Biochemical sedimentary rocks are commonly composed of which mineral?

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Multiple Choice

Biochemical sedimentary rocks are commonly composed of which mineral?

Explanation:
Biochemical sedimentary rocks form from materials produced by living organisms. In the ocean, many creatures build shells from calcium carbonate. When these calcium carbonate-rich remains accumulate and become lithified, the resulting rock is dominated by calcium carbonate minerals (calcite and aragonite). That makes calcium carbonate the defining mineral for these rocks, such as limestone. Gypsum and feldspar are not characteristic of biochemical rocks—gypsum is more typical of evaporite (chemical) rocks, and feldspar is a silicate mineral common in other rock types. Silica can appear in some biogenic rocks (like chert), but the classic biochemical rocks are built from CaCO3, so calcium carbonate is the best answer.

Biochemical sedimentary rocks form from materials produced by living organisms. In the ocean, many creatures build shells from calcium carbonate. When these calcium carbonate-rich remains accumulate and become lithified, the resulting rock is dominated by calcium carbonate minerals (calcite and aragonite). That makes calcium carbonate the defining mineral for these rocks, such as limestone. Gypsum and feldspar are not characteristic of biochemical rocks—gypsum is more typical of evaporite (chemical) rocks, and feldspar is a silicate mineral common in other rock types. Silica can appear in some biogenic rocks (like chert), but the classic biochemical rocks are built from CaCO3, so calcium carbonate is the best answer.

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