Transcript Limestone Scenery - Shawlands Academy

Limestone Scenery
Firstly, the processes that shape
limestone scenery
1)
Freeze-Thaw
2)
Carbonation
3)
Solution
4)
Acid Rain
5)
Hydrolisis
6)
Oxidation
Carbonation
• Rainwater contains carbon dioxide which
produces a weak carbonic acid
• This acid reacts with rocks composed of
calcium carbonate especially limestone.
• This process causes the limestone to dissolve
• It is later removed in solution
• The process causes distinctive landscapes
Solution
• This is when a substance, in this case
limestone, has been dissolved into a liquid.
Oxidation
• This occurs when the minerals in the
limestone take up some of the oxygen which
has dissolved, and causes rocks to crumble.
Acid Rain
• Human activity has resulted in more
carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and
nitrogen oxide in the atmosphere.
• These gases then form acids in solution
in rainwater
• The acid rain attacks some rocks,
especially limestone and sandstone.
Hydrolisis
• This is when the hydrogen contained in
the rainwater reacts with the limestone,
causing it to breakdown.