Why Does Acid Rain Causes Damage To Marble Statues

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

Why does acid rain causes damage to marble statues.

The degree of damage is determined not only by the acidity of the rainwater but also by the amount of water flow. Acid rain is a rain or any other form of precipitation that is unusually acidic meaning that it has elevated levels of hydrogen ions low ph it can have harmful effects on plants aquatic animals and infrastructure. How does acid precipitation affect marble and limestone buildings. When sulfurous sulfuric and nitric acids in polluted air and rain react with the calcite in marble and limestone the calcite dissolves.

This process occurs at the surface of the buildings or monuments. Many severe effects of air pollution on materials and structures come from acid rain. In exposed areas of buildings and statues we see roughened. Acid rain stains and etches granite and corrodes metals like bronze.

Acid rain damages structures such as the taj mahal and thomas jefferson memorial. Acid rain dissolves limestone marble cement and sandstone. Acid rain is caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide which react with the water molecules in the atmosphere to produce acids. Acid precipitation affects stone primarily in two ways.

Thus acid rain can easily destroy the details on relief work e g the faces on a statue but generally does not affect the structural integrity of the building. When sulfurous sulfuric and nitric acids in polluted air react with the calcite in marble and limestone the calcite dissolves. Stone surface material may be lost all over or only in spots that are more reactive.