Abstract: There are four types of algal phosphorite in the Doushantuo Formation, i.e. columnar, mound, clotted and spherical algal phosphorites. The elements of the microstructures forming the algal phosphorites are phosphatic algal filaments, algal spheres, filamentary.aggregates, radiospherical aggregates, pellets, clots, intraclasts and sparry apatite. The phosphatic algal filaments and spheres are algal remains which were replaced by phosphates later. The filamentary aggregates and radiospherical aggregates are composed of micritic and fibrous apatite. They, might be phosphatized algal remains but have been destroyed by recrystallization of apatite. The pellets, clots and intraclasts in algal phosphorites are products trapped and bound in algal activity. The sparry apatite was directly precipitated from seawater and formed cements in interstices between pellets, clots and intraclasts. Phosphorites in the Doushantuo Formation tended to be deposited in the pericontinental sea, rather than the epicontinental sea. In the pericontinental sea, phosphates are commonly accumulated and form ore deposits in shallow-water areas connected with deep water. The sedimentary environment ot algal phosphorites is mainly represented by an intertidal zone near an uplift.