Dolostone is a sedimentary carbonate rock that contains a high percentage of the mineral dolomite. It is usually referred to as dolomite rock. In old U.S.G.S. publications it was referred to as magnesian limestone. Most dolostone formed as a magnesium replacement of limestone or lime mud prior to lithification. It is resistant to erosion and can either contain bedded layers or be unbedded. It is less soluble than limestone in weakly acidic groundwater, but it can still develop solution features over time. Two types of sedimentary rock: limey shale overlaid by limestone. ... Carbonate rocks are a class of sedimentary rocks composed primarily of carbonate minerals. ... This article is about minerals in the geologic sense; for nutrient minerals see dietary mineral; for the band see Mineral (band). ... Dolomite crystals from Touissite, Morocco Dolomite is the name of both a carbonate rock and a mineral (formula: CaMg(CO3)2) consisting of a calcium magnesium carbonate found in crystals. ... Sedimentary, volcanic, plutonic, metamorphic rock types of North America. ... The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is a scientific agency of the United States government. ... Limey shale overlaid by limestone. ... General Name, Symbol, Number magnesium, Mg, 12 Chemical series alkaline earth metals Group, Period, Block 2, 3, s Appearance silvery white Atomic mass 24. ... Lime has several meanings: Look up Lime in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Lime (mineral) - a group of calcium compounds and minerals in which they predominate, including: Limestone Agricultural lime - a mineral soil additive Calcium oxide (also quicklime) - a chemical compound Calcium hydroxide (also slaked lime) - a chemical compound Lime (fruit... Look up Erosion in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Severe soil erosion in a wheat field near Washington State University, USA. Erosion is the displacement of solids (soil, mud, rock, and so forth) by the agents of wind, water, ice, movement in response to gravity, or living organisms (in the case... For alternative meanings see acid (disambiguation). ... Groundwater is water flowing within aquifers below the water table. ...

The term dolostone was introduced to avoid confusion with the mineral dolomite. The usage of the term dolostone is controversial because the word dolomite was first applied to the rock during the late eighteenth century and thus has technical precedence. The use of the term dolostone is not recommended by the Glossary of Geology published by the American Geological Institute (AGI). It is, however, used in some geological publications.

References

1. Blatt, Harvey and Robert J. Tracy (1996). Petrology; Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic, 2nd Ed. pp. 317-323. W. H. Freeman. ISBN 0-7167-2438-3.
2. Tucker, M. E. and Wright, V. P. (1990). Carbonate Sedimentology, 482 p.. Blackwell Scientific Publications. ISBN 0-632-01472-5.
3. Zenger, D. H.. and Mazzullo, S. J. (1982). Dolomitization, 426 p.. Hutchinson Ross Publishing Co. ISBN 0-87933-416-9.

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