Chemical sedimentary rocks form by precipitation of minerals from water.

Precipitation is
when dissolved materials come out of water.

For example: Take a glass of water and pour some salt (halite) into it. The salt will dissolve into
the water. If you set the water in a hot and dry place (like Arizona) the water, but not the salt,
will evaporate away. As the water evaporates, the concentration of salt gets higher and the water
will eventually become saturated and will not be able to dissolve any more salt. At this point, as
the water continues to evaporate, the salt will come out of solution and will be precipitated in the
glass. This is an evaporate.

Types of Chemical Sedimentary Rocks:

1. Evaporites are rocks that are composed of minerals that precipitated from evaporating
seawater or saline lakes. Common evaporites are halite (rock salt), gypsum, borates,
potassium salts, and magnesium salts.
2. Chemical Limestones are also called as Travertine. Travertine formed when a river
carries or transports pieces of broken rock which then undergo sedimentation. They are
then subjected to high temperature and pressure hence forming travertine rock. Other
travertine structures include terraces, ledges and drapes that form at hot springs and along
stream banks.
3. Tufa is a highly porous, sedimentary rock (limestone) composed of calcium carbonate,
CaCO3. It is formed by biological and chemical precipitation of Calcite or aragonite from
cold, supersaturated surface or ground waters. Tufa structures are so bizarre they are
often featured in science-fiction movies. The Trona Pinnacles in the Mojave Desert
appeared in Planet of the Apes and Star Trek.