Limestone

Lime Stone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the mineral calcite (calcium carbonate: CaCO3). The deposition of limestone strata is often a by-product and indicator of biological activity in the geologic record. Calcium (along with nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) is a key mineral to plant nutrition, soils overlying limestone bedrock tend to be pre-fertilized with calcium. Limestone is a key ingredient of quicklime, mortar, cement, and concrete. The solubility of limestone in water and weak acid solutions leads to important phenomena.

Uses of limestone :

• Lime stone is an important stone for masonry and architecture
• The manufacture of quicklime (calcium oxide) and slaked lime (calcium hydroxide)
• Cement and mortar
• Pulverized limestone is used as a soil conditioner to neutralize acidic soil conditions
• Crushed for use as aggregate the solid base for many roads
• Geological formations of limestone are among the best petroleum reservoirs
• As a reagent in desulphurization
• Glass making, in some circumstances
• Added to paper, plastics, paint, tiles and other materials as both white pigment and a cheap filler
• Toothpaste
• Added to bread and cereals as a source of calcium
• Calcium supplement for poultry (when ground up)