Study on the Microstructure Evolution and Strength Damage Mechanism of Dolomite under Dissolution Condition
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
1．It is suggested to give the actual engineering scenarios corresponding to different PH values, so as to better support the scientific and practical significance of the experimental setting。
2．It is recommended to conduct composition analysis before and after sample failure in order to determine the main reaction, crack and strength loss causes in the sample site.
3．Mark the serial number in the article picture.
4．The intensity change curve needs to be optimized.
Author Response
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Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
The authors have conducted a detailed study of the strength and microstructural characteristics of dolomite under chemical corrosion, which has resulted in some interesting findings. However, there are still some issues that need to be addressed in the paper.
1. The author's description of microstructure is not sufficiently precise, using the term “mesostructured” several times and emphasising “microstructure” several times, which are different in scale and strictly refer to “microstructure”
2. Line 13, Corrosion and chemical corrosion are duplicated
3. Since the test involves chemical corrosion, it is of great interest to provide the composition of the material.
4. Line 129, from what follows, there appears to be only one undissolved sample, and the use of “samples” is inappropriate here, and the same applies to Figure 11(a). Therefore, it is recommended that a detailed description of the test samples be given here, both for the undissolved and dissolved
5. Line 174, the illustration of these four phases would be clearer if they were presented in figure form.
6. Figure 11(a), for the undissolved sample, why is there a sudden increase in stress at the beginning?
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
The study performed the damage experiment on the Precambrian dolostone. I have several general comments as follows.
1. It may need some more background introduction for your sample, including the geological background, petrographic description, and mineralogy. Depending on the picture, the lithology of dolostone is diverse.
2. In the thin section, there are amounts of quartz in this dolostone. Will the quartz influence the experiment results? Quartz is more solid than the carbonate mineral.
3. The plot of dissolution rate with time show a spike between 0 and 10 mins. Is it possible that this spike correlates to the occurrence of fracture which probably provides a favorable conduit for the transportation of dissolution fluid?
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The paper has certain practical significance. Agree to publish.
