Limestone outcrop in the Torcal de Antequera nature reserve of Málaga, Spain
Composition
Calcium carbonate: inorganic crystalline calcite or organic calcareous material
Limestone (calcium carbonate CaCO3) is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of CaCO3. Limestone forms when these minerals precipitate out of water containing dissolved calcium. This can take place through both biological and nonbiological processes, though biological processes, such as the accumulation of corals and shells in the sea, have likely been more important for the last 540 million years.[1][2] Limestone often contains fossils which provide scientists with information on ancient environments and on the evolution of life.[3]
About 20% to 25% of sedimentary rock is carbonate rock, and most of this is limestone.[4][3] The remaining carbonate rock is mostly dolomite, a closely related rock, which contains a high percentage of the mineral dolomite, CaMg(CO3)2. Magnesian limestone is an obsolete and poorly-defined term used variously for dolomite, for limestone containing significant dolomite (dolomitic limestone), or for any other limestone containing a significant percentage of magnesium.[5] Most limestone was formed in shallow marine environments, such as continental shelves or platforms, though smaller amounts were formed in many other environments. Much dolomite is secondary dolomite, formed by chemical alteration of limestone.[6][7] Limestone is exposed over large regions of the Earth's surface, and because limestone is slightly soluble in rainwater, these exposures often are eroded to become karst landscapes. Most cave systems are found in limestone bedrock.
Limestone has numerous uses: as a chemical feedstock for the production of lime used for cement (an essential component of concrete), as aggregate for the base of roads, as white pigment or filler in products such as toothpaste or paints, as a soil conditioner, and as a popular decorative addition to rock gardens. Limestone formations contain about 30% of the world's petroleum reservoirs.[3]
^Boggs, Sam (2006). Principles of sedimentology and stratigraphy (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall. pp. 177, 181. ISBN 0-13-154728-3.
^Leong, Goh Cheng (27 October 1995). Certificate Physics And Human Geography; Indian Edition. Oxford University Press. p. 62. ISBN 0-19-562816-0.
^ abcBoggs 2006, p. 159.
^Blatt, Harvey; Tracy, Robert J. (1996). Petrology : igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic (2nd ed.). New York: W.H. Freeman. pp. 295–300. ISBN 0-7167-2438-3.
^Jackson, Julia A., ed. (1997). "Magnesian limestone". Glossary of geology (Fourth ed.). Alexandria, Virginia: American Geological Institute. ISBN 0-922152-34-9.
^Blatt, Harvey; Middleton, Gerard; Murray, Raymond (1980). Origin of sedimentary rocks (2d ed.). Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall. pp. 446, 510–531. ISBN 0-13-642710-3.
Limestone (calcium carbonate CaCO3) is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the...
Fossiliferous limestone is a type of limestone that contains noticeable quantities of fossils or fossil traces. If a particular type of fossil dominates...
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the Ford Station Limestone, Tygett Sandstone and Cora Limestone Members. This sandstone unit is 0-120' thick. The Menard Limestone is a geologic formation...
Illinois Limestone Township, Peoria County, Illinois Limestone Township, Jewell County, Kansas Limestone Township, Alger County, Michigan Limestone Township...
"Trenton Limestone". Indiana Geological and Water Survey. Indiana University. Retrieved 6 July 2020. Orton, Edward (1889). "THE TRENTON LIMESTONE AS A SOURCE...
A limestone pavement is a natural karst landform consisting of a flat, incised surface of exposed limestone that resembles an artificial pavement. The...
Lutetian limestone (in French, calcaire lutécien, and formerly calcaire grossier) — also known as “Paris stone” — is a variety of limestone particular...
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Limestone University, formerly Limestone College, is a private Christian university in Gaffney, South Carolina. It was established in 1845 by Thomas Curtis...
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Indiana limestone (also known as Bedford limestone) is a form of limestone used as a building material, particularly for monumental public structures....
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Mosta and Naxxar. This is a hard limestone which is pale grey in colour, and comparable to the Upper Coralline Limestone. At the top of this unit a hardground...
James (1988). Joliet-Lemont Limestone (PDF). Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois. Retrieved 10 March 2023. "Limestoned". Various Contributors to...
Ophioglossum engelmannii, commonly known as the limestone adder's-tongue, is a species of fern native to the Western Hemisphere. It is widespread and...
Tower karst are tall rock structures made up of soluble rock such as limestone. Tower karst forms as near-vertical joints and fractures are eroded downward...
Lake Limestone is a 13,680 acres (55.4 km2) reservoir near Thornton, Texas [1]. It lies 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Groesbeck, Texas on Texas FM 3371...
the result of unequal erosion. The escarpment's caprock is dolomitic limestone, also known as dolostone, which is more resistant and overlies weaker...
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