ISSN: 2410-9649 Siddique et al / Chemistry International 4(1) (2018) 1-6 iscientic.org. 1 www.bosaljournals/chemint/ editorci@bosaljournals.com Article type: Research article Article history: Received June 2017 Accepted October 2017 January 2018 Issue Keywords: Pollution Metals Rocks Nutrients Spectroscopy Photometry This study focuses on fundamental scrutiny of phosphate rock samples in order to investigate the elemental composition (Zinc, Cadmium, Lead, Sodium and Potassium) by Flame Photometry & Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The samples have been collected from Hazara Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Peshawar. Relative study on heavy metal content and nutrients was performed to find out the comparative resources quality. The sample S5 exhibits highest Cadmium contents while S6 shows higher concentration of other metals. The local resources indicate higher quantity of Lead (Pb). The remedy for this excessive amount of Pb may probably be done by complete separation and disposal of waste phosphogypsum. The phosphate rocks found in the region are good enough to be utilized as raw material for fertilizer manufacturing plants. © 2018 International Scientific Organization: All rights reserved. Capsule Summary: The elemental analysis of heavy metals and nutrients was performed atomic absorption spectroscopy to determine phosphate rock quality in Pakistan. Cite This Article As: A. Siddique, A. Hassan, S. R. Khan, A. Inayat, A. Nazir and M. Iqbal. Appraisal of heavy metals and nutrients from phosphate rocks, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Chemistry International 4(1) (2018) 1-6. INTRODUCTION Phosphate is generally employed for the manufacturing of fertilizers. It is the minor constituent of many products like light bulbs, toothpastes, flame-resistant fabrics, detergent manufacturing, livestock and poultry feed etc. (Javied et al., 2008; Mar and Okazaki, 2012; Huang et al., 2017). Phosphate rock (PR) is natural mineral deposits belongs to the species of apatite family. Apatite is a primary phosphate mineral that can differ significantly in physical, chemical, and crystallographic properties (Ahialey et al., 2014; Liu et al., 2017). Mostly PR deposits include variety of carbonate- fluorapatite, grouped under the collective name of francolite. Sedimentary phosphate deposits display varying compositions and physical forms and found in formations from different ages (Abouzeid, 2008; Dargahi et al., 2016). Igneous phosphates include silica deficient intrusions. The apatite linked with these rocks may probably be of a primary magmatic and hydrothermal or secondary origin. The guano type phosphate deposits are the best known natural fertilizers due to extraordinarily higher quantity of nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphate PO4 3- and potassium (K) vital for plant development. Guano type rock Chemistry International 4(1) (2018) 1-6 Appraisal of heavy metals and nutrients from phosphate rocks, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Abubakar Siddique 1 , Abida Hassan 2 , Shahid Rehman Khan 3 , Asma Inayat 3 , Arif Nazir 1, * and Munawar Iqbal 1 1 Department of Chemistry, University of Lahore, Lahore-Pakistan 2 Department of Chemistry, Govt. College of Science Wahdat Road, Lahore-Pakistan 3 Applied Chemistry Research Centre, PCSIR Labs Complex Ferozepur Road, Lahore-Pakistan *Corresponding Author Email: anmalik77@gmail.com ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT