Phosphorite, phosphate rock or rock phosphate is a nondetrital sedimentary rock that contains high amounts of phosphate phosphate content of phosphorite (or grade of phosphate rock) varies greatly, from 4% to 20% phosphorus pentoxide (P 2 O 5).Marketed phosphate rock is enriched ("beneficiated") to at least 28%, often more than 30% P 2 O .