This brochure is intended for the general public. An alternate version is intended for researchers, scientists, engineers.

The cover picture above is of the Alafia River. In late 1997 acidic process water from a phosphogypsum stack spilled into the Alafia, causing a massive fish kill and damage to the river's aquatic life and ecosystem. Since then, FIPR has been involved in studying ways to deal with process water and minimize environmental risk.

What is the FIPR Institute?

The Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute (FIPR Institute) was established by Florida law in June 2010. This legislation transformed the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research into a research institute within the University of South Florida Polytechnic. It also broadened the Institute's research program into non-phosphate topics such as energy, and the mining and processing of minerals other than phosphate. However, phosphate-related research will continue to be the focus of the Institute.

Originally, the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research (FIPR) was created in 1978 as a state agency to study phosphate issues that impact Florida’s citizens, environment and economy and to be a phosphate information resource.

Scientists and engineers throughout the world apply for FIPR Institute grants to conduct phosphate-related studies supporting the mission of the Institute: improving the environment, protecting public health and increasing mining and processing efficiency. FIPR Institute staff biologists, engineers and chemists also conduct in-house research.

Independent panels of experts and FIPR Institute research directors review proposals and make funding recommendations to the Institute's Board of Directors.

Board members make funding decisions at public meetings held three times a year. Multi-year projects must be reviewed and approved annually for continued funding.

The Institute's Board of Directors consists of two phosphate industry representatives and one environmentalist appointed by the Governor of Florida, a regulatory representative appointed by the Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the Chief Executive Officer of the University of South Florida Polytechnic.

The FIPR Institute's phosphate research is funded with a portion of the phosphate severance tax. Non-phosphate related research must be funded through other sources.

Examples of the FIPR Institute's work

	Studying the reclamation of wetlands, uplands, clay ponds, and wildlife habitats.
Using wetlands built on clay settling areas and a sand tailing filter area to clean wastewater and potentially provide a new water source.
	Studying economic and safe ways to clean acidic water, produced when making phosphoric acid, that is stored in ponds like these on top of phosphogypsum stacks.
Developing new ways, such as the Rail-Veyor pictured here, to transport phosphate materials and decrease dependence on high-energy pumping and trucking.
	Finding safe and economic uses for the millions of tons of phosphogypsum created and stacked each year.
Comparing radioactivity and heavy metals in fish caught in phosphate pit lakes to those caught in natural lakes.

The FIPR Institute as an information resource

Integral to the Institute is the sharing of information it generates and collects.
Toward this end, the Institute provides:

• A full-service library, open to the public, and part of the USF Library System that contains the largest collection of phosphate-related information in the world. The library is also able to access technical references through extensive on-line resources.

• Published final FIPR Institute research reports and those of the former Florida Institute of Phosphate Research, available free of charge.

• Seminars, conferences, and workshops on subjects pertaining to its research program.

• A K-12 education program that uses the Institute's expertise to teach teachers and students about phosphate. The rigorous and relevant phosphate information can be used to build language arts, science, social studies and math curricula that correlate to the Florida Sunshine State Standards.

The Institute exists for the citizens of Florida. The public is welcome to call, visit or contact us by email for more information. Tour our web site to find out more about our research and programs.

USF Polytechnic Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute
1855 W. Main Street • Bartow, FL 33830
Phone: (863) 534-7160 Fax: (863) 534-7165
www.fipr.poly.usf.edu