Definition of phosphorite in English:
phosphorite
noun ˈfɒsfərʌɪtˈfɑsfəˌraɪt
mass nounA sedimentary rock containing a high proportion of calcium phosphate.
Example sentencesExamples
- Fossiliferous, thin marine shales, associated with biochemical precipitates such as glauconite and phosphorite, are common in transgressive systems tracts.
- Then, in 1987, the ‘Phosphorite War’ broke out when Soviet plans to extract northeast Estonia's large deposits of phosphorite galvanized opposition throughout the country.
- The late Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation in South China contains several exceptionally preserved biotas in its cherts, phosphorites, and black shales.
- Under such conditions biogenic carbonate may be replaced by phosphorite (as off the coast of South Africa beneath the Benguela Current).
- The phosphorite marks the base of the Roberts Mountains Formation at this locality.
Origin
Late 18th century: from phosphorus + -ite1.
Definition of phosphorite in US English:
phosphorite
nounˈfɑsfəˌraɪtˈfäsfəˌrīt
A sedimentary rock containing a high proportion of calcium phosphate.
Example sentencesExamples
- Under such conditions biogenic carbonate may be replaced by phosphorite (as off the coast of South Africa beneath the Benguela Current).
- The late Neoproterozoic Doushantuo Formation in South China contains several exceptionally preserved biotas in its cherts, phosphorites, and black shales.
- The phosphorite marks the base of the Roberts Mountains Formation at this locality.
- Fossiliferous, thin marine shales, associated with biochemical precipitates such as glauconite and phosphorite, are common in transgressive systems tracts.
- Then, in 1987, the ‘Phosphorite War’ broke out when Soviet plans to extract northeast Estonia's large deposits of phosphorite galvanized opposition throughout the country.
Origin
Late 18th century: from phosphorus + -ite.