Marble Statues Affected By Acid Rain

Weathering deterioration caused by exposure to the environment is a natural part of the normal geologic cycle.

Marble statues affected by acid rain.

In exposed areas of buildings and statues we see roughened surfaces removal of material and loss of carved details. Questions still remain about acid rain and building stone in the washington area. How does acid precipitation affect marble and limestone buildings. Limestone statues and buildings made from calcium carbonate are highly affected by acid rain.

The reaction between the calcium carbonate present in the monoumnets and the acid of acid rain is given below. When sulfurous sulfuric and nitric acids in polluted air and rain react with the calcite in marble and limestone the calcite dissolves. Chemical pollutants gaseous oxides such as c o 2 n o 2 a n d s o 2 present in the atmosphere react with water to form carbonic acid nitric acid and sulphuric acid. The marble balustrade on the west side of the capitol building shows damage from acid rain dissolving the mineral calcite.

But to their surprise chemical reactions between the acid rain and building materials led to visible deterioration. Acid rain can ruin buildings and statues by stripping away the material and corroding metal that makes up these structures. 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.

When sulfurous sulfuric and nitric acids in polluted air react with the calcite in marble and limestone the calcite dissolves. This causes acid rain which corrodes marble statues and monuments. Acid precipitation affects stone primarily in two ways. Statues and structures made up of marble and limestone are slowly corroded as the rain water containing the acids fall on them both sulphuric acid and nitric acid dissolve marble to form salts.