Final answer:
Dissolved limestone, composed primarily of calcium carbonate, can form caves, sinkholes, stalactites, and stalagmites. It can also bind with silica and silicates in furnaces to form calcium oxide, aiding in smelting processes. Moreover, in the ocean, it contributes to the formation of calcium carbonate in marine organism shells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dissolved limestone, predominantly composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), can form various geological structures and substances. When limestone dissolves in water containing dissolved carbon dioxide, it can create caves and sinkholes as the limestone erodes, leaving behind these unique formations when conditions change.
Inside caves, stalactites and stalagmites can form when drops of water containing dissolved calcium hydrogen carbonate evaporate, depositing calcium carbonate and growing the structures over time. In addition, dissolved limestone can form calcium oxide in furnaces, which subsequently binds with silica and silicates to help in the smelting process. Also, in the ocean, dissolved limestone can form calcium carbonate, a key component of many marine organisms' shells.
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