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Caliche
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Caliche Forest on San Miguel Island.
Caliche (ka-lee'-chee, or sometimes klee'-chee) is a sedimentary rock, a hardened dep
Caliche is generally light-colored, but can range from white to light pink to reddish-bro
In northern Chile and Peru, caliche also refers to mineral deposits that include nitrate
A similar material, composed of calcium sulfate rather than calcium carbonate, is calle
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]
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Caliche generally forms when minerals leach from the upper layer of the soil (the A ho
However, caliche also forms in other ways. It can form when water rises through capill
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 Chile
One of the world's largest deposits of calcrete is in the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswan
Economic uses[edit]
Building applications[edit]
Caliche (the calcium carbonate mineral) is used in construction worldwide. Its reserve
Caliche berm surrounding a stock tank in central Texas
When mixed with small amounts of either pozzolan or Portland cement, caliche can al
In many areas, caliche is also used for road construction, either as a surfacing material
Sugar refining[edit]
A nearly pure source of calcium carbonate is necessary to refine sugar. It must contain
Chilean caliche[edit]
In the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, vast deposits of a mixture, also referred to a
These deposits are the largest known natural source of nitrates in the world, containi
Caliche and gardening[edit]
Problems caused by caliche[edit]
Caliche beds can cause problems for agriculture. First, an impermeable caliche layer p
References[edit]
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1.Jump up ^ p. 157, A Most Damnable Invention: Dynamite, Nitrates, and the Making
2.Jump up ^ C. Michael Hogan (2008) Makgadikgadi, The Megalithic Portal, ed. A. Bur
Further reading[edit]
Breazeale, J.F. and H.V. Smith. Caliche in Arizona. University of Arizona: Agricultural Ex
Price, William Armstrong. Reynosa Problem of Southern Texas, and Origin of Caliche.Reeves, C.C., Jr. Caliche: Origin, Classification, Morphology and Uses. Lubbock, Texas:
Reeves, C.C., Jr. and J.D. Suggs. Caliche of Central and Southern Llano Estacado, Texas:
External links[edit]
Conquering Home Yard Caliche
Categories: Carbonates
Carbonate minerals
Inorganic carbon compounds
Limestone
Pedology
Salts
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osit of calcium carbonate. This calcium carbonate cements together other materials, including gravel
wn, depending on the impurities present. It generally occurs on or near the surface, but can be foun
salts.[1] Caliche can also refer to various claylike deposits in Mexico and Colombia. In addition, it has
d gypcrust.
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rizon) and accumulate in the next layer (the B horizon), at depths of approximately three to 10 feet
lary action. In an arid region, rainwater sinks into the ground very quickly. Later, as the surface dries
n caliche is not clearly known. One possibility is that the deposits were formed when a prehistoric inl
a, where surface calcretes occur at the location of a now-desiccated prehistoric lake.[2]
in the Llano Estacado in Texas can be used in the manufacture of Portland cement; the caliche meet
so be used as a building material that exceeds building code requirements for unfired masonry mate
or, more commonly, as base material. It is one of the most common road materials used in Souther
at least 95% calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and have a low magnesium content. In addition, the materi
caliche, are composed of gypsum, sodium chloride, and other salts and sand, associated to salitre ("
g up to 25% sodium nitrate and 3% potassium nitrate, as well as iodate minerals, sodium chloride, s
events water from draining properly, which can keep roots from getting enough oxygen. Salts can al
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f the Modern World, Stephen R. Bown, Macmillan, 2005, ISBN 0-312-32913-X.
ham [1]
periment Station Bulletin 131 (15 April 1930): 419-441.
ulletin of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists 17.5 (1933): 488-522.stacado Books, 1976.
Notes. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology 34.3 (1964): 669-672.
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al terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
rganization.
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, sand, clay, and silt. It is found in aridisol and mollisol soil orders. Caliche occurs worldwide, generall
in deeper subsoil deposits, as well. Layers vary from a few inches to feet thick, and multiple layers c
been used to describe some forms of quartzite, bauxite, kaolinite, laterite, chalcedony, opal, and sod
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nder the surface. It generally consists of carbonates in semiarid regionsin arid regions, less-soluble
ut, the water below the surface rises, carrying up dissolved minerals from lower layers. This water
land sea evaporated. Another theory is that it was deposited due to weathering of the Andes.
s the chemical composition requirements and has been used as a principal raw material in Portland
ials. For example, caliche was used to build some of the Mayan buildings in the Yucatn Peninsula in
Africa. Caliche is widely used as a base material when it is locally available and cheap. However it d
al must meet certain physical requirements so it does not break down when burned. Although calich
Chile saltpeter"). Salitre, in turn, is a composite of sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and potassium nitrate (KN
dium sulfate, and sodium borate (borax). The caliche beds are from 0.2 to 5 meters thick, and they a
so build up in the soil due to the lack of drainage. Both of these situations are detrimental to plant gr
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in arid or semiarid regions, including in central and western Australia, in the Kalahari Desert, in the
an exist in a single location.
a niter.
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minerals form caliche layers after all the carbonates have been leached from the soil. The deposited
ovement forms a caliche that tends to grow thinner and branch out as it nears the surface. Plants ca
ement production in at least one Texas plant. Where the calcium carbonate content is over 80%, cali
Mexico. A dormitory in Ingram, Texas and a demonstration building in Carrizo Springs, Texas for the
es not hold up to moisture (rain), and is never used if a hard rock base material, such as limestone, i
e does not generally meet all of the requirements for sugar refining, it is used in areas where anothe
O3). Salitre was an important source of export revenue for Chile until World War I, when Europe be
re mined and refined to produce a variety of products, including sodium nitrate (for agriculture or in
owth. Second, the impermeable nature of caliche beds prevents plant roots from penetrating the be
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igh Plains of the western USA, in the Sonoran Desert, and in Eastern Saudi Arabia Al-Hasa. Caliche is
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calcium carbonate accumulatesfirst forming grains, then small clumps, then a discernible layer, an
n contribute to the formation of caliche, as well. Plant roots take up water through transpiration, an
iche can also be fired and used as a source of lime, which can then be used for soil stabilization.
United States Department of Energy were also built using caliche as part of studies by the Center for
available.
source of calcium carbonate, such as limestone, is not present. While caliche requires beneficiation
an to produce both nitrates industrially in large quantities.
ustry uses), potassium nitrate, sodium sulfate, iodine, and iodine derivatives.
, which limits the supply of nutrients, water, and space so they cannot develop normally. Third, calic
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also known as hardpan, calcrete, kankar (in India), or duricrust. The term caliche is Spanish and is ori
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d finally, a thicker, solid bed. As the caliche layer forms, the layer gradually becomes deeper, and ev
leave behind the dissolved calcium carbonate, which precipitates to form caliche. It can also form o
Maximum Potential Building Systems.
to meet the requirements, its use can still be significantly cheaper than shipping in limestone.
he beds can also cause the surrounding soil to be basic. The basic soil, along with calcium carbonate
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ginally from the Latin calx, meaning lime.
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ntually moves into the parent material, which lies under the upper soil horizons.
n outcrops of porous rocks or in rock fissures where water is trapped and evaporates. In general, cali
rom the caliche, can prevent plants from getting enough nutrients, especially iron. An iron deficienc
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che deposition is a slow process, but if enough moisture is present in an otherwise arid site, it can ac
makes the youngest leaves turn yellow. Soil saturation above the caliche bed can make the conditio
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cumulate fast enough to block a drain pipe.