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The most common components of the Negev phosphorites are phosphate peloids (undifferentiated brown ovoid grains lacking internal structure). A systematic study of these peloids indicates that they are the result of convergent diagenetic processes, the more important being: 1, growth around a foreign grain (usually a foraminifer); 2, phospho-micritization of bone fragments; 3, fragmentation and abrasion of intraclasts (laminated and unlaminated); 4, pelletization of aggregates; and 5, phosphatization and fragmentation of faecal pellets. The Negev 'pelletal phosphorites' (as well as others), and what the French call 'phosphate sableux' are therefore the products of diagenesis.
