William C. Burnett, Michael Schultz and Carter Hull, Florida State University. Nearly all of this material is stockpiled because radioactive impurities prevent utilization of what could otherwise be a useful agricultural amendment or construction material. Long-term storage and maintenance of this material presents economlc as well as potential environmental concerns.
Ammonium sulfate is an excellent fertilizer which supplies sulfur as well as nitrogen to soils.
Results indicate that the radionuclides associated with phosphogypsum do not report to the ammonium sulfate product but are found instead almost exclusively in the by-product calcium carbonate. Thus the radiochemical results are encouraging in terms of using this process as an option for partial removal of waste phosphogypsum. Although there is a clear and recognized need for increased sulfur addition to many crops, the price of sulfur has been so low and alternative supplies of ammonium sulfate so common that investment in this process has been discouraged. Recent price increases and enhanced demand for ammonium sulfate may make the Merseberg process more attractive in the future.