Content Starts Here
cementation
Encyclopaedia Search
Cementation
The fusion of rock sediments or the remains of microscopic marine organisms into sedimentary rocks. As the material builds up it is compacted together. Cementation occurs as chemical precipitation deposits micro crystals in the spaces between the mineral fragments and grains, holding them together. The ‘cement’ formed may be silica, iron oxide, or carbonate. Cementation contributes to the processes involved in the rock cycle, the formation, change, and reformation of rocks.
Clastic sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone, siltstone, and claystone, are made from the sediments of other rocks. Non-clastic sedimentary rocks, such as limestone and chalk, are of organic origin. Silica cementation takes place below the water table surface; its source is groundwater. Carbonate cementation, also sourced from groundwater, takes place either at above or below ground level. Iron-oxide cementation is less frequent.
© Research Machines plc 2008. All rights reserved. Helicon Publishing is a division of Research Machines plc.
Advertisement starts
Advertisement ends
atmosphere (earth science)
basalt
calcium carbonate
calcium hydroxide
carbon cycle
carbon dioxide
carbonate
cementation
chalk (rock)
chemical weathering
coastal erosion
conglomerate (geology)
continental drift
core (earth science)
crust
earthquake
erosion
evaporation
exfoliation
extrusive rock
fault
fertilizer
fold
fossil
freeze–thaw
global warming
gneiss
granite
gravel
greenhouse effect
helium
igneous rock
intrusive rock
krypton
lava
limestone
lithosphere
magma
mantle
marble
metamorphic rock
metamorphism
mineral
neon
nitrate
nitrogen
nitrogen cycle
ocean
oxygen
physical weathering
plate
plate tectonics
plutonic rock
pollution
Precambrian era
rock
rock cycle
sandstone
schist
seafloor spreading
seawater
sediment
sedimentary rock
shale
silica
slate
soil
volcano
water
water cycle
water pollution
weathering
basalt
calcium carbonate
calcium hydroxide
carbon cycle
carbon dioxide
carbonate
cementation
chalk (rock)
chemical weathering
coastal erosion
conglomerate (geology)
continental drift
core (earth science)
crust
earthquake
erosion
evaporation
exfoliation
extrusive rock
fault
fertilizer
fold
fossil
freeze–thaw
global warming
gneiss
granite
gravel
greenhouse effect
helium
igneous rock
intrusive rock
krypton
lava
limestone
lithosphere
magma
mantle
marble
metamorphic rock
metamorphism
mineral
neon
nitrate
nitrogen
nitrogen cycle
ocean
oxygen
physical weathering
plate
plate tectonics
plutonic rock
pollution
Precambrian era
rock
rock cycle
sandstone
schist
seafloor spreading
seawater
sediment
sedimentary rock
shale
silica
slate
soil
volcano
water
water cycle
water pollution
weathering
Related Links
Georgia Flag
Black recalls the country's tragic past. White reflects the Georgians' hopes for the future. Dark red is the national colour and is said to represent happiness. Effective date: 14 November 1990.
>>
Advertorial
Find out how to buy the things you've always wanted and sell the things you don't on ebay.
Font size
Mail
My account
Help
Community
Print now
Send to a friend
Related articles
Related products
