Caliche From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search

Caliche Forest on San Miguel Island. Caliche (ka-lee'-chee, or sometimes klee'-chee) is a sedimentary rock, a hardened deposit of calcium carbonate

Caliche is generally light-colored, but can range from white to light pink to reddish-brown, depending on the im In northern Chile and Peru, caliche also refers to mineral deposits that include nitrate salts.[1] Caliche can also A similar material, composed of calcium sulfate rather than calcium carbonate, is called gypcrust.

Contents [hide] 1 Formation 2 Examples of natural occurrence 3 Economic uses 3.1 Building applications 3.2 Sugar refining 3.3 Chilean caliche 4 Caliche and gardening 4.1 Problems caused by caliche 5 References 6 Further reading 7 External links

Formation[edit]

Caliche generally forms when minerals leach from the upper layer of the soil (the A horizon) and accumulate in

However, caliche also forms in other ways. It can form when water rises through capillary action. In an arid reg Examples of natural occurrence[edit]

Caliche sedimentary rock, Ridgecrest, Kern County, California While the formation of other caliches is relatively well understood, the origin of Chilean caliche is not clearly kn

One of the world's largest deposits of calcrete is in the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana, where surface calcrete Economic uses[edit] Building applications[edit]

Caliche (the calcium carbonate mineral) is used in construction worldwide. Its reserves in the Llano Estacado in

Caliche berm surrounding a stock tank in central Texas When mixed with small amounts of either pozzolan or Portland cement, caliche can also be used as a building m In many areas, caliche is also used for road construction, either as a surfacing material or, more commonly, as Sugar refining[edit]

A nearly pure source of calcium carbonate is necessary to refine sugar. It must contain at least 95% calcium car Chilean caliche[edit]

In the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, vast deposits of a mixture, also referred to as caliche, are composed o

These deposits are the largest known natural source of nitrates in the world, containing up to 25% sodium nitra Caliche and gardening[edit] Problems caused by caliche[edit]

Caliche beds can cause problems for agriculture. First, an impermeable caliche layer prevents water from drain References[edit]

1.Jump up ^ p. 157, A Most Damnable Invention: Dynamite, Nitrates, and the Making of the Modern World, Ste 2.Jump up ^ C. Michael Hogan (2008) Makgadikgadi, The Megalithic Portal, ed. A. Burnham [1]

Further reading[edit] Breazeale, J.F. and H.V. Smith. Caliche in Arizona. University of Arizona: Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin Price, William Armstrong. Reynosa Problem of Southern Texas, and Origin of Caliche. Bulletin of the American A Reeves, C.C., Jr. Caliche: Origin, Classification, Morphology and Uses. Lubbock, Texas: Estacado Books, 1976. Reeves, C.C., Jr. and J.D. Suggs. Caliche of Central and Southern Llano Estacado, Texas: Notes. Journal of Sedime External links[edit] Conquering Home Yard Caliche

Categories: Carbonates Carbonate minerals Inorganic carbon compounds Limestone Pedology Salts

Navigation menu

Create account Log in

Article

Talk

Read

Edit

View history

Search

Main page Contents Featured content Current events Random article Donate to Wikipedia Wikimedia Shop

Interaction Help About Wikipedia Community portal Recent changes Contact page

Tools

Print/export

Languages Aragons Catal Espaol Italiano ????? Norsk bokml Polski Portugus ??????? ?????????? Edit links This page was last modified on 19 December 2013 at 22:35.

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By u Wikipedia is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. Privacy policy About Wikipedia Disclaimers Contact Wikipedia Developers Mobile view Wikimedia Foundation Powered by MediaWiki

rdened deposit of calcium carbonate. This calcium carbonate cements together other materials, including gravel, sand, clay, and silt. It is

reddish-brown, depending on the impurities present. It generally occurs on or near the surface, but can be found in deeper subsoil depos

ude nitrate salts.[1] Caliche can also refer to various claylike deposits in Mexico and Colombia. In addition, it has been used to describe so

nate, is called gypcrust.

oil (the A horizon) and accumulate in the next layer (the B horizon), at depths of approximately three to 10 feet under the surface. It gene

hrough capillary action. In an arid region, rainwater sinks into the ground very quickly. Later, as the surface dries out, the water below the

gin of Chilean caliche is not clearly known. One possibility is that the deposits were formed when a prehistoric inland sea evaporated. Ano in Botswana, where surface calcretes occur at the location of a now-desiccated prehistoric lake.[2]

. Its reserves in the Llano Estacado in Texas can be used in the manufacture of Portland cement; the caliche meets the chemical composit

aliche can also be used as a building material that exceeds building code requirements for unfired masonry materials. For example, caliche

ing material or, more commonly, as base material. It is one of the most common road materials used in Southern Africa. Caliche is widely

must contain at least 95% calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and have a low magnesium content. In addition, the material must meet certain phy

eferred to as caliche, are composed of gypsum, sodium chloride, and other salts and sand, associated to salitre ("Chile saltpeter"). Salitre,

ld, containing up to 25% sodium nitrate and 3% potassium nitrate, as well as iodate minerals, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, and sodium

iche layer prevents water from draining properly, which can keep roots from getting enough oxygen. Salts can also build up in the soil due

the Making of the Modern World, Stephen R. Bown, Macmillan, 2005, ISBN 0-312-32913-X. , ed. A. Burnham [1]

ricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 131 (15 April 1930): 419-441. of Caliche. Bulletin of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists 17.5 (1933): 488-522. ock, Texas: Estacado Books, 1976. cado, Texas: Notes. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology 34.3 (1964): 669-672.

nse; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. non-profit organization.

uding gravel, sand, clay, and silt. It is found in aridisol and mollisol soil orders. Caliche occurs worldwide, generally in arid or semiarid regio

can be found in deeper subsoil deposits, as well. Layers vary from a few inches to feet thick, and multiple layers can exist in a single locati

ition, it has been used to describe some forms of quartzite, bauxite, kaolinite, laterite, chalcedony, opal, and soda niter.

to 10 feet under the surface. It generally consists of carbonates in semiarid regionsin arid regions, less-soluble minerals form caliche la

rface dries out, the water below the surface rises, carrying up dissolved minerals from lower layers. This water movement forms a caliche

rehistoric inland sea evaporated. Another theory is that it was deposited due to weathering of the Andes.

caliche meets the chemical composition requirements and has been used as a principal raw material in Portland cement production in at l

sonry materials. For example, caliche was used to build some of the Mayan buildings in the Yucatn Peninsula in Mexico. A dormitory in I

d in Southern Africa. Caliche is widely used as a base material when it is locally available and cheap. However it does not hold up to moistu

, the material must meet certain physical requirements so it does not break down when burned. Although caliche does not generally mee

to salitre ("Chile saltpeter"). Salitre, in turn, is a composite of sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and potassium nitrate (KNO3). Salitre was an impo chloride, sodium sulfate, and sodium borate (borax). The caliche beds are from 0.2 to 5 meters thick, and they are mined and refined to

Salts can also build up in the soil due to the lack of drainage. Both of these situations are detrimental to plant growth. Second, the imper

de, generally in arid or semiarid regions, including in central and western Australia, in the Kalahari Desert, in the High Plains of the wester

tiple layers can exist in a single location.

pal, and soda niter.

less-soluble minerals form caliche layers after all the carbonates have been leached from the soil. The deposited calcium carbonate accum

This water movement forms a caliche that tends to grow thinner and branch out as it nears the surface. Plants can contribute to the form

n Portland cement production in at least one Texas plant. Where the calcium carbonate content is over 80%, caliche can also be fired and

Peninsula in Mexico. A dormitory in Ingram, Texas and a demonstration building in Carrizo Springs, Texas for the United States Departmen

owever it does not hold up to moisture (rain), and is never used if a hard rock base material, such as limestone, is available.

ough caliche does not generally meet all of the requirements for sugar refining, it is used in areas where another source of calcium carbo

m nitrate (KNO3). Salitre was an important source of export revenue for Chile until World War I, when Europe began to produce both nitra

, and they are mined and refined to produce a variety of products, including sodium nitrate (for agriculture or industry uses), potassium n

l to plant growth. Second, the impermeable nature of caliche beds prevents plant roots from penetrating the bed, which limits the supply

sert, in the High Plains of the western USA, in the Sonoran Desert, and in Eastern Saudi Arabia Al-Hasa. Caliche is also known as hardpan,

e deposited calcium carbonate accumulatesfirst forming grains, then small clumps, then a discernible layer, and finally, a thicker, solid b

ce. Plants can contribute to the formation of caliche, as well. Plant roots take up water through transpiration, and leave behind the dissolv

ver 80%, caliche can also be fired and used as a source of lime, which can then be used for soil stabilization.

exas for the United States Department of Energy were also built using caliche as part of studies by the Center for Maximum Potential Build

imestone, is available.

ere another source of calcium carbonate, such as limestone, is not present. While caliche requires beneficiation to meet the requirement

Europe began to produce both nitrates industrially in large quantities.

ulture or industry uses), potassium nitrate, sodium sulfate, iodine, and iodine derivatives.

ating the bed, which limits the supply of nutrients, water, and space so they cannot develop normally. Third, caliche beds can also cause th

a. Caliche is also known as hardpan, calcrete, kankar (in India), or duricrust. The term caliche is Spanish and is originally from the Latin cal

ble layer, and finally, a thicker, solid bed. As the caliche layer forms, the layer gradually becomes deeper, and eventually moves into the p

piration, and leave behind the dissolved calcium carbonate, which precipitates to form caliche. It can also form on outcrops of porous roc

e Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems.

eneficiation to meet the requirements, its use can still be significantly cheaper than shipping in limestone.

. Third, caliche beds can also cause the surrounding soil to be basic. The basic soil, along with calcium carbonate from the caliche, can pre

sh and is originally from the Latin calx, meaning lime.

per, and eventually moves into the parent material, which lies under the upper soil horizons.

also form on outcrops of porous rocks or in rock fissures where water is trapped and evaporates. In general, caliche deposition is a slow p

m carbonate from the caliche, can prevent plants from getting enough nutrients, especially iron. An iron deficiency makes the youngest lea

general, caliche deposition is a slow process, but if enough moisture is present in an otherwise arid site, it can accumulate fast enough to

on deficiency makes the youngest leaves turn yellow. Soil saturation above the caliche bed can make the condition worse.

te, it can accumulate fast enough to block a drain pipe.

the condition worse.