CALCIUM CARBONATE

Calcium Carbonate: Overview and Applications

Chemical Formula: CaCO₃
Molecular Weight: 100.09 g/mol

Calcium Carbonate is a versatile and widely used inorganic compound found naturally in rocks, chalk, limestone, marble, and shells of marine organisms. It is an odorless, tasteless, white powder or crystalline substance that serves multiple industrial and commercial purposes.

Physical Properties:

1. Appearance: White or colorless crystalline powder.
2. Solubility: Slightly soluble in water, highly soluble in acids.
3. Stability: Stable under normal conditions; decomposes into calcium oxide (CaO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) when heated.

Sources of Calcium Carbonate:

1. Natural Sources:
   • Limestone, chalk, and marble are primary natural sources.
   • Formed through sedimentary rock deposition or biological processes in shells and corals.
2. Synthetic Production:
   • Obtained by reacting calcium oxide with water and carbon dioxide.

Applications of Calcium Carbonate:

Industrial Uses:

1. Construction Industry:
   • Used as a key ingredient in cement, concrete, and lime production.
   • Serves as a filler material in asphalt and roofing products.
2. Paints and Coatings:
   • Acts as a white pigment and filler to enhance durability and opacity.
3. Plastics and Rubber:
   • Improves the strength, flexibility, and processing of plastic and rubber products.
4. Paper Industry:
   • Used as a filler and coating material to improve paper brightness and smoothness.

Agriculture:

• Enhances soil quality by neutralizing acidic soils and providing essential calcium for plant growth.

Food and Pharmaceuticals:

1. Dietary Supplement:
   • A vital source of calcium in nutritional supplements.
2. Antacid:
   • Relieves acid reflux and indigestion by neutralizing stomach acid.
3. Food Additive:
   • Acts as a firming agent, stabilizer, and color preservative in food products.

Environmental Applications:

• Used in water treatment processes to remove impurities and adjust pH levels.

Advantages of Calcium Carbonate:

• Abundant and cost-effective.
• Versatile across various industries.
• Eco-friendly and biodegradable.

Health and Safety Considerations:

• Non-toxic under normal usage conditions.
• Inhalation of fine particles may cause respiratory irritation; appropriate protective measures are advised.