1997 Volume 31 Issue 4 Pages 211-226
The major component of carbonate materials distributing in the earth's environment is calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate has interesting characteristics, that is, it has three different crystal forms such as calcite, vaterite and aragonite. Thus, the distribution of minor chemical species between parent solution and calcium carbonate precipitate is delicate but interesting. Since the influences of various cations, anions and organic materials dissolved in a parent solution on the polymorphic crystallization and the distribution of minor elements were clarified by the present author, the synthesis of (Ca, Mg) CO3 at low temperatures and pressures was first succeeded. It is also important that the amount of carbonate materials existing in the earth is very large and the greatest reservoir of carbon dioxide is carbonate materials. The present author estimated the sedimentation rate of marine carbonate through the geochemical balance of calcium ions after the careful examination on water-rock interaction on continent. He has tried to discuss the birth and evolution of air and sea through the discussion on those of carbon dioxide. Also the role of carbonate sedimentation in the sea on global warming has been clarified.
