Calcium Carbonate Equivalence

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Calcium Carbonate Equivalence
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Calcium carbonate equivalence (CCE) provides an
expression of the acid neutralising capacity of a
substance relative to pure calcium carbonate. It
is expressed as a percentage. Calcite,
therefore, has a CCE of 100. When calcium
carbonate is applied to acid soils (as lime), it
reacts as follows   CaCO3 2H ? Ca2 H2O
CO2   Thus, soil acids are consumed and so pH
increases.
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Calcium carbonate acts as a natural buffer
against acidification. Industrial products such
as slags, flue dust and refuse sludges contain a
high percentage of calcium carbonate, although
the slags are usually calcium or magnesium
silicates. Thus industrial products within urban
areas may contribute to CEE which in turn
contributes to increased buffering capacity to
acidification.