Questions and Answers
What are some varieties of limestone?
Travertine, tufa, caliche, chalk
How is limestone formed through the process of evaporation?
Water droplets on cave walls evaporate, leaving behind calcium carbonate
What is the primary composition of limestone?
50% calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
How is mechanical transport and deposition involved in the formation of limestone?
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What causes limestone to change color from white or gray?
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Study Notes
Varieties of Limestone
- There are several varieties of limestone, including fossiliferous, lithographic, and oolitic limestone.
Formation of Limestone
- Limestone is formed through the process of evaporation, where calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitates out of solution and accumulates on the sea floor or lake bed.
Composition of Limestone
- Limestone is primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which is derived from the skeletal fragments of marine organisms, such as coral, foraminifera, and mollusks.
Mechanical Transport and Deposition
- Mechanical transport and deposition play a crucial role in the formation of limestone, where waves, currents, and tidal action transport calcium carbonate particles and deposit them in a new location.
Color Variation in Limestone
- Limestone can change color from white or gray due to the presence of impurities, such as iron oxide, which can cause a reddish or yellowish tint, or manganese, which can cause a pinkish or brownish tint.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the formation process of limestone, which can originate from organisms and foraminifera. Learn about how calcium carbonate deposits accumulate in water, the role of previous life forms in the ocean, and the process of evaporation that contributes to limestone formation.
