Calcium carbonate (CaCO3), a common mineral also known as limestone or marble, has diverse applications across numerous industries. It's used in construction, manufacturing, medicine, and even agriculture and animal husbandry.
Key Uses of Calcium Carbonate:
- Construction:CaCO3 is a key component in cement and is used as a building material like marble.
- Manufacturing:It serves as a filler and pigment in paper, plastics, paints, and coatings.
- Medicine:CaCO3 is used as an antacid, a calcium supplement, and in some cases, as a phosphate binder for kidney disease treatment.
- Agriculture and Animal Husbandry:It's used as a soil amendment to improve soil acidity and as a dietary supplement for livestock.
- Other Uses:CaCO3 is used in making blackboard chalk, in toothpaste as a mild abrasive, and as a flux in metal extraction. It can also be used in water treatment, cleaning products, and as a pH regulator in swimming pools.