Limestone has many uses. It is used in construction because is very strong, durable and not too expensive. An average of 50 tons of limestone is used in the building of houses. Some old buildings like cathedrals and many landmarks especially in Europe and North America are often made just from limestone blocks because limestone is easy to cut and carve and it can last a long time, although acid rain can cause them to wear away. Other construction uses of limestone include concrete, cement and steel manufacture, road making, bricks, paint, glass, mirrors, paper and to purify water. Limestone is also used in cosmetics, medicine, toothpaste and it is used to fortify the amount of calcium in bread.
Another important use of limestone is to neutralise acid. Limestone is ground into a powder which is used to neutralise acidic lakes caused by acid rain and it is used in farming. Soil is measured using an indicator and if it is too acidic, then limestone is mixed into the soil to neutralise it, as some plants can’t grow in too acidic soil.
Limestone is heated to a temperature of 1000°C in a kiln to form quicklime (calcium oxide) and carbon dioxide. The limestone actually decomposes and doesn’t burn. Water is added so that the powder become hot before cooling into a harden mass to form calcium hydroxide which is an alkaline. Calcium hydroxide is used to purify water.
There are around 300 quarries in Britain, most which are in Wales and England. Over 700 lorries travel to and from the quarries each day. Although the quarries have provided jobs and improved the economy of the quarrying area, it has caused many problems. The quarry sites create lots of dust, traffic and noise. Some possible solutions to the problem is that when there are no more limestone to quarry in the site, then a lake will replace the area. Most of the people living in the area are looking forward to this. Construction workers are also trying to recycle a lot of the material so it doesn’t go to waste.