Fig 1.
Landsat and geologic map images.
These images show the location and geology of the study area at Abu-Tartur plateau, Western Desert Egypt.
Table 1.
Applied experimental parameters. This table elaborates the prevailing conditions during the phosphorus (P) leaching experiments from the prepared phosphatic rocks (PRs) by acetic acid (AA).
Fig 2.
This photograph shows the stratigraphy of Duwi Formation: (a) Eastern part, (b) Western part of Liffyia - Maghrabi Sector in Abu Tartur mine.
Fig 3.
These images display the high-grade phosphate (HMP) in PPL (a, c and e) and XPL visions (b, d and f): Peloid grains (PL), Dolomite rhombs (D), Ooids (O), Fish bones (FB), Quartz (Q) and Iron oxide (F); Medium-grade phosphate (MMP) in PPL (g), and low-grade phosphates in XPL visions (h and i): Peloid grains (PL), Evaporites (Eva), Dolomite rhombs (D), Quartz (Q) and Glauconite (G).
Table 2.
XRF results. This table illustrates the chemical composition of the prepared PRs: HMP, HNP, MMP, MNP, LMP and LNP.
Fig 4.
These patterns display the precursor micro-size PR samples in comparison with its modified nano-sized samples: HMP/ HNP (a), MMP/ MNP (b) and (c) LMP/LNP.
Fig 5.
These spectra display the precursor micro-size PR samples (HMP, MMP and LMP) in comparison with its modified nano-sized samples, HNP, MNP and LNP.
Fig 6.
These are the images of HMP (a and b), HNP (c and d), MMP (e and f), MNP (g and h), LMP (i and j) and LNP (k and l).
Fig 7.
N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms.
These are the isotherms of HMP/HNP (a), MMP/MNP (b) and LMP/LNP (c).
Table 3.
Textural parameters. This table displays the textural parameters of micro- and nano-size PR fractions obtained from N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms.
Fig 8.
Acetic acid (AA) leaching studies.
These studies highlight the effects of AA concentration (a) and reaction time (b) on P dissolution rate of both micro- and nanosized PR fractions, as well as the magnitude of P dissolution rate along five leaching cycles of both micro- and nanosized PR fractions (c) during reusability studies.
Table 4.
Elemental analysis. This table displays the chemical composition of some selected nutrients in the liquidous phase after the applied acetic acid (AA) leaching process for the prepared phosphatic rocks (PRs).