This material's namesake discovered that it effervesces slowly in dilute hydrochloric acid, differentiating it from the similar calcite.
This material's namesake discovered that it effervesces slowly in dilute hydrochloric acid, differentiating it from the similar calcite. The exact mechanism of its low-temperature formation is an important open question, especially given its prevalence as massive crystals, but recent developments suggest organogenic mechanisms may answer it. It forms when its characteristic element replaces some of the calcium carbonate present in normal limestone and has a Mohs hardness around 3.5 and a specific gravity of about 2.85. Accounting for about ten percent of all sedimentary rock, it gives its name to a range of the northern Italian Alps. FTP, name this mineral consisting of crystalline calcium magnesium carbonate.
This material's namesake discovered that it effervesces slowly in dilute hydrochloric acid, differentiating it from the similar calcite.
dolomite