Analysis of rock phosphates by x-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Elemental composition of phosphate fertilizers is of interest because of the possible migration of elements from the fertilizers to soil and plants, and via the food chain, to human beings where this may result in health effects. Several methods have so far been used for the measurement of both toxic elements and radionuclide concentrations in phosphate fertilizers. In this work the use of x-ray fluorescence is described and elemental compositions of rock phosphate samples of different origin are presented.