Calcareous

Calcareous refers to a sediment, sedimentary rock, or soil type which is formed from or contains a high proportion of calcium carbonate in the form of calcite or aragonite.

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Calcareous rock also refers to sediments derived near land. The carbon content is high due to life-derived sediments. The farther from land sediments fall, the less calcareous the are, usually. There are of course exceptions. Some areas can have inter bedded calcareous sediments due to storms or changes in ocean currents.

It is also used to refer to relatively alkaline soil. Frequently this is indeed due to a high calcareous content but there are other causes for a high soil pH.

Calcareous coatings, or calcareous deposits, are mixtures of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide that are deposited on cathodically protected surfaces because of the increased pH adjacent to the surface.

Australian soil classification

Under the ASC calcarosols are calcareous throughout their profile