The Chemical Composition of Phosphogypsum Disposal Piles in Aqaba-Jordan and the Physic-mechanical Treatments to Separate the Gypsum Group and Heavy Minerals

Abstract

The alteration products of fertilizer industry from phosphate rocks produce Phosphogypsum as a side-product, where it containsconsiderable amounts of Gypsum and Anhydrite. The accumulated amounts of Phosphogypsumin Aqaba area over the last three decades are estimated to be more than 70 million metric tons.These products can be economically important when of the accompanied undesirable substances; mainly the radioactive elements and toxic materials have been removed. The radioactive elements,which believed to contribute natural radionuclides in the environment of Phosphogypsumdisposals, are Uranium, Thorium, Potassium 40 and the Radon gas.The rainfall on these piles isinfiltrated into the pour spaces downward and therefore Gypsum exists in the bottom of these deposits withno Anhydrite records.