The silvery-white, soft light metal (Ca = calcium) is the third most common metal after iron and aluminium and the fifth most common element in the earth's crust. Due to its reactivity, it is only found chemically bound in over 700 minerals, mostly as carbonate, fluorite or sulphate. Calcium-containing minerals such as basalt, dionite, calcite, chalk, gypsum, granite, marble and marl are present in large quantities; the Alps consist mainly of limestone. As an essential component of living matter, it plays a major role in the formation of leaves, shells, bones and teeth. Due to its abundance, deficiencies are rare. Carbonates are mainly the remains of marine organisms (corals, mussels, snails) that have accumulated over millions of years.
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