Question

Write chemical formula and uses of the Caliche.

Answer 1

Hint: The use of the given substance is hidden in its definition. Caliche is a rock and form of calcium carbonate that helps in binding of the materials. It is also known by different names. Specially in India it is known as calcrete or kankar.

Complete answer:
Firstly we had asked about its chemical formula.
So the chemical formula of Caliché is \[NaNO_3.NaIO_3\]
Secondly about its uses:
So if we see what Caliche is it is a sedimentary rock and a hardened natural cement of calcium carbonate that binds other materials. So it is used in construction worldwide. The caliche meets the chemical composition requirements and it has been used as a principal raw material in Portland cement production in a Texas plant. Also it is used in many countries for road construction.
Another use of Caliche is it is often used for walls and interior decorations in public buildings.

Additional Information:
Caliche is generally light colored but they are present in different ranges from white to light pink to red. This all depends on the impurities present in it.
When in caliche maximum content of calcium carbonate is found almost 80% then it can be used lime and which can be used for soil stabilization.
It is widely used as base material when it is easily available and cheap. But the only thing is that it does not hold up to moisture, that is it can’t hold rains.
It is significantly cheaper for shipping anywhere. In some areas it is used for sugar refining.
But some problems are caused by caliche. It is a problem for agriculture. It prevents water from draining properly and this keeps roots away from getting enough oxygen. Hence result in the problem of plant growth. It also prevents supply of nutrients, water and space, hence they don’t develop properly. It causes iron deficiency for the plants and turns the young leaves into yellow. It basically has high pH conditions.

Note:The key point to be remembered about Caliche is that it consists of calcium carbonate. The presence of calcium carbonate helps it in binding of the materials. Also it is a very hard type of material which is used as a type of natural cement.