What is the chemical formula for dolomitic limestone?

Dolomitic limestone is primarily composed of the mineral dolomite, which has the chemical formula CaMg(CO3)2. This formula indicates that dolomitic limestone contains both calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in its composition, with each cation associated with a carbonate ion (CO3) in a 1:1 ratio with respect to the cations.

The presence of both calcium and magnesium makes dolomitic limestone an important soil amendment and source of calcium and magnesium for plants. It is commonly used in agriculture to improve soil quality and provide essential nutrients to crops. The carbonate portion of the formula also plays a role in neutralizing soil acidity, further enhancing its utility in nutrient management practices.

The other choices represent different compounds that do not correlate with dolomitic limestone. For instance, calcium silicate (CaSiO3) is used in some agricultural applications but does not contain magnesium. Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and calcium oxide (CaO) are also important in various chemical processes but lack the magnesium component and structural composition that defines dolomitic limestone. Thus, the chemical formula CaMg(CO3)2 accurately describes dolomitic limestone and is essential to understanding its contributions to soil