Abstract
Shidiya Phosphorites, Southeast Jordan, provide a typical example of natural geological materials depleted with potentially toxic elements as compared to other phosphate deposits from all over the World. Nevertheless, the environmental concern as to whether processing and fertilizer production might affect the potentially toxic element concentrations in these phosphates positively or negatively has to be avoided. In order to do so, this study was designed to provide information on the redistribution pathways of the measured toxic elements during the several processing steps, including crushing, screening, washing, flotation and drying processes. It aimed also at providing information on the redistribution pathways during the different phosphate fertilizer production steps. The bioavailability of potentially toxic elements in acidic and alkaline environments has also been assessed.
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Acknowledgments
The senior author would like to express sincere thanks to the Jordan Phosphate Mines Company, the Higher Council for Science and Technology (Jordan) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for providing financial aid and a scholarship. The authors acknowledge the critical reading of the manuscript by the referees of the journal and the language improvements made by an anonymous reviewer.
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Al-Hwaiti, M., Matheis, G. & Saffarini, G. Mobilization, redistribution and bioavailability of potentially toxic elements in Shidiya phosphorites, Southeast Jordan. Env Geol 47, 431–444 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-004-1173-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-004-1173-2