Research Paper
Deposition of CaO (lime) on rocks near the temples submerged in the waters of Lonar crater, Maharashtra, India
At Lonar Crater on the northern side, near the water body, the base part of the temples submerged in the waters which were never exposed for the last 22 years due to constant rise of water level, are now exposed due to decrease of water level to a large extent, debris of rocks of unknown origin are found to be covered by a white layer. To investigate in detail whether the white layer on these rocks near the temples otherwise found to be submerged in the waters of Lonar crater and now exposed, are of SiO₂ (silica) origin or NaCl (common salt, sea salt) origin, or any other component, a search was conducted to find the source, its origin and the cause for these phenomena through this study. Representative samples of these rocks from debris near the temple towards north side of the crater was collected and stored in a polythene bag for further investigation. XRF analysis carried out of two rocks of both sides i.e., of sample No. 1, white layered part 16 elements with their oxides were detected of which CaO (Calcium Oxide i.e., quicklime) – 76.000% being the major content and others such as Fe₂O₃, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, MgO etc., in minor quantities. Similarly of sample No.2, the white layered part showed that 16 elements with their oxides were detected of which CaO – 85.900%, being the major content, and others such as SiO₂, MgO, Al₂O₃, SO₃, Fe₂O₃, P₂O₅ etc., in minor quantities. The original rocks i.e., the black part of both the samples showed that major component was SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CaO, MgO, and TiO₂, with other components in minor quantities. For the first time such a high percentage of CaO (Calcium Oxide i.e., quicklime) has been detected which is found to be deposited on the surface of debris of rocks near the temples on the northern side of the crater. White rusting/white coating of SiO₂ (Silica) has been observed and reported by Jadhav and Mali. This work being of preliminary investigation, a search was conducted to know the cause and how CaO (Calcium Oxide i.e., quicklime) found in such a high percentage deposited on the rocks or the rocks were found to be coated or encapsulated by a white layer of CaO and to record and document this phenomena with detail studies.
Published by: Raju D. Jadhav, Harishchandra B. Mali
Author: Raju D. Jadhav
Paper ID: V5I2-1433
Paper Status: published
Published: March 28, 2019
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