TITLE:
Efficiency of Natural Phosphate (Apatite) Dissolution by Vegetal Organic Matter
AUTHORS:
Kokou Justin Agoudou, Amine Ezzariai, Diyakadola Dihéénane Bafai, Bassaï Magnoudéwa Bodjona, Moursalou Koriko, Mohamed Hafidi, Gado Tchangbedji
KEYWORDS:
Natural Phosphate, Apatite, Available Phosphorus, Organic Matter, Compost, Dissolution
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.13 No.6,
October
30,
2025
ABSTRACT: Natural phosphates (Apatite) are the main sources of phosphorus, one of the three major chemical elements for plant development. The present work aims to study the efficiency of dissolution of natural phosphate from Togo during composting of a mixture of this ore with different types of vegetal matter. Phospho-composts of mixtures of ore and cow dung (A+P), poultry droppings (B+P), nymphea (C+P), domestic organic waste (D+P) and vegetal organic composts without phosphate (A, B, C and D) were elaborated. Determination of available phosphorus concentrations by the colorimetry method (HACH DR 3800) in composts and phospho-composts was realized. Analysis results revealed that organic matter has a solubilizing effect on natural phosphate. Nymphea phospho-compost has the best ore dissolved because its assimilable phosphorus content is the highest (0.88%). These results also showed that phospho-composts maturation time has a beneficial effect on the ore dissolution.