Mike writes:
>>Think of it this way:
Picture stalagmites and stalactites formed in caves by the dripping water=
 and the limestone through and over which it passes. Think of cracked lim=
e mortar (calcium carbonate, if fully carbonated), and water and you get =
the picture as to why calcite forms in lime mortar cracks. =20<<

OK, I'm getting the picture of how lime mortar heals, the calcium in the
lime goes into solution with water and then is deposited (as crystals?)
within the crack. Under what cracked lime mortar conditions would there be
partial and full carbonation of the mortar?  Does this mean that if the
calcium carbonaate of the mortar is not fully carbonated there will be no
healing?

John Leeke

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