Solution rate of limestone in Japan

Abstract

Solution rates of four tablets made from limestone obtained in Slovenia, Guilin (China), Chichibu (Japan), and samples of limestone from each observation point were measured in seven limestone areas in Japan from 1993 to 1997. Solution rates in the air 1.5m above the ground show a high correlation between water surplus (WS) and water deficit (WD) by Thornthwaite's method. Solution rates of limestone tablets in soils show values 1.5 to 5 times higher than those in the air. The solution rates of limestone tablets in A1 and B2 horizons show high correlation coefficients with annual precipitation. High solution rates in soils may be related to high CO2 values under humid and warm periods.In 1993, when a cool and humid summer prevailed in almost all of Japan, the trend of solution rates increased with the WS-WD ratio showing the largest range during the five years. In 1994, which had an extremely hot and dry summer with a return period of about 100 years, the trend of the solution rates increased with the WS-WD ratio having the lowest range during five years. Solution rates of limestone tablets in the air at each point increased with the WS-WD ratio over the five year period.