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Environmental Applications
Limestone produced by Longcliffe brings massive economic and environmental benefits to the whole of the UK. Major environmental uses of our limestone include:
- Flue gas desulphurisation
- Water & waste treatment
- Reducing acidity in soil, rivers and lakes
- Gabions for erosion prevention
Flue-gas desulphurisation
Limestone is used to neutralise and remove acids present in the flue gases of power generating facilities, and is used in flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) at coal fired power plants and municipal waste-to-energy plants. In particular, limestone is used to fix sulphur dioxide from flue gases forming gypsum, which can then be used in the production of plaster or wall board.
Water & waste treatment
Limestone is used in the treatment of waste and drinking water to remineralise excessively soft water (aggressive to pipes) and to adjust the pH of acidic waters. Longcliffe supplies water companies and other bodies with specially prepared limestone powder to neutralise acid lakes, waterways and reservoirs.
Reducing acidity in soil, rivers and lakes
Over time the acidity of soils tends to increase – a product of air pollution, use of agrochemicals and some natural processes. The addition of calcium carbonate helps stabilise the acidity of the soil and provides essential calcium for support of crops. Liming is well understood to hold the key to improving crop growth and yields by limiting the adverse affects of high soil acidity (low pH values).
The acidification of open waters, such as lakes, can have a major impact on ecological diversity and fish stocks. Lake liming with calcium carbonate is used to counteract problems of low acidity and helps to restore the balance of natural eco-systems.
The UK Environment Agency has used our limestone to rectify acidity levels in rivers. Longcliffe also sponsored the Three Straths river improvement scheme in Aberdeenshire.
Gabions for erosion prevention
Gabions are a wire mesh cage filled with rock, used to protect channel banks and other sloping areas form erosion. Longcliffe produces screened random stone suitable for gabion fill.
Gabions are used in many situations including the stabilization of earth movement and erosion, river control, reservoirs, canal refurbishment, landscaping and retaining walls.
Other
Longcliffe also supplies limestone powder as passive fire protection (dust suppression) in hazardous environments, for example coal mines.
Natural Chemistry...Pure Science
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