Apparently it's material left over from processing:
The stacks’ collapse could lead to slightly radioactive material being spewed into the surrounding area. Phosphogypsum results from producing fertilizer from phosphate. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates it because in concentrated quantities it can be radioactive.
Process water is also a chemical byproduct of phosphate mining. Because it is rich in nitrogen and phosphorous, it typically undergoes a cleaning process before it is released into local waterways. Due to the emergency, that’s not happening.
Apparently it's material left over from processing:
> The stacks’ collapse could lead to slightly radioactive material being spewed into the surrounding area. Phosphogypsum results from producing fertilizer from phosphate. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates it because in concentrated quantities it can be radioactive.
>
> Process water is also a chemical byproduct of phosphate mining. Because it is rich in nitrogen and phosphorous, it typically undergoes a cleaning process before it is released into local waterways. Due to the emergency, that’s not happening.
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