Kalkkikivinen

Kalkkikivinen is a Finnish adjective used to describe rocks, soils or terrains that consist predominantly of limestone (kalkkivi) or contain significant calcareous material. The term is formed from kalkkikivi and the suffix -nen, and it is commonly found in geology, soil science and archaeology to indicate calcium carbonate–rich material.

Geologically, kalkkivinen rock is typically a sedimentary rock built mainly from calcite (CaCO3) or related minerals. It often forms from the accumulation of marine organism shells and skeletal fragments or through direct chemical precipitation in past seas. Kalkkivinen rocks commonly display features such as bedding, fossil content, and varying degrees of recrystallization. When exposed to acidic reagents, these rocks usually fizz due to the dissolution of calcite.

Soils and environmental aspects associated with kalkkivinen substrates tend to be calcareous, with higher pH and elevated calcium content. This affects plant communities, mineral weathering, and groundwater chemistry. In construction and archaeology, the term is used to describe lime-containing materials, such as limestone-based building stones or calcareous mortars, and to characterize stratigraphic units rich in Kalkkikivi.

The concept is often employed in geological mapping, stratigraphy, and environmental geology to distinguish limestone-rich intervals from other rock types. Related terms include kalkkivi, calcareous soil, and karst landscapes, which arise from the dissolution of kalkkivinen rocks.