<p>Karkar is made of calcium carbonate.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>then why it happens only in arid soil?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Because this is what happens to calcium carbonate in wet environments:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/QGxn8.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/QGxn8.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>It dissolves away, forming a cave. Calcium carbonate, or calcite, is soluble in mildly acidic solutions. Rainwater is mildly acidic because of CO<sub>2</sub> from the atmosphere dissolving in it, so it never allows for the formation of calcium carbonate deposits in the soil to begin with.</p>
<p>As for why it forms in arid soils, the Wikipedia page for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliche" rel="noreferrer">Caliche</a> explains it well:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Caliche generally forms when minerals leach from the upper layer of the soil (the A horizon) and accumulate in the next layer (the B horizon), at depths around 3 to 10 feet under the surface. It generally consists of carbonates in semiarid regions—in arid regions, less-soluble minerals form caliche layers after all the carbonates have been leached from the soil. The deposited calcium carbonate accumulates—first forming grains, then small clumps, then a discernible layer, and finally, a thicker, solid bed. As the caliche layer forms, the layer gradually becomes deeper, and eventually moves into the parent material, which lies under the upper soil horizons.</p>
<p>However, caliche also forms in other ways. It can form when water rises through capillary action. In an arid region, rainwater sinks into the ground very quickly. Later, as the surface dries out, the water below the surface rises, carrying up dissolved minerals from lower layers. This water movement forms a caliche that tends to grow thinner and branch out as it nears the surface. Plants can contribute to the formation of caliche, as well. Plant roots take up water through transpiration, and leave behind the dissolved calcium carbonate, which precipitates to form caliche. It can also form on outcrops of porous rocks or in rock fissures where water is trapped and evaporates. In general, caliche deposition is a slow process, but if enough moisture is present in an otherwise arid site, it can accumulate fast enough to block a drain pipe.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>(photo from <a href="http://www.naturephoto-cz.com/karst-cave-photo-24442.html" rel="noreferrer">http://www.naturephoto-cz.com/karst-cave-photo-24442.html</a>)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-12T03:46:45.557Z
Thanks for the clarification, but how come calcium carbonate or caliche can block a drain pipe, as mentioned in your answer? Its a soluble material & hence should get dissolved in water. Is it because it is not present in pure form or is there any other reason?
Vandana
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-11T10:32:15.623Z
2018-09-11T10:32:15.623Z
2020-06-18T08:25:19.090Z
Gimelist
<p>I read this line in my textbook:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><em>Lower Horizons of arid soil are occupied by calcareous deposits called kankar because of the increasing calcium content downwards.</em></p>
</blockquote>

<p>My question is that why only in arid soil? Increase of calcium content will led to formation of kankars in other types of soil also, then why it happens only in arid soil? </p>

<soil>
Calcareous deposits in arid soil?
Vandana
# Calcareous deposits in arid soil?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-09-11)

I read this line in my textbook:

> *Lower Horizons of arid soil are occupied by calcareous deposits called kankar because of the increasing calcium content downwards.*

My question is that why only in arid soil? Increase of calcium content will led to formation of kankars in other types of soil also, then why it happens only in arid soil?

**Tags:** soil


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-09-11. Score: 8 | Accepted answer

Karkar is made of calcium carbonate.

> then why it happens only in arid soil?

Because this is what happens to calcium carbonate in wet environments:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/QGxn8.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/QGxn8.jpg)

It dissolves away, forming a cave. Calcium carbonate, or calcite, is soluble in mildly acidic solutions. Rainwater is mildly acidic because of CO2 from the atmosphere dissolving in it, so it never allows for the formation of calcium carbonate deposits in the soil to begin with.

As for why it forms in arid soils, the Wikipedia page for [Caliche](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliche) explains it well:

> Caliche generally forms when minerals leach from the upper layer of the soil (the A horizon) and accumulate in the next layer (the B horizon), at depths around 3 to 10 feet under the surface. It generally consists of carbonates in semiarid regions—in arid regions, less-soluble minerals form caliche layers after all the carbonates have been leached from the soil. The deposited calcium carbonate accumulates—first forming grains, then small clumps, then a discernible layer, and finally, a thicker, solid bed. As the caliche layer forms, the layer gradually becomes deeper, and eventually moves into the parent material, which lies under the upper soil horizons.
>
> However, caliche also forms in other ways. It can form when water rises through capillary action. In an arid region, rainwater sinks into the ground very quickly. Later, as the surface dries out, the water below the surface rises, carrying up dissolved minerals from lower layers. This water movement forms a caliche that tends to grow thinner and branch out as it nears the surface. Plants can contribute to the formation of caliche, as well. Plant roots take up water through transpiration, and leave behind the dissolved calcium carbonate, which precipitates to form caliche. It can also form on outcrops of porous rocks or in rock fissures where water is trapped and evaporates. In general, caliche deposition is a slow process, but if enough moisture is present in an otherwise arid site, it can accumulate fast enough to block a drain pipe.

(photo from <http://www.naturephoto-cz.com/karst-cave-photo-24442.html>)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thanks for the clarification, but how come calcium carbonate or caliche can block a drain pipe, as mentioned in your answer? Its a soluble material & hence should get dissolved in water. Is it because it is not present in pure form or is there any other reason?  

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