What Effect Does Acid Rain Have On Marble Statues

Effects of acid rain on materials.

What effect does acid rain have on marble statues.

Older buildings with limestone or marble modelling on the outside can suffer from the same problem as statues. Acid deposition also affects human made structures. To see the effects of acid rain on buildings and monuments place two pieces of chalk in separate bowls. Stone surface material may be lost all over or only in spots that are more reactive.

Marble like all calcareous rocks is particularly sensitive to degradation by acid chemicals and to weathering. When sulfurous sulfuric and nitric acids in polluted air react with the calcite in marble and limestone the calcite dissolves. How does acid precipitation affect marble and limestone buildings. Students know how to calculate ph from hydrogen ion concentration.

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 acid rain effects on human made structures. Not all acidic deposition is wet sometimes dust particles can become acidic as well and this is called dry deposition when acid rain and dry acidic particles fall to earth the nitric and sulfuric acid that make the particles acidic can land on statues buildings and other manmade structures and damage their surfaces.

Students know buffers stabilize ph in acid base reactions. Students know how to use the ph scale to characterize acid and base solutions. Acid rain can ruin buildings and statues by stripping away the material and corroding metal that makes up these structures. When sulfurous sulfuric and nitric acids in polluted air and rain react with the calcite in marble and limestone the calcite dissolves.

Architects chose limestone marble steel and brass as durable materials intended to resist the elements. The most notable effects occur on marble and limestone which are common building materials found in many historic structures monuments and gravestones. What effect does acid rain have on marble. Acid rain effects on buildings acids have a corrosive effect on limestone or marble buildings or sculptures.

In exposed areas of buildings and statues we see roughened surfaces removal of material and loss of carved details. In addition metalwork within the structure such as copper pipes and wiring can oxidise if exposed to acid rain. It is well established that either wet or dry deposition of sulfur dioxide significantly increases the rate of corrosion on limestone sandstone and marble.