LIMESTONE PROJECT

Jabari Manning

Geography

March 12, 2024

Miss. Kerole Perry

 Table Of Content

What is limestone?................................................................................................................................2
What are two types of limestone?.....................................................................................................2
What are three uses of limestone in the Caribbean?...................................................................3
What are the two main processes that affects limestone?......................................................3
What are three factors that affect the rate of carbonation of limestone?...........................4
What is Karst?....................................................................................................................4
Features of Tropical Karst..............................................................................................6
The formation of blue holes......................................................................................6
What is the difference between cockpit Karst and tower Karst?.........................6
What are the three types of karst Landscapes of the Caribbean?.......................7
Reference...............................................................................................................9

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 What is limestone?
Limestone is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material
lime. It is composed mostly of the mineral calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal
forms of CaCO₃. Limestone forms when these minerals precipitate out of water containing
dissolved calcium.

What are two types of limestone?

Calcitic limestone is calcium carbonate, and it neutralizes acids in the growing

medium. It provides some calcium, but almost no magnesium. Calcitic limestone
dissolves faster than dolomitic limestone so it quickly adjusts a growing medium's pH
within one week, but it has a shorter residual effect of up to 1-2 months.

Dolomitic Limestone: Dolomitic limestone contains a significant amount of calcium

magnesium carbonate (CaMg(CO3)2) in addition to calcite.

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 What are three uses of limestone in the Caribbean?

Limestone is a source of lime (calcium oxide), which is used in water treatment and
purification, plastic production, and in agriculture.

What are the two main processes that affects limestone?

Carbonation occurs on rocks which contain calcium carbonate such as limestone and chalk.
Carbonation takes place when rain combines with carbon dioxide to form a weak carbonic acid which
reacts with calcium carbonate (the limestone) and forms calcium bicarbonate.

Hydrolysis - the breakdown of rock by acidic water to produce clay and soluble salts.

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 What are three factors that affect the rate of carbonation of limestone?

1. Chemical Weathering: Limestone areas are predominantly affected by chemical

weathering. When rainwater, which contains a weak carbonic acid, reacts with
limestone, it causes the limestone to dissolve. This process contributes significantly
to the carbonation of limestone.

2. Dioxide Concentration: The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere

plays a crucial role. Carbon dioxide from the respiration of animals (including
ourselves) and burning fossil fuels contributes to increased CO₂ levels. When CO₂
dissolves in rainwater, it forms a very dilute carbonic acid, which accelerates the
dissolution of limestone.

3. Microstructural Features: The microstructural features of limestone also affect

carbonation. Physical states (such as void index and initial water content) and the
microstructure of treated soil influence the kinetic process of carbonation. These
factors impact the rate of CO₂ diffusion, reactant dissolution, and the formation rate
of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃).
What is Karst?
Karst is a type of landscape where the dissolving of the bedrock has created sinkholes, sinking
streams, caves, springs, and other characteristic features.

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 Swallow holes (or sinks) are smaller surface, depressions in the landscape which may
be caused by the solution of limestone; or by the enlargement of a grike system, by
carbonation or river erosion; or by the collapse of a cavern.
 Dolines are large surface depressions formed by the solution or collapse of
limestone.
 Clints (outcrops of bare rock) and Grikes (the gaps between the rocks where the
joints are located) develop on the surface of the exposed limestone.

 Stalactites develop from the top (ceiling) of the cave where, as stalagmites are
formed on the base (floor/ground) of the cave.

 Pillars occur when stalactites and stalagmite join from a continuous deposit from
ceiling to ground.

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 Features of Tropical Karst

The formation of blue holes.

During the Ice Age, the ice caps spread over the world causing the
sea water levels to slowly fall. Underground caves formed deep in
the ground as a result. At the end of the ice age ice melted and sea
level rose, filling the caves with water and forming what we know
today as blue holes.

What is the difference between cockpit Karst and tower Karst?

Most cockpit karst in Guilin is located in rugged mountain areas with higher elevation and
intervening depressions. By contrast, most tower karst is concentrated in the flat plain with
lower elevation and relief with some sporadic distribution in the rugged mountain areas.
Examples of cockpit karst landscapes include the Cockpit Country in Jamaica and portions of
the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Examples of tower karst landscapes include the Guilin and
Yangshuo regions in China, where the iconic limestone pinnacles are a prominent feature of
the landscape.

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 What are the three types of karst Landscapes of the Caribbean?
Tower Karst: Tower karst landscapes are characterized by steep-sided, cone-shaped hills or
towers formed by the dissolution of limestone bedrock. These towers can reach
considerable heights and are often found in areas with high rates of erosion and
groundwater flow.

Cockpit Karst: Cockpit karst landscapes consist of rounded depressions, known as cockpits or
dolines, which are formed by the collapse of underground caves and caverns. These
depressions vary in size and shape and are typically surrounded by rugged limestone terrain.

Cone Karst: Cone karst landscapes are characterized by cone-shaped hills or mounds formed
by the accumulation of limestone debris from the dissolution of bedrock. These cones often
have a conical shape with a central depression, known as a karst basin, and are commonly
found in areas with high rates of erosion and groundwater flow.

Describe in three (3) ways how Urbanisation has affected limestone areas.
Urbanization can have significant impacts on limestone areas, which are often characterized
by karst landscapes. Here are three ways in which urbanization affects these areas:

Increased Surface Runoff and Flooding: Urbanization typically involves the construction of
impermeable surfaces such as roads, pavements, and buildings. These surfaces prevent
water from infiltrating into the ground, leading to increased surface runoff during rainfall
events. In limestone areas, where the bedrock is highly permeable, this increased runoff can
exacerbate erosion and lead to the formation of sinkholes, channels, and other karst
features. Additionally, the rapid flow of water can overwhelm natural drainage systems,
causing flooding in urbanized limestone areas.

Pollution of Groundwater: Urbanization often results in the discharge of various pollutants

into the environment, including chemicals from industrial activities, sewage from
households, and runoff from roads and parking lots. In limestone areas, where groundwater
flow is prevalent through interconnected networks of fractures and conduits, these
pollutants can infiltrate into the subsurface and contaminate groundwater resources. This
pollution not only threatens the quality of drinking water supplies but can also degrade the
fragile ecosystems supported by karst aquifers.

Alteration of Natural Drainage Patterns: The construction of urban infrastructure, such as

roads, bridges, and buildings, often involves extensive earthworks and modifications to the

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natural landscape. In limestone areas, these alterations can disrupt natural drainage patterns
and hydrological processes, leading to changes in the distribution and flow of surface water
and groundwater. This can have cascading effects on the ecology of karst environments,
including changes in vegetation, habitat loss for cave-dwelling species, and alterations to the
flow regime of springs and streams that depend on karst aquifers.

What are two (3) advantages of limestone areas for urbanisation and industrial
activities?
Limestone areas offer several advantages for urbanization and industrial activities:

Availability of Building Materials: Limestone is a widely used building material due to its abundance
and favorable properties such as durability, versatility, and ease of shaping. In limestone areas,
quarries can be readily established to extract limestone for construction purposes. This local
availability of building materials reduces transportation costs and environmental impacts associated
with sourcing construction materials from distant locations. Additionally, limestone can be used not
only for constructing buildings but also for infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and retaining walls,
making it highly suitable for urban development and industrial projects.

Karst Landscapes and Natural Resources: Karst landscapes, which are often associated with limestone
areas, can provide valuable natural resources for urbanization and industrial activities. Karst aquifers,
formed by the dissolution of limestone, are capable of storing and transmitting large volumes of
groundwater, making them important sources of water supply for urban areas. Additionally, karst
landscapes may contain caves, caverns, and sinkholes, which can be utilized for various purposes
such as tourism, recreation, storage, or waste disposal. Moreover, the unique topography of karst
areas may offer opportunities for urban planning and development, including the creation of parks,
green spaces, and recreational areas that capitalize on the aesthetic and ecological values of these
landscapes.

Carbon Capture and Sequestration: Limestone, primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3),
has the ability to capture and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through a process
known as carbonation. In industrial applications, limestone can be used as a raw material in
processes such as cement manufacturing, where CO2 is chemically bound during the production of
calcium silicate minerals. This carbon capture and sequestration potential of limestone can
contribute to efforts to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from
industrial activities. Additionally, limestone areas may provide suitable geological formations for the
long-term storage of captured CO2 through methods such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) or
enhanced oil recovery (EOR), offering opportunities for carbon sequestration projects in urbanized
regions.

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 Reference

https://images.app.goo.gl/NuQiZSScWKApGn8W7

https://images.app.goo.gl/niTLZcP4eKzEMAhK9

https://images.app.goo.gl/sWemuqTQVce3icXz7

https://images.app.goo.gl/AZJ7yH5972CkhGsz8

https://images.app.goo.gl/RH9v1QqXcLsDv2cUA