Limestone rocks are used in agriculture and other industries. This is one of the stones which has the maximum usage in many ways. When crushed, the stone is used in building material as concrete. Many rocks that we come across everyday are made up of a mixture of different minerals, but limestone is made up of only one mineral, that is Calcite. This rock is one of the softest rocks present on the earth, and also has little fossils attached with these rocks.

Limestone is formed at the bottom of the sea, and is composed of fossils of Dead Sea creatures and some shells that get assembled at the bottom of the oceans. There are also many other sediments which get attached to this substance. With the passage of time, due to the immense pressure of the water above this substance, a cemented layer is formed, which later forms a hardcore rock. When used in pure form, it is hard enough to be used on counters and floors.

Limestone is one of the most popular stones for the architectural purposes especially in places like North America and Europe. It is also used as base material for the roads and foundations, and in the laboratories and scientific purposes like purification of glass. It also removes impurities from the molten form of iron where it is used in the blast furnace. It is used in the production of Portland cement and in daily life as filler and abrasive in toothpaste. It is also the producer of quicklime and slaked lime and many other chemicals. Read more…

Calcite in the limestone commonly originates from marine organisms but can also be present through groundwater that precipitated the material.

Calcite can either be precipitated or dissolved by ground water depending on several environmental factors. It can become less soluble as the water temperature increases -a peculiar characteristic. In the right conditions, calcite forms mineral coatings that glue the rock grains together or fill cracks and fractures in the stone.

*Limestone Colouring*

The varying colours prevalent in this stone derive from the impurities that are present, especially on weathered surfaces. These impurities can be clay, organic remains, sand and iron oxide. Formations of the stone can be crystalline, granular, clastic or massive and can be classified more precisely as Folk and Dunham. Read more…