Possibilities of utilization of Jurassic limestones and waste raw materials generated during their processing – a case study from central Poland

Aim of the study The characteristics of the analyzed carbonate rocks in terms of their geological setting, lithological features, and quality parameters are presented. Material and methods Jurassic limestones from the Działoszyn region were subjected to characterization for lithological features and quality parameters in relation to the geological conditions of their deposits. The study also included the physicochemical characteristics of carbonate-clay flour in terms of the possibility of using it in the fertilizer industry. The samples that have been subject of analyses have been collected from Raciszyn and Raciszyn II deposits that currently have been exploited. Results and conclusions The deposits are characterized by high content of CaCO3 (on average, approx. 93%). Among other minerals, important in terms of the possibility of being used as fertilizers, there are: MgO (0.55–1.34%), followed by Fe2O3 (approx. 0.4%), and Al2O3 (0.07-2.49%). In contrast, in the waste raw material, i.e. carbonate-clay flour, similarly to the limestones from the Raciszyn deposits, there is (apart from carbonates) also magnesium, potassium and sulfur as well as small amounts of phosphorus and sodium, which is indicative of the possibility of using this material as a deacidifying agent. The content of microelements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Mo) in carbonate-clay flour indicates that this material constitutes a potential source of these nutrients for plant mineral nutrition. The content of heavy metals and metalloid (Cd, Pb, Hg, Ni, Cr, etc) is very low and lower than the acceptable content in liming agents and mineral fertilizers.