Using Limestone (WJEC GCSE Chemistry)

What is limestone used for?

• Limestone is a sedimentary rock and is a valuable resource from the Earth’s crust

Limestone is commonly used in construction and statues

Limestone is commonly used as a building material but it also has many other applications

Uses of Limestone

Use	How
Manufacturing iron/steel	Limestone is also used to remove acidic impurities from the blast furnace when making iron
Ingredient in food and toothpaste	Limestone is added to food to provide calcium ions for strong teeth and bones. It is also an ingredient in toothpaste
Building material	Can be used to build statues and in construction
Making cement	Cement is made by heating powdered limestone with clay. This is used as an ingredient in mortar and concrete (Mortar – used to join bricks together) Concrete is made by mixing cement with sand, water and crushed rock
Agriculture	It can be used to neutralise acidic soil to allow crops to grow more effectively  Quicklime and slaked lime can also be used for this.

How is limestone extracted from the ground?

• Most limestone is obtained by quarrying, where the rock is blasted out of the ground in huge pits

Limestone Quarry

Limestone quarries offer opportunities for the local community though also bring disruption

Photo by Stamford Stone

 Advantages and disadvantages of quarrying

Advantages	Disadvantages
Provides materials for the construction industry	Destruction of the landscape and wildlife habitats
More local jobs	Regular blasting produces excessive noise and dust for local residents
Supports the local economy	Dust and extra vehicle pollution can lead to increased numbers of respiratory conditions, e.g. asthma
Better local road system	Increase in traffic, e.g. transport lorries