When acidic rainwater falls on limestone or chalk, a chemical reaction happens. New, soluble, substances are formed in the reaction. These dissolve in the water, and then are washed away, weathering the rock.

Limestone is an alkaline agent with the ability to neutralize, or partially neutralize strong acids. The pH neutralization process occurs as strong acids react with the calcium carbonate in the limestone through intimate contact with small limestone chips.

Calcium carbonate, the chief component of limestone, is a widely used amendment to neutralize soil acidity and to supply calcium (Ca) for plant nutrition. The term “lime” can refer to several products, but for agricultural use it generally refers to ground limestone.

Soil acidity is ameliorated by applying lime or other acid-neutralizing materials. ‘Liming’ also reduces N2O emissions, but this is more than offset by CO2 emissions from the lime as it neutralizes acidity.

Effect of Limestone Acids in acid rain promote the dissolution of calcium carbonate by reacting with the carbonate anion. The presence of limestone and other calcium carbonate rock in lakes and streams helps to maintain a constant pH because the minerals react with the excess acid.

What is lime? Lime is a soil amendment made from ground limestone rock, which naturally contains calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. When lime is added to soil, these compounds work to increase the soil’s pH, making soil less acidic and more alkaline.

Addition of excess lime can make soil so alkaline that plants cannot take up nutrients even when these nutrients are present in the soil. The soil may also accumulate excess salts. These conditions stunt plants and cause yellowing of leaves. Often, while leaves turn yellow, the leaf veins remain green.

If heavy rain is on the way, delay applying lime or fertilizer until after the showers are over. Water your lawn to moisten the grass and soil before applying lime and fertilizer. After applying these products, give the lawn another sprinkle to encourage the soil to absorb the minerals and nutrients.

Lime also needs water to create a reaction in the soil, so if soil is dry it takes longer to see any improvement in your lawn. Even under perfect moisture conditions, it can take up to one year before you see results.

To save you time (and likely money), it’s okay to apply lime and fertilizer at the same time. The fertilizer will provide an immediate supply of nutrients to the soil, while the lime will release slowly over time and maintain the appropriate pH balance.

Signs You Need to Apply Lime

1. You have sandy or clay soil.
2. Weeds or moss have grown in your yard.
3. The fertilizer you’re using doesn’t appear to be working.
4. Your area experiences a lot of rainfall, especially acid rain.
5. The grass is yellowing.

Inhaling lime dust may lead to irritation of breathing passages, coughing and sneezing. If ingested, lime can cause pain, vomiting, bleeding, diarrhea, a drop in blood pressure, collapse, and in prolonged cases, it can cause a perforation of the esophagus or stomach lining.

Long-term exposure by inhalation may cause permanent damage. This product contains crystalline silica, which has been classified by IARC as (Group I) carcinogenic to humans when inhaled.

Inhalation: Limestone dust: May cause respiratory tract irritation. Adverse symptoms may include respiratory tract irritation and coughing. Prolonged or repeated inhalation of respirable crystalline silica liberated from this product can cause silicosis, a fibrosis (scarring) of the lungs, and may cause cancer.

Ways to clear the lungs

1. Steam therapy. Steam therapy, or steam inhalation, involves inhaling water vapor to open the airways and help the lungs drain mucus.
2. Controlled coughing.
3. Drain mucus from the lungs.
4. Exercise.
5. Green tea.
6. Anti-inflammatory foods.
7. Chest percussion.

Besides macrophages, the lungs have another system for the removal of dust. The lungs can react to the presence of germ-bearing particles by producing certain proteins. These proteins attach to particles to neutralize them. Dusts are tiny solid particles scattered or suspended in the air.

Eye contact, skin contact, inhalation, and ingestion. Effects Resulting from Eye Contact: Eye contact by large amounts of dry powder or splashes of wet limestone dust may cause effects ranging from moderate eye irritation to chemical burns or blindness.

Disposal: Dispose of contents/ container to an approved waste disposal plant. In case of eye contact : Rinse immediately with plenty of water, also under the eyelids, for at least 15 minutes.

Limewater is a saturated solution of calcium hydroxide, less than 0.02 M. Even a saturated solution of calcium hydroxide is so dilute that it is not classed as IRRITANT, despite pH = 12.4. However, limewater is usually made in schools by adding excess solid calcium hydroxide (or oxide) to water.

Hydrated lime is also called calcium hydroxide. This simple substance has been mixed with water and sprayed over plants as a basic pesticide for many years. It is known to repel aphids, flea beetles, Colorado potato beetles, squash bugs, cucumber bugs and other undesirable insects.

The chemicals that make up the lime powder do not kill ants. But ants do hate lime and will do anything to stay away from it. By sprinkling a line in front of your garden, you’re creating a barrier that they will not cross. And spreading it all over your lawn means the ants might as well move next door.

Plants That Need Lime If you’ve decided to grow a vegetable patch, then the kind of plants that will benefit from lime include legumes such as peas and broad beans. Other popular homegrown vegetables that benefit from lime include onions, garlic, parsnips, asparagus, and English spinach.

Plants. Lime makes soils less acidic and more alkaline. By adding lime to the soil, you can kill a variety of pest plants. Fewer nutrients become available to the unwanted plants as the soil becomes less acidic.

For most gardeners, fall is a good time to add lime. Working lime into the soil in the fall gives it several months to dissolve before spring planting. To add lime to the soil, first prepare the bed by tilling or digging to a depth of 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm.).

Two types of lime are commonly used in lawns and gardens, agricultural lime and dolomitic lime. Agricultural lime, also sold as garden lime, is made from calcium carbonate.