Final answer:
Limestone is the sedimentary rock used as building material, composed of calcite and aragonite from marine organisms' skeletons. It has been used in construction extensively due to its durability, with quarrying practices showing historical extraction methods. Marble and granite, mentioned as alternatives, are metamorphic and igneous rocks, respectively. So, the best answer a, Limestone.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sedimentary rock that is used as a building material, which is largely composed of calcite and aragonite from the skeletal fragments of marine organisms like coral and foraminifera, is Limestone.
Limestone is a type of sedimentary rock that has been utilized in construction for centuries due to its durability and availability.
The process of obtaining limestone involves quarrying where quarry marks are often found on surviving structures, showing that wooden wedges soaked in water were used to split the stone along its natural fault lines.
As opposed to limestone, Shale is a different type of sedimentary rock, and Marble and Granite are not sedimentary; marble is metamorphic, formed from limestone under heat and pressure, and granite is an igneous rock.
Historic and modern buildings, especially those designed with an emphasis on durability and aesthetic appeal, have frequently incorporated limestone for features such as corners, supports, columns, and other structural elements.
So, the best answer a, Limestone.