Calcareous

Calcareous

Calcareous refers to a sediment, sedimentary rock, or soil type which is formed from or contains a high proportion of calcium carbonate in the form of calcite or aragonite.

Calcareous rock also refers to sediments derived near land. The carbon content is high due to life-derived sediments. The farther from land sediments fall, the less calcareous they are, usually. There are of course exceptions. Some areas can have inter bedded calcareous sediments due to storms or changes in ocean currents.

It is also used to refer to relatively alkaline soil. Frequently this is indeed due to a high calcareous content but there are other causes for a high soil pH.

Calcareous coatings, or calcareous deposits, are mixtures of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide that are deposited on cathodically protected surfaces because of the increased pH adjacent to the surface.

Calcareous ooze (also calcium carbinate) accumulates due to a higher sea elevation. The CCD or calcium carbinate compensation depth is the depth at which calcium carbinate begins to dissolve in the ocean. Anything lower than the CCD and the only thing accumulating is Siliceous ooze or red clay.


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  • Calcareous — Cal*ca re*ous, a. [L. calcarius pertaining to lime. See {Calx}.] Partaking of the nature of calcite or calcium carbonate; consisting of, or containing, calcium carbonate or carbonate of lime. [1913 Webster] {Calcareous spar}. See as {Calcite}.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • calcareous — 1670s, from L. calcarius of lime, from calx (gen. calcis) lime, limestone (see CHALK (Cf. chalk)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • calcareous — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ containing calcium carbonate; chalky. ORIGIN Latin calcarius, from calx lime …   English terms dictionary

  • calcareous — [kal ker′ē əs] adj. [L calcarius < calx: see CALCIUM] of, like, or containing calcium carbonate, calcium, or lime …   English World dictionary

  • calcareous — calcareously, adv. calcareousness, n. /kal kair ee euhs/, adj. of, containing, or like calcium carbonate; chalky: calcareous earth. [1670 80; var. of calcarious < L calcarius of lime; see CALX, ARIOUS] * * * …   Universalium

  • calcareous — cal•car•e•ous [[t]kælˈkɛər i əs[/t]] adj. mir of, containing, or like calcium carbonate; chalky: calcareous earth[/ex] • Etymology: 1670–80; var. of calcarious < L calcārius for burning lime cal•car′e•ous•ly, adv …   From formal English to slang

  • calcareous — /kælˈkɛəriəs / (say kal kairreeuhs) adjective of, coated with, containing, or like calcium carbonate; chalky: calcareous earth. {variant of calcarious, from Latin calcārius relating to lime} …  

  • Calcareous grassland — (or alkaline grassland) is an ecosystem associated with thin basic soil, such as that on chalk and limestone downland.[1] Plants on calcareous grassland are typically short and hardy, and include grasses and herbs such as clover. Calcareous… …   Wikipedia

  • Calcareous spar — Calcareous Cal*ca re*ous, a. [L. calcarius pertaining to lime. See {Calx}.] Partaking of the nature of calcite or calcium carbonate; consisting of, or containing, calcium carbonate or carbonate of lime. [1913 Webster] {Calcareous spar}. See as… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • calcareous tufa — n. TUFA …   English World dictionary

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