Glossary
anaerobic soils: soils without oxygen
bedrock: the solid rock beneath the looser soils of the earth's surface
calcite: a mineral composed of calcium carbonate
calcium carbonate (CaCO3): a mineral compound that is the main mineral in rocks such as limestone, marble, calcite, aragonite and chalk
calcium bicarbonate (CaHCO3): a combination of calcium carbonate and carbon dioxide (the "bi" represents the two elements of carbon)
carbon dioxide (CO2): a heavy, odorless, noncombustible gas that is in the air. People and animals expel it when breathing out, and plant life absorbs it
carbonic acid (H2CO3): an acid formed when water mixes with carbon dioxide
consolidated: the act of becoming solid. The joining of multiple elements into one
crystalline: made of, or similar to crystal
crystallize: to become crystalline
dissolve: to disintegrate
dissolution: the process of changing from a solid form into a fluid form
erode: to gradually wear away
genesis: the origin or beginning of something
geography: the study of the earth's natural features, weather and life
