Seashells and bones provide calcium, which combines with carbon dioxide to form calcium carbonate in quartzite.
Quartzite stone is a metamorphic rock with quartz sandstone as a parent rock. Sandstone deposits change when subjected to heat and pressure of metamorphism. The quartz grains compact and interweave to form dense and tough quartzite with a medium-grained texture. Does this Spark an idea?
Composition
Quartzite is composed of 95 to 97 percent silica. Calcium from seashells and bones of sea creatures that accumulate on the ocean floor combine with carbon dioxide to form calcium carbonate. According to the Mineral Information Institute, quartzite usually forms when continents collide and mountains form. Norway, with its extensive mountain ranges, has the largest occurrence of quartzite.
Characteristics
Quartzite rates a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Quartzite stone resists chemical weathering such as impact from acids and alkalies. Its glassy luster can become a high-gloss finish when worked with power polishing tools and diamonds. This nonslippery material has low water absorption. In a pure form, quartzite stone is light-colored. Impurities such as iron can give quartzite a reddish color.
Uses
Resistant to physical weathering, quartzite offers a raw material for glass and ceramics. The construction industry uses quartzite stone as a dimension stone. This fireproof material can be broken into flat surfaces for stair steps, flooring, wall cladding and roofing.
Tags: calcium carbonate, carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide form, dioxide form, dioxide form calcium, form calcium
