review · Journal of Cleaner Production
Around 300 million tonnes of phosphogypsum are generated annually as a byproduct of global phosphate fertiliser manufacturing. Currently, approximately 58 percent is stored in stacks, 28 percent is released into coastal waters, and only 14 percent undergoes further processing. An evaluation of samples from 67 industrial storage sites worldwide, alongside laboratory-synthesised materials, examines the physical and chemical characteristics of phosphogypsum derived from both sedimentary and magmatic phosphate ores. Low-level radioactivity, especially prevalent in material derived from sedimentary rock, represents the primary obstacle to utilising phosphogypsum as a raw feed in construction. In addition, water-soluble and volatile chemical compounds present the foremost challenges to sound environmental management. Although stored phosphogypsum rarely presents an immediate hazard to surrounding environments, processing the entire volume rather than discarding or stacking it is recommended to prevent long-term liabilities and reclaim valuable secondary resources.
Phosphate fertiliser production generates vast quantities of phosphogypsum that are typically dumped in coastal waters or stockpiled on land. Understanding the material properties and chemical challenges of this byproduct is crucial for transitioning toward circular economy practices, reducing potential long-term environmental risks, and turning an underutilised industrial waste stream into a secondary raw material.
The primary commercial opportunity identified is using phosphogypsum as an alternative raw material in construction. Potential users include building material manufacturers and industrial waste management firms. Commercialisation remains constrained by technical barriers, notably low radioactivity from sedimentary sources and soluble contaminants, indicating that scalable applications require targeted purification or processing methods before broad market uptake can occur.
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Nearly 300 million t of phosphogypsum (PG) are produced every year as a byproduct from phosphate fertilizer production worldwide. Approximately 58% of the PG are stacked, 28% are discharged in coastal waters and only 14% are further processed. This critical review provides an overview of the physical-chemical properties of PG produced from sedimentary and magmatic phosphate ore worldwide using various analytical tools. Results from more than 25 years of work on PG at École des Mines de Saint-Étienne are presented and critically discussed. In total PG samples from 67 industrial storage sites around the world and PG samples synthesized under different conditions in the laboratory have been considered. The low radioactivity present in PG (particularly PG produced from sedimentary phosphate rock) was identified as the main challenge to using PG as a raw material in construction. Water-soluble and volatile chemical compounds were identified as the main challenge to environmentally sound PG management. Although PG does (in most cases) not pose an immediate threat to the environment the authors recommend processing all PG instead of storing or disposing it, to eliminate potential long-term risks and utilize a relevant secondary resource.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137561
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