2.2 Limestone (Part 2)
|
|
Carbonates
Carbonates react with acids to produce salts, carbon dioxide and water. For example, calcium carbonate will react with sulphuric acid to make calcium sulphate (a salt), carbon dioxide and water
Carbonates react with acids to produce salts, carbon dioxide and water. For example, calcium carbonate will react with sulphuric acid to make calcium sulphate (a salt), carbon dioxide and water
The type of salt produced depends on the type of acid that the carbonate is reacting with. For example, if we reacted calcium carbonate (or any carbonates) with hydrochloric acid then it would make a chloride.
Uses for Limestone
Limestone is used to create cement and other building materials. Cement is created by heating powdered limestone in a kiln. Cement is then mixed with sand and water to make mortar, which is used to stick bricks together. Cement can also be mixed with sand and aggregate (a mixture of water and gravel) to make concrete.
Limestone is used to create cement and other building materials. Cement is created by heating powdered limestone in a kiln. Cement is then mixed with sand and water to make mortar, which is used to stick bricks together. Cement can also be mixed with sand and aggregate (a mixture of water and gravel) to make concrete.
The Impact of Obtaining Limestone
Limestone is quarried out of the ground. This permanently scars the landscape as there are large unsightly holes left from where the rock has been taken. Also, quarrying destroys habitats and displaces animals and when the quarrying has finished the habitat and animals may not come back. The process of quarrying is also noisy and creates a considerable amount of dust pollution. Also, the limestone is transported to where it is required. This is usually done by lorries, which leads to pollution and congestion.
However, there are many benefits of using limestone. Firstly, limestone is used to create cement and concrete, which allows us to produce roads and houses. Limestone is also used to neutralise soil, which allows crops to be grown and yields to increase. It is also used in power stations to neutralise sulphur dioxide, which reduces the amount of acid rain. Mining for limestone provides jobs for locals, which increases the economic activity of the local area around the quarry.
Limestone/ limestone products that are used in the building industry are cheap and can be built with very quickly. Limestone is also very strong and never rots; whereas other building materials such as wood do rot.
Therefore, we need to weigh up the costs of mining limestone with the benefit of using limestone.
Limestone is quarried out of the ground. This permanently scars the landscape as there are large unsightly holes left from where the rock has been taken. Also, quarrying destroys habitats and displaces animals and when the quarrying has finished the habitat and animals may not come back. The process of quarrying is also noisy and creates a considerable amount of dust pollution. Also, the limestone is transported to where it is required. This is usually done by lorries, which leads to pollution and congestion.
However, there are many benefits of using limestone. Firstly, limestone is used to create cement and concrete, which allows us to produce roads and houses. Limestone is also used to neutralise soil, which allows crops to be grown and yields to increase. It is also used in power stations to neutralise sulphur dioxide, which reduces the amount of acid rain. Mining for limestone provides jobs for locals, which increases the economic activity of the local area around the quarry.
Limestone/ limestone products that are used in the building industry are cheap and can be built with very quickly. Limestone is also very strong and never rots; whereas other building materials such as wood do rot.
Therefore, we need to weigh up the costs of mining limestone with the benefit of using limestone.