Phurcalite is a calcium uranyl hydrated phosphate, and is radioactive.

The significance of the mineral phurcalite rests with the treatment of nuclear waste materials. The UO2 in spent nuclear fuels is unstable, as it willl oxidise and corrode with time. This may result in the release of actinides and other fission products to the environment.

Phosphates such as phurcalite are stable in an oxidising environment, so it may be possible to incorporate the products of the spent nuclear waste into phosphates. Studies have found that incorporation of the UO2 into phosphates prevents the possible migration into the environment.