various carbonate minerals

Carbonate minerals are naturally occurring compounds made primarily from calcium, magnesium, or iron combined with carbonate (CO₃²⁻). The most common is calcite, which forms the main component of limestone and marble. Dolomite contains both calcium and magnesium and is found in broader rock types. Other carbonate minerals include siderite (iron carbonate), which can create reddish-brown rocks, and rhodochrosite (manganese carbonate), known for its pink color. These minerals often form through biological processes or direct chemical precipitation in water, playing a crucial role in sedimentary rock formation and the carbon cycle.