Thermal decomposition of struvite

Struvite (NH₄MgPO₄·6H₂O) is a mineral often found in urinary tracts and kidneys. Thermal decomposition using slow low heating shows that the 'kidney' stone can be decomposed at temperatures below 40°C. At this temperature both ammonia and water are evolved. If more rapid heating is employed the decomposition occurs at around 80°C. The implication of this work rests with the use of low slow heat for the decomposition of the kidney stones. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.