Technical data sheet
Oolitic Aragonite
Natural high-purity calcium carbonate of Bahamian marine origin, mechanically collected, washed, screened and dried.
- 96.17% CaCO3, ASTM C 25
- 38.51% elemental calcium
- 2.93specific gravity
- 20–325U.S. mesh across grades
1Product identification
Oolitic aragonite is a naturally precipitated calcium carbonate in the aragonite crystalline form. It occurs as spherical ooids of roughly 50–500 µm, each built from concentric layers of acicular crystals enclosing microscopic voids — a structure that gives the mineral a high surface area and a higher solubility than calcite at the same particle size.
The deposit is Bahamian and marine. Material is distributed from Stockton, California. Processing is entirely mechanical: collection, drying below 93 °C, screening and classification, with no quarry blasting, no calcination, no chemical treatment and no additives at any stage (PDS-OA-001).
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chemical name | Calcium carbonate, CaCO3 — natural aragonite polymorph |
| CAS number | 1317-65-3 |
| RTECS number | EV9580000 |
| Molecular weight | 100.09 |
| Appearance and odour | Odourless, white to off-white granular solid or powder |
| Transport classification | Not regulated — no DOT UN number or label |
| Organic status | OMRI Listed, product code avw-23214 — see CERT-OA-001 |
2Mineralogy
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic — aragonite polymorph |
| Crystal habit | Acicular crystals in concentric ooid layers |
| Thermal behaviour | Metastable; converts to calcite then to calcium oxide on heating |
| Comparison with calcite | Denser (2.93 against 2.7), harder (3.5–4 against 3), greater surface area and more soluble at equal particle size |
Solubility products: aragonite 6.0 × 10−9 against calcite 3.36 × 10−9 at 25 °C. Neutralisation testing and the surface-area basis are set out in TB-OA-001.
3Chemical composition
| Component | Value | Unit | Method | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calcium carbonate, CaCO3 | 96.17 | % by wt | ASTM C 25 | Representative analysis |
| Calcium, elemental | 38.51 | % by wt | ASTM C 25 | Representative analysis |
| Calcium oxide, CaO | 53.88 | % by wt | ASTM C 25 | Representative analysis |
| Magnesium carbonate, MgCO3 | 0.24 | % by wt | ASTM C 25 | Representative analysis |
| Magnesium oxide, MgO | 0.12 | % by wt | ASTM C 25 | Representative analysis |
| Strontium carbonate, SrCO3 | 1.43 | % by wt | ASTM C 25 | Representative analysis |
| Aluminium oxide, Al2O3 | 0.10 | % by wt | ASTM C 25 | Representative analysis |
| Silica, SiO2 | < 0.01 | % by wt | ASTM C 25 | Representative analysis |
| Iron oxide, Fe2O3 | 0.01 | % by wt | ASTM C 25 | Representative analysis |
| Sodium | 0.21 | % by wt | EPA 6010 | Representative analysis |
| Turbidity | 380 | NTU | API RP 56 | Representative analysis |
| Loss on ignition | 43.50–45.00 | % by wt | — | Published range |
| Sulfur trioxide, SO3 | 0.10–0.20 | % by wt | — | Published range |
| Sodium chloride, NaCl | 0.06–0.25 | % by wt | — | Published range |
| Moisture, as received | 5–10 | % | — | Published range |
Analysis by Bowser-Morner, Inc. (AASHTO/ISO 17025 accredited), report 124914A, sample received 12 January 2026. Sodium by Precision Enviro-Tech (California ELAP #2387). ASTM C 25 assumes elements are present as specific oxides and carbonates, so compound totals need not sum to 100%.
Representative analysis is a measurement from an identified sample and describes material as tested. Published range is a historical deposit range for dried, unwashed material. Neither is a guaranteed minimum or maximum; guaranteed limits are agreed per contract and confirmed per lot by certificate of analysis.
4Physical properties
| Property | Value | Unit | Method | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specific gravity | 2.93 | — | — | Representative analysis |
| Mohs hardness | 3.5–4 | Mohs | — | Published range |
| Surface area | > 1.7 | m2/g | Keck Lab | Representative analysis |
| Grain size, ooids | 50–500 | µm | Microscopy | Published range |
| Zeta potential | −6.65 to −33.85 | mV | — | Published range |
| Micro-porosity | Very high | — | — | Representative analysis |
| Sphericity, average | 0.82 | — | API RP 56 | Representative analysis |
| Roundness, average | 0.87 | — | API RP 56 | Representative analysis |
| Natural buffering point | 6.8 | pH | Keck Lab | Representative analysis |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water and alcohol; soluble in dilute acids | — | — | Representative analysis |
| Melting point | 825 | °C | — | Published reference |
| Flammability | Not combustible | — | NFPA | Published reference |
5Particle sizing
Screen size specification — natural commercial grade
| U.S. mesh | Nominal opening | Percent retained | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4.75 mm | 0–1 | Published range |
| 8 | 2.36 mm | 1–4 | Published range |
| 16 | 1.18 mm | 3–11 | Published range |
| 30 | 600 µm | 10–26 | Published range |
| 50 | 300 µm | 40–67 | Published range |
| 100 | 150 µm | 80–98 | Published range |
| 140 | 106 µm | 93–99 | Published range |
| 200 | 75 µm | 99–100 | Published range |
Classified grades are screened from this natural gradation. Nominal openings are standard U.S. sieve equivalents, given for reference.
6Grade selection
| Grade | Sizing | Sizing status | Primary application |
|---|---|---|---|
| AG-CAL | 0.2–0.5 mm | Published range | Agricultural calcium and pH programs; turf top-dressing; feed additive |
| GL-CAL | < 0.1 mm | Published range | Glass-batch calcium carbonate source |
| WT-CAL | 1–3 mm | Published range | Process-water remineralization, pond preparation, alkalinity management, carbonate aggregate |
| PL-CAL | To specification | Customer specification required | Polymers, coatings and functional fillers |
| Custom | 20–325 mesh range | Customer specification required | Application-specific classification — kiln feed, proppant feed, feed rations, greens plating sand |
7Storage and handling
Store dry and covered. Avoid dust generation. The material is non-combustible and stable, and reacts with acids. Calcium carbonate dust is a physical irritant of the eyes, nose, mucous membranes and skin; control exposure below the OSHA PEL of 15 mg/m3 total dust and 5 mg/m3 respirable fraction.
Shelf life is indefinite when stored dry. Occupational safety guidance is set out in SHS-OA-001. Consult the 16-section GHS Safety Data Sheet before handling.
8Packaging options
| Format | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dry bulk | Vessel or bulk trailer |
| Super sack | Up to 3,000 lb |
| Bagged | From 1 lb |
| Distribution | Stockton, California |
Packaging range per PDS-OA-001. Freight is quoted to the named destination on request.
9Information required for quotation
- Required particle sizing or target specification
- Estimated annual volume
- Delivery destination — city, ZIP or port
- Intended process or application
- Packaging format
- Any standard or specification to be met
10Quality documentation available
| Document | Title | Content |
|---|---|---|
| TDS-OA-002 | Analysis and Gradation | Published composition ranges and screen specification |
| CERT-OA-001 | OMRI Listed® Summary | Organic listing avw-23214, listed 26 Jun 2026, expiring 1 Sep 2027 |
| PDS-OA-001 | Manufacturing Process | Four-step mechanical process; no additives at any stage |
| SHS-OA-001 | Occupational Safety | Exposure limits, hazards, controls and first aid |
| SDS | Safety Data Sheet | 16-section GHS format — hazards, handling, exposure controls and first aid |
| TB-OA-001 | Agricultural Liming Material | Solubility and surface-area basis with laboratory data |
| REF-OA-001 | Published Research | Peer-reviewed literature on aragonite, 2021–2024 |
A certificate of analysis is issued for each dispatched lot. The documents above are available to customers and prospective customers on request.
Send the grade, sizing, annual volume and destination and a sales engineer will respond with pricing and a freight estimate.
Values marked Representative analysis are measurements from an identified sample and describe material as tested. Published range values are historical deposit ranges for dried, unwashed material, and Published reference values are properties of the mineral from a published authority. None constitutes a guaranteed minimum or maximum. A guaranteed specification is agreed in writing per contract and confirmed per lot by certificate of analysis. This information is offered for consideration, investigation and verification. It is not a warranty or representation of suitability for any particular application, nor permission to practise any patented invention.
Revision history
| Rev | Date | Change |
|---|---|---|
| A | Sep 2026 | First issue on approved values. |
AragoCor Minerals LLC · 2453 Grand Canal Blvd, Suite 200, Stockton, CA 95207