Uses of Limestone Rocks

Limestone Use

As we mentioned earlier, the first thing to come to your mind when you hear limestone uses is quite likely to be its use in construction and architecture. Some of the most prominent landmarks in the world, including the Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, are made from limestone.

Even though the use of limestone in architecture is seen all over the world, the practice is most popular in North American and European countries. Interestingly, the Canadian city of Kingston in Ontario province has so many buildings made from limestone rock that the city itself has been nicknamed the Limestone City.

Other than the use of limestone rocks in construction directly, this rock is also used in production of Portland cement which is a vital component in the field of construction. When we talk about uses of limestone in construction, its use in construction of roads and railroads – wherein it is used in crushed form to form to lay the foundation, is also taken into consideration.

Not many people out there would need an introduction to limestone countertops which add to the grace of your kitchen. The use of minerals such as calcite and dolomite – which are found in abundance in limestone rocks, is also quite popular. These minerals are used in the process of manufacturing products of daily use such as paper, baking soda, detergent, glass, textiles etc. Not many people must be aware of this, but the uses of limestone in toothpaste – wherein it acts as a filler, white pigment and abrasive, makes it an important constituent of your day-to-day life.

The use of these minerals in limestone is also observed in products such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fertilizers, paint and varnish, etc. The uses of limestone powder can be traced to Coal mines (wherein it is used to control coal mine dust) and power plants (wherein it is used to collect sulfur dioxide.) It is also used in purification of molten glass as well as molten iron. The use of limestone in steel making along with iron ore and coke is also quite popular. In its pulverized form, limestone is used as a soil conditioner to neutralize soil high in acidic content.

Going through this limestone rock information, which laid special emphasis on the uses of limestone, you must have realized why this sedimentary rock is considered to be so important for various industries. That being said, limestone uses are not restricted to the ones mentioned above. The erosional landforms carved out of limestone rock – known as karst in geology, plays an important role in natural landscaping. Similarly, the geological formations of limestone are considered to be the best petroleum reservoirs on the planet.