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Limestone Features - Part 1

Limestone is a sedimentary rock primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and is formed mainly under the sea. It is characterized by its porous nature, allowing water to pass through and dissolve the rock, leading to features such as sinkholes and caverns. Significant limestone deposits are found in the Caribbean, particularly in the Bahamas, Barbados, and Jamaica, with varying types affecting their permeability.

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11 views12 pages

Limestone Features - Part 1

Limestone is a sedimentary rock primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and is formed mainly under the sea. It is characterized by its porous nature, allowing water to pass through and dissolve the rock, leading to features such as sinkholes and caverns. Significant limestone deposits are found in the Caribbean, particularly in the Bahamas, Barbados, and Jamaica, with varying types affecting their permeability.

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niklas.maryuen
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Limestone Features – Part 1

Geography
Form 4
Limestone

• Limestone is mostly made of


Calcium Carbonate (CaCo3)

• It is a sedimentary rock
which is formed mostly
under the sea but can be
formed in fresh water.
Limestone Nature
• In weathering we learnt that the main mineral in
limestone (CaCo3) reacts with rainwater to produce
calcium bicarbonate which is soluble in a process
known as carbonation.

• Note: Limestone is not soluble (easily eroded) until this process


occurs.
Limestone Nature
• Due to the nature of limestone- where it is porous,
jointed and contains fissures. This allows for water to
easily pass through

• Limestone is said to be porous as a result of these


features which widen as water continuously passes
through dissolving the limestone.
Limestone
General Characteristics of Limestone
• Sedimentary rock
• Jointed
• Calcium carbonate
• Pervious
• Dominated by Chemical weathering
• Forms features like Pavements, Clints/Grykes, Swallow (sink) hole,
Stalagmites, Stalactites, Caverns, Gorges.
Location
• While large amounts of limestone can be found
throughout the Caribbean, there are islands such as
the Bahamas which is almost entirely made of
limestone.
• Barbados, Belize and Jamaica also possess large
quantities of limestone
Limestone – Barbados
Limestone – Jamaica
Limestone – Bahamas
Types of limestone
1. It can be comprised of almost pure calcium carbonate which causes it to
look white when exposed
2. It could also possess a high concentration of mud & other materials
which causes it to look brown or yellow. (Jamaica)
3. The limestone can be mostly made of coral as is the case with Barbados
4. It can be comprised mostly of seashells
5. It can be formed of oolites, as is the case with the Bahamas.- when small
egg-shaped grains of calcium carbonate are cemented together. Here the
calcium carbonate is precipitated by the sea water.
Limestone Types and Permeability
• We know there are varying types of limestone, as a
result their level of permeability varies.
• Coral Limestone in Barbados is more porous than the
brown/yellow limestone of Jamaica due to the other
minerals it contains.

• For this reason you can have surface rivers in Jamaica


on limestone.

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