Calcite Reaction

• Calcite is composed of calcium, carbon and oxygen

• CaCO3 = Calcium Carbonate

• Found naturally as calcite and chalk

• Acid reacts and gives off carbon dioxide (CO2)

Formation of limestone

• Calcium carbonate becomes so concentrated in the sea water that calcite crystallizes out of the sea water to form limestone.

• Most limestone forms with organisms usually found at the bottom of shallow seas.

Fossil Groups

Corals• Sea creatures• Live solitary or in colonies

Brachiopods• Shellfish • Attached to sea bottom

Bivalves• Shellfish • Two hinged shells• Examples are clams and

musselsGastropods• Snail like animals• Single shell

More Fossil Groups

Trilobites• Extinct sea creatures• Earliest form of arthropod

Crinoids• Known as sea lilies• Marine creatures that

attach to a seabed

Plant Fossils• Ferns are typical of

floodplains and swamps

Fossil Evidence

Kaibab Formation• Braciopods/ sponges• 260 million years old

Toroweap formation• Brachiopods, bryozoans• 260 million years old

Coconino Sandstone• Fossils of animal tracks• Lizard tracks• 270 million years old

Hermit Shale• Fern and insect wings• 275 million years old

Supai Group• No Fossils• 325-275 million years old

Redwall Limestone• Braciopods • 360 million years old

Temple Butte Limestone• Primitive armored fish,

conodonts• 385 Million Years

Muav Limestone• Brachiopods, trilobites• 530 million years old

Bright Angel Shale

• Trilobites, burrows, tracks and trails of snails worms and trilobites

• 540 million years old

Arthropods- insects, arachnids, crustatians

Tapeats Sandstone• Tubeworm burrows• 545 million years old

Vishnu Schist• No fossils• 1.7 billion years old