Spatial and temporal controls on the formation of phosphate deposits - a review.

Abstract

After a brief consideration of igneous apatite deposits and guano, a detailed discussion is given of phosphorite deposits and occurrences. Such phosphate deposits are neither uniformly nor randomly distributed throughout the world or through geological time. The more important features responsible for directly influencing their distribution include latitude, climatic zone, structural location, temporal features, orogenic episodes, changing oceanic circulation, sea-level changes and global warming or cooling.-R.A.H.