Study of Phosphorous oxide (P2O5) and Iron oxide (Fe2O3) in rock phosphate of Hazara basin of Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan is an agricultural economy country that relies on fertilizers. Among these fertilizers, phosphatic fertilizers play a vital role in plant growth and soil fertility. The efficiency of fertilizers depends on the quality of rock composition. Assessment of rock phosphate from different areas of hazara division of Pakistan is done. Analyses showed that these sources contained P₂O₅ from 19to 30% and Fe₂O₃ from 0.80 to 2.51%. Deposits of Qalandar Abad contained high Fe₂O₃ contents i. e 2.36%. Whereas, deposits of Lagar Ban contains only 0.9 % Fe₂O₃. Deposits of Tornai – Mangal contained Fe₂O₃ about 1.25 % and in the other hand contain P₂O₅ about 30 % and are ideal for fertilizers. Deposits of Kakool and Tornai are highly suitable for current fertilizer processes.