Carbonate rocks

CONTENTS
 Introduction
 Classification of limestone
 Folk Classification
 Dunham Classification
 Properties Of Dolostone
 Formation Of Dolostone
 Uses Of Carbonate Rocks
 Conclusion
 Reference

INTRODUCTION
Sedimentary rocks of chemical and biochemical origin are
divided into two groups : evaporites and non-evaporites. Non-
evaporites constitute the bulk of chemical and biochemical
rocks. Among the non-evaporites the most important are the
carbonate rocks.
Carbonate rocks are a class of sedimentary rocks
composed primarily of carbonate minerals. The two major types
are limestone, which is composed of calcite or aragonite
(different crystal forms of CaCO3) and dolostone, which is
composed of the mineral dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2).

Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the
minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal
forms of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Many limestones are
composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms
such as coral or foraminifera.
Limestone makes up about 10% of the total volume of all
sedimentary rocks. The solubility of limestone in water and
weak acid solutions leads to karst landscapes, in which
water erodes the limestone over thousands to millions of
years. Most caves systems are through limestone bedrock.
LIMESTONE

DOLOSTONE
Dolomite is a carbonate mineral composed of calcium-
magnesium carbonate CaMg(CO3)2. The term is also
used to describe the sedimentary carbonate rock
dolostone.
Dolostone (dolomite rock) is composed predominantly of
the mineral dolomite with a stoichiometric ratio of 50% or
greater content of magnesium replacing calcium, often
as a result of diagenesis. Limestone that is partially
replaced by dolomite is referred to as dolomitic limestone

CLASSIFICATION OF
LIMESTONE
Two major classification schemes, are used for identifying
limestone and carbonate rocks
 Folkclassification
 Dunham classification

FOLK CLASSIFICATION
Robert L. Folk developed a classification system that places
primary emphasis on the detailed composition of grains and
interstitial material in carbonate rocks. Based on composition,
there are three main components: allochems, Matrix, and
cement. The Folk system uses two-part names; the first
refers to the grains and the second is the root. It is helpful to
have a petrographic microscope when using the Folk
scheme, because it is easier to determine the components
present in each sample.

DUNHAM
CLASSIFICATION
Dunham divides the rocks into four main groups based on
relative proportions of coarser clastic particles. Dunham
names are essentially for rock families. His efforts deal with
the question of whether or not the grains were originally in
mutual contact, and therefore self-supporting, or whether the
rock is characterized by the presence of frame builders and
algal mats. Unlike the Folk scheme, Dunham deals with the
original porosity of the rock. The Dunham scheme is more
useful for hand samples because it is based on texture, not
the grains in the sample.

PROPERTIES OF
DOLOSTONE
The mineral dolomite crystallizes in the trigonal-
rhombohedral system. It forms white, gray to pink, commonly
curved (saddle shape) crystals, although it is usually massive.
Unlike calcite, dolomite is a double carbonate, having a
different structural arrangement.

FORMATION OF
DOLOSTONE
Vast deposits are present in the geological record, but the mineral
is relatively rare in modern environments. Laboratory synthesis
of stoichiometric dolomite has been carried out only at
temperatures of greater than 100 °C (conditions typical of burial
in sedimentary basins), even though much dolomite in the rock
record appears to have formed in low-temperature conditions.
The high temperature is likely to speed up the movement of
calcium and magnesium ions so that they can find their places
in the ordered structure within a reasonable amount of time.
This suggests that the lack of dolomite that is being formed
today is likely due to kinetic factors.

USES OF CARBONATE
ROCKS
Limestone is very common in architecture, especially in
Europe and North America. Many landmarks across the world,
including the Great pyramid and its associated complex in
Giza, Egypt, are made of limestone. So many buildings in
Kingston,canad were constructed from it that it is nicknamed
the 'Limestone City'.
It is the raw material for the manufacture of quicklime
(calcium oxide), slaked lime (calcium hydroxide), cement, and
mortar.

Cont....
Dolomite is used as an ornamental stone, a concrete
aggregate, a source of magnesium oxide and in the pidgeon
process for the production of magnesium. It is an important
petroleum reservoir rock, and serves as the host rock for
large strata-bound Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) ore deposits
of base metals such as lead,zinc and copper. limestone is,
dolomite is sometimes used in its place as a flux for the
smelting of iron and steel. Large quantities of processed
dolomite are used in the production of float glass.
Dolomite is also used as the substrate in marine (saltwater)
aquariums to help buffer changes in pH of the water.

CONCLUSION
 Carbonate rocks are a class of sedimentary rocks composed
primarily of carbonate minerals
 Limestone found today in almost environments, both marine
and non-marine
 Carbonate saturation in water is highest in tropical to warm
 Karst topography and caves are most common landscape in
carbonate rocks
 Carbonate rocks was also a very popular building block in
the Middle Ages in the areas where it occurred

REFERENCE
WEBSITES
 www.google.com
 www.wikipedia.com
BOOKS

Introduction to sedimentology

Origin Of Sedimentary Rocks

Carbonate rocks

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Carbonate rocks