What is Limestone?
Limestone is a rock made of calcite. Most limestone is grey, but all colours of limestone from white to black have been found. Scientists test natural rock to see if it is limestone by pouring cold diluted hydrochloric or sulphuric acid (10% solution or vinegar) on it. Limestone gives off bubbles of carbon dioxide.
Most fresh water and sea water contain dissolved calcium carbonate. All limestone’s are formed when the calcium carbonate crystallizes out of solution. Or from the skeletons of small sea urchins and coral All the different kinds can be divided into 2 groups.
What is Limestone Used For?
- Acid rain – neutralization of acid lake waters
- Agriculture – soil stabilization and pH control
- Air quality – neutralizes sulphur dioxide gases from industrial processes such as smelting metal ores and coal fired generating stations
- Aluminum
- Aggregate for concrete and road building
- Artificial Waterfalls
- Asphalt
- Building construction – bricks, mortar, plasters
- Building Stones
- Candles
- Cement
- Ceramics
- Concrete
- Cosmetics
- Cotton – bleach
- Dyes – manufacture and purification
- Floor tiles
- Foundations
- Fungicides
- Glass
- Glue
- Gelatine
- Hazardous waste disposal – PCB sludge solidification and neutralization
- Landscaping
- Neutralizing acid mine drainage
- Oil – purification of oils and gasoline
- Ore extraction
- Paint
- Paper production
- Pesticides
- Pharmacuticals – asprin, penicillin etc..
- Plastics
- Poultry grit – shell-forming material
- Road Beds
- Rubber
- Soap
- Soda Pop – makes the bubbles in pop
- Solid waste disposal: stabilizes sludge from sewage and desulphurizing plants.
- Smelting Iron Ore
- Steel making
- Sugar, purification of sugar beets.
- Tanning of leather
- Tomb Stones
- Toothpaste
- Waste water treatment – removes phosphorous and nitrogen, odor control, kills bacteria and aids in clarification
- Water Treatment – drinking water clarification
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