Elemental analysis of two Egyptian phosphate rock mines by instrumental neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry

Because of the increasing use of phosphate in industry world wide, it is interesting to investigate the elemental concentration in phosphate ores. The present work determines the elemental analysis of two different types of phosphate ores, containing different amounts of P2O5 to check the level of the radioactive elements U and Th and of stable environmental pollutants like Cr, Zn in phosphate raw material. In addition, rare earth and other elements are analysed by the INAA method. This knowledge is found to be important in the assessment of possible radiological hazards to human health, since these materials may be used as building material or as phosphatic fertilizers and animal feed ingredients.