Final answer:
Carbonate rock is closely associated with solution cavities, which form over thousands of years as CO2-rich water dissolves limestone, creating features such as stalactites and stalagmites.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carbonate rock is closely associated with solution cavities. This association is seen in limestone deposits forming caves, consisting primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) from the remains of marine organisms such as clams and corals. Through a chemical process, CO2-rich water dissolves the limestone, leading to the formation of caves over thousands of years. As this groundwater seeps into the cave and evaporates, it leaves behind deposits that form stalactites and stalagmites. These features, along with solution cavities, are indicative of the solubility equilibria influenced by atmospheric CO2 and the pH of water.