This drawing shows the water cycle.
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Carbonates

Limestone is an example of a carbonate. Other examples of carbonates include calcite, dolomite, and marble.

Limestone dissolves easily in rainwater, especially rainwater which is loaded with carbonic acid. The more carbonic acid in the rain, the more easiy limestone and marble dissolve.

As a result of human activities which inject more carbon dioxide into the air, limestone more readily dissolves. This process also helps to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The removal of carbon from the atmosphere and recycling in the ocean is part of the carbon cycle.

Last modified June 4, 2010 by Randy Russell.

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