Environmental Science: Detailed Limestone Formation Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of limestone, a significant sedimentary rock primarily composed of calcium carbonate. The report details the formation process of limestone, differentiating between non-clastic, chemical/inorganic, biochemical, and clastic types, and explains how it forms through the compaction of small rock particles, often aided by marine organisms or evaporation. The report describes the appearance, composition, and characteristics of different types of limestone, such as chalk and coquina, along with its mineral composition. Furthermore, the report highlights the diverse applications of limestone, particularly in construction, where its strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion make it a fundamental building material. The document concludes by emphasizing the importance of limestone and its wide-ranging uses.

Running head: BLOOD FROM STONE 1
Blood from Stone
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BLOOD FROM STONE 2
LIMESTONE
Introduction
Limestone is a form of sedimentary rock. Mostly half of limestone is made up of calcium
carbonate (Eldrett, 2015). This rock can be classified according to the formation process. Non-clastic,
chemical or inorganic limestone forms by precipitation from water. Biochemical limestone forms via
secretion by such marine organs as algae and coral. The shells of dead sea creatures can form bioclastic
limestone while clastic limestone forms from the cementation sand by calcite. Depending on formation,
limestone can be clastic or non-clastic in texture. Its grain size varies, comprising of all sizes of clasts.
Limestone is generally hard with its colour varying, mostly being light coloured, grey through yellow.
Clastic limestone has the whole shell fragment visible unlike the chemical limestone (Keller, 2012).
Depending on composition, limestone can be smooth to rough to touch. The following are figures of
variety of limestone:
Figure 1 : Limestone image by Pexels Figure 2: Limestone image by
Pexels
Procedure
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BLOOD FROM STONE 3
Being a sedimentary rock, limestone is formed from small rock particles that are compacted by
pressure. The formation is either aided by living organisms or by vaporisation. Living organisms such as
coral and oysters consume calcium carbonate present in sea water then form shells and bones. Later,
when these organisms die, waves break down their shells and bones to settle on the ocean floor where
they are compacted over millions of years, eventually forming limestone from the sediments and water
pressure. The other method involves evaporation of water containing particles of calcium carbonate
thus leaving behind the sediment deposits. Eventually, limestone forms after water pressure compacts
the sediment (Eldrett, 2015).
Limestone mainly forms in shallow, warm marine waters. This marine environment is conducive
for the organisms to create calcium carbonate shells. The environment favours extraction of needed
ingredients by the skeletons from the ocean water. Limestone can also form well in evaporative
environment. The flow chart below illustrates limestone formation;
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Living organisms found on the shallow areas of the sea
consume calcium carbonate to form shell and bones
As these organisms die, their
skeletons are left on the sea
floor of the shallow shoreline
Water exerts pressure on the sediment and remains of the dead
organisms thus compacting them over millions of years to form
limestone

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Results
The final rock formed can be described based on the appearance, composition and other
factors. For instance, chalk and coquina. Chalk is a smooth limestone whose texture is fine. It is normally
white or light gray in colour. Chalk forms from the calcareous rock remains. Coquina on the other hand
is an irregularly cemented limestone. It is made of broken shell debris (TANG, 2010).
Figure 4: Chalk Figure 5: Coquina
The main mineral composition of limestone is calcium carbonate which comprises at least 50% of the
rock. The other minerals include quartz, feldspar, siderite, pyrite, and clay minerals (TANG, 2010). Due to
its composition, limestone is put in many different uses compared to any other stone. Mainly, it is made
into crushed stone and used in construction. Other uses of limestone include the formation of lime,
chalk, mine safety dust and as an animal feed filler.
Conclusions
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BLOOD FROM STONE 5
Limestone is a precious mineral since it can be put into numerous uses. Mainly, as a building material, it
is essential for the construction industry; from houses, bridges to base of roads. The high strength,
durability and resistance to corrosion makes limestone the most fundamental rock component in
construction.
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BLOOD FROM STONE 6
References
Eldrett, J. S. (2015, January 27). Origin of limestone–marlstone cycles: astronomic forcing of organic-rich
sedimentary rocks from the Cenomanian to early Coniacian of the Cretaceous Western Interior
Seaway, USA. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 98-113.
Keller, E. A. (2012). Introduction to environmental geology. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
TANG, Z. Y. (2010). Analysis of rocks and minerals [J]. Chinese Journal of Analysis Laboratory, 12.
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