Calcium Carbonate is a chemical compound especially found in the shells of marine animals, pearls, snails, egg shells and rocks. It is used medicinally as a supplement for calcium or antacid. It causes hard water and is an essential component of agricultural lime. Calcium carbonate includes, marble, chalk, limestone and travertine. Pure minerals of this compound are aragonite, calcite and vaterite.
Biological Resources
The compound is predominant in snail shells, egg shells and sea shells. Oyster shells also contain it predominantly which is used as dietary calcium and for industrial purposes. Broccoli and Kale are dark green vegetables which contain the compound for dietary purposes.
Geological Sources
This chemical compound includes, marble, chalk, limestone, tufa and travertine. Pure minerals of this compound are aragonite, calcite and vaterite. Plankton, sponges, coralline algae, brachiopods, mollusks, bryozoa, echinoderms etc. are the main contributors of this compound which are found in shallow water with an abundance of filterable food. Corals are abundantly found in the tropics because they stay in warm and clear water. The corals contribute the major portion of this compound in nature. Ocean acidification causes the changes in calcification.
Uses
Industrial applications
The compound is widely used as a building material in construction industry. Limestone is used for road building which is also an ingredient of cement. It is used in the process of purification of iron in blast furnaces. The carbonate is combined with oxygen to produce calcium oxide which segregates the iron from the impurities. The compound is added to drilling fluids which is used as a filter cake and sealing agent or formation bridging in the oil industry. It is used as the major component for making chalk. It is also an essential component used to make micro porous film used in the diapers of the babies and building films. The compound in its precipitated and slurry form is used as filler material for the gloves made of latex. The compound is used as an essential component to make glossy paper by replacing kaolin. It is used in paints as an extender. It acts as filler in plastics. The compound is used as filler to increase rigidity in polypropylene compounds. Thermosetting resins also use the compound as filler. It is an essential component in the paint used for white washing. It is used in decorating fillers, sealants and adhesives. It is also used in the putty to set glass windows. The grounded form of the compound is used as an abrasive. It is used to clean the tarnish on silver.
Health and dietary applications
The compound is used medicinally as a supplement for calcium or antacid. It is used as filler in pharmaceuticals and tablets. The compound is used in the production of toothpaste, color retainer, food preservative and also used in organic food and apples. The compound is used as firming agent in bottled or canned vegetables. It is used as sources of dietary calcium in almond and soy milk.
