Marl

Marl or marlstone is a calcium carbonate or lime-rich mud or mudstone which contains variable amounts of clays and silt. The dominant carbonate mineral in most marls is calcite, but other carbonate minerals such as aragonite, dolomite, and siderite may be present. Marl was originally an old term loosely applied to a variety of materials, most of which occur as loose, earthy deposits consisting chiefly of an intimate mixture of clay and calcium carbonate, formed under freshwater conditions; specifically an earthy substance containing 35–65% clay and 65–35% carbonate.

Formation

Marl is a sedimentary rock that is formed from the sedimentation of tiny marine organisms in ocean or lake environments. The process of formation involves the accumulation of these organisms' shells and bones in the marine environment which are then mixed with silt and clay.

Uses

Historically, the term marl was used to describe a wide range of agricultural and industrial materials, including clay, silt, sand, and various types of limestone. Today, it is primarily used in the construction industry as a raw material for the production of cement and other building materials.

See also

• Clay
• Silt
• Sand
• Limestone
• Cement
• Building materials

References

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Marl

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  Piece of marl

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  Scala dei Turchi panorama

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  Marl vs clay & lime

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  Channel Tunnel geological profile

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  Siseebakwet Lake MN Marl deposition