Marble Statue Acid Rain

In exposed areas of buildings and statues we see roughened surfaces removal of material and loss of carved details.

Marble statue acid rain.

Marble with its larger crystals and smaller pores can attain a high polish and is thus preferred for monuments and statues. Stone surface material may be lost all over or only in spots that are more reactive. Architects chose limestone marble steel and brass as durable materials intended to resist the elements. Marble like all calcareous rocks is particularly sensitive to degradation by acid chemicals and to weathering.

Although these are recognized as highly durable materials buildings and outdoor monuments made of marble and limestone are now being gradually eroded away by acid rain. Figure 4 18 acid rain damage to a statue of george washington. Although many different types of stone have been used for sculpture the most vulnerable to potential acid rain damage are marble and limestone steiger 2015 the former is essentially a recrystallized form of the latter. Acid precipitation affects stone primarily in two ways.

In exposed areas of buildings and statues we see roughened. Both marble and limestone consist of caco 3 which reacts with acid rain in an acid base reaction to produce caso 4. When sulfurous sulfuric and nitric acids in polluted air react with the calcite in marble and limestone the calcite dissolves. Acid rain has not gone away but it has gotten somewhat better.

Ever wondered if it s still around. Acid rain can ruin buildings and statues by stripping away the material and corroding metal that makes up these structures. Acid rains are one of the main degradation agents for marble artifacts. Acid rain contains carbonic nitric and sulfuric acid that are produced by oxidation and dissolution in water of gaseous oxides co 2 no 2 and so 2 present in the air as chemical pollutants.

Acid rain is a threat to both natural areas and to our national monuments and memorials. How does acid precipitation affect marble and limestone buildings. Because caso 4 is somewhat soluble in water significant damage to the structure can result. Many monuments are made from limestone marble and bronze materials that can be altered or slowly dissolved by acid precipitation.

To reduce damage to automotive paint caused by acid rain and acidic dry. Both are composed of calcite caco 3 other types of stone which are composed of silicate minerals such as granite or sandstone are intrinsically more resistant to acid attack.