Carbonaterich

Carbonaterich (also written as carbonate-rich) is a descriptor used in geology, soil science, hydrology, and related fields to denote substances or environments that contain a high proportion of carbonate minerals, such as calcite (CaCO3) and dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2). The term is not a strict technical category; its exact threshold depends on context, but it generally indicates carbonate content sufficient to influence physical, chemical, and biological properties of the material or system.

In rocks, carbonate-rich compositions characterize carbonate rocks such as limestone and dolostone, which form through biological or chemical precipitation of carbonates. They influence diagenesis, porosity, and permeability, and they often act as reservoir rocks for hydrocarbons or aquifers for groundwater.

In soils, calcareous or carbonate-rich soils have notable calcium carbonate accumulation, often forming nodules or coatings. These soils tend to be alkaline (high pH) and can affect nutrient availability, micronutrient solubility, and vegetation. Weathering of underlying carbonate rock and carbonate translocation contribute to their formation.

In hydrology and limnology, carbonate-rich waters contain substantial carbonate alkalinity, which buffers pH changes and supports certain biological communities. Interaction with carbonate rocks can drive karst processes, speleogenesis, and cave development.

Measurement and reporting often involve the percentage of carbonate minerals by weight, carbonate minerals as calcite equivalent, and measurements of alkalinity or total inorganic carbon. The term is also used in environmental assessments to describe carbonate-rich zones and their relevance to soil fertility, water chemistry, and geological resource potential.