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Generally, Carbonic Acid is the agent concerned, though similar weak acids such as Humic Acid, and a small amount of Nitric Acid produced in the atmosphere may also play their part.

These acids gradually dissolve the limestone, and in the case of the Carbonate, are precipitated again as stalactites and stalagmites.

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Carbonic acid.

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WATER

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Q: What acid dissolved the limestone to form caves?
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What is the effect of acid rain on karst environments?

Acid rain dissolves the carbonate rock-limestone causing rich patterns on it. limestone gets naturally sculpted through these acid rains. They also form hanging stalactites, stalagmites, etc. They create rich landscapes.


Why do limestone statues fall apart?

limestone statues fall apart because it is very fragile when exposed to acid rain. No matter how rare it occurs, acid rain can cause a lot cracks and crevices to form. Later, when water freezes in the cracks, ice wedging can cause the statue to just fall apart too.


What causes icicles to form in a cavern?

Caverns that form in limestone areas, due to rain water dissolving the limestone over millions of years, produce stalactites and stalagmites. Stalactites are icicle-like rock formations of deposited limestone hanging down from the cavern's roof. Stalagmites grow upwards from the cavern floor, due to the limestone solution dripping on the floor from the roof. In some cases, the stalactite and stalagmite joins in the middle to form a column.


Why is hot air blown into lime kiln?

so that limestone can decompose to form CO2 and CaO


What is involved in acid formation?

Chemical change happens when there is an acid formation as the substances and chemicals reacts to form new substances.

Related questions

What dissolved the limestone to form the caves?

The forests that grows over the limestone forms mulch that produces the acid required. That's true but the prime solvent is Carbonic Acid: atmospheric carbon dioxide dissolved into rain-water.


How does a acid cave form?

Limestone is the rock that is in Caves. When carbonate acid is reacted to the limestone in the caves, it will corrode forming strange caves landforms.


What process creates cave?

Caves form when acidic rain dissolved limestone.


What is the process of formation of caves?

Caves are formed through a process called speleogenesis, which involves the dissolution of soluble rocks like limestone, dolomite, or gypsum by groundwater. Over time, the water creates underground passages and caverns as it erodes and dissolves the rock, creating the intricate formations seen in caves. Other processes like tectonic activity, erosion, and lava flows can also contribute to cave formation.


Is rainwater a weak acid that dissolves limestone to form caves?

yes


Where do the dissolved material of caves go?

Caves are usually some form of limestone. The stone is VERY slowly dissolved by water, and the dissolved material leaves with the draining water. Typically this takes millions of years.


Can granite dissolve slowly in acid water to form caves?

No, only limestone dissolves.


When rain soaks aways rock below the ground to form caves are called?

Right - rain absorns atmospheric CO2 to become slightly acid. When this water percolates through discontinuities in limestone, the rock is dissolved by this carbonic acid (an example of chemical weathering), and over time the conduits this creates enlarge and coalesce to form caves.


How does limestone caves are formed?

Limestone caves are formed through a process called karstification, where rainwater picks up carbon dioxide from the air and soil, creating a weak carbonic acid. This acidic water dissolves the limestone rock over time, creating underground cavities and passages. As the water drains away, it leaves behind caves and unique formations such as stalactites and stalagmites.


How do stalagmites form in limestone caves?

no one noes Yes they do. Precipitation and crystallisation of calcium carbonate dissolved from the limestone by water leaching through the joints, bedding-planes or faults in the rock.


Why are most caves made from limestone?

Most caves are made from limestone because limestone is a sedimentary rock that is easily dissolved by water. Over time, acidic groundwater seeps into the cracks and crevices, dissolving and eroding the limestone to form cave systems. The process is known as karstification and is responsible for the creation of many limestone caves.


In geography what are stalagmites?

In areas where the rocks are made of limestone, water will dissolve the limestone and form underground caves. In these caves water containing dissolved limestone will drip from the roof. As the drips form some of the water evaporates and limestone is deposited out of solution. Thus, from where the drips are occurring and on the floor below, pilers start to form, the pilers on the floor are called 'stalagmites' and the pilers hanging from the roof are called 'stalactites'.