Dissolution and precipitation of calcite and aragonite

Dissolution and precipitation of calcite and aragonite involve processes that depend on the water's chemistry. Dissolution occurs when water becomes more acidic or picks up carbon dioxide, causing these calcium carbonate minerals to slowly dissolve into the water. Precipitation happens when the water becomes oversaturated with calcium and carbonate ions, often due to changes in temperature, pressure, or pH, leading these minerals to form solid crystals again. Both processes are natural parts of the carbon cycle, affecting the formation and breakdown of shells, coral reefs, and rocks in marine environments.