Phosphate Rock What is it? What does it do?

PHOSPHATE ROCK

Phosphate rock is a sedimentary rock that consists (made up) mainly of calcium phosphate together with other minerals such as calcium carbonate. Where does all the calcium come from, you ask? Sea shells, corals and the like. As they die, their shells, which are primarily made up of calcium, settle to the bottom of the ocean in layer after layer. Over millions of years large deposits are formed.

Millions of years ago, a lot of the earth, that is now dry land, was under water. Florida is a prime example of this. Florida is the leading producer of phosphate rock in the United States. It all goes back to a clam or oyster or scallop millions of years ago.

Phosphate rock is used to make much of the fertilizers used in agriculture. Without it, I think our food supply would not be what it is today!

Without potash how would we grow corn to feed her to get milk?