The history of China as told through phosphorus

(Phys.org)—Phosphorus is a necessary component of fertilizers needed for agriculture. In 2013 about 225 million tons of phosphate was extracted predominantly for fertilizer use. This rate could diminish the Earth's phosphorus stores and upset phosphorus cycling. China is the world's largest producer of phosphate rock (48% of the world's supply in 2013). It also uses a large amount of phosphorus to sustain its growing population.

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