How do chemical sedimentary rocks typically form?

Chemical sedimentary rocks form primarily by precipitation or the growth of new minerals in water. This process often occurs when dissolved minerals in water reach saturation, causing them to precipitate out of solution and form solid minerals. Conditions such as evaporation of water in lakes or seas can lead to the concentration of minerals, resulting in deposits like rock salt or limestone. Over time, these precipitated minerals accumulate and harden into rock.

In contrast, the other processes mentioned involve different types of rock formation. The melting of igneous rocks refers to the formation of magma and subsequent igneous rock, while the accumulation of fragmented rocks pertains to clastic sedimentary rocks formed from the erosion and compaction of pre-existing rocks. Crystallization of minerals in solid form typically describes the process that occurs with igneous or metamorphic rocks, not chemical sedimentary rocks. Therefore, the precipitation of minerals in water is key to understanding how chemical sedimentary rocks develop.