What is the Difference Between Limestone and Dolomite?

Limestone and dolomite are both types of rock made of carbonate residues, but they have distinct differences in their composition, formation, and properties:

1. Composition: Limestone is made of calcium carbonate, while dolomite is made of calcium magnesium carbonate.
2. Formation: Limestone is primarily formed from the deposits of left-over shell secretions and skeletal material from marine organisms, while dolomite is formed through a process called "dolomitization," where lime mud and limestone are converted into magnesium. Dolomite tends to form under high saline conditions in environments like lagoons.
3. Properties: Dolomite has a slightly different structure and chemical behavior compared to limestone, making it a double carbonate rock that doesn't readily dissolve in dilute acidic media. Dolomite achieves a higher resilience to acidic erosion, has a harder composition, and is less absorbent than limestone.

Both limestone and dolomite are used in construction and as a component of cement, but dolomite is often preferred over limestone due to its harder composition and higher resilience to acidic erosion.

Comparative Table: Limestone vs Dolomite

Here is a table comparing the differences between limestone and dolomite:

Both limestone and dolomite are carbonate sedimentary rocks, but they differ in their composition, formation, and dissolution properties.