Why Does Acid Rain Dissolve Statues Made Of Marble

That s why acid rain dissolves statues made of marble.

Why does acid rain dissolve statues made of marble.

In exposed areas of buildings and statues we see roughened. No one expects the washington monument to melt into a toothpick but acid rain damage may slowly add up for our beloved icons. Stone surface material may be lost all over or only in spots that are more reactive. A study in the journal water air and soil pollution by the university of hong kong reported that artificial acid rain with a ph of 3 5 could corrode.

The marble has caco as the major component. How does acid precipitation affect marble and limestone buildings. Not only does acid rain aggressively dissolve calcium in stone but it corrodes certain types of metal. The reaction between caco and h so acid is caco s h so aq caso aq co g h o l caso is slightly soluble in water.

In exposed areas of buildings and statues we see roughened surfaces removal of material and loss of carved details. Vulnerable metals include bronze copper nickel zinc and certain types of steel. When sulfurous sulfuric and nitric acids in polluted air and rain react with the calcite in marble and limestone the calcite dissolves. Many monuments are made from limestone marble and bronze materials that can be altered or slowly dissolved by acid precipitation.

Slowly is the key word of course. When sulfurous sulfuric and nitric acids in polluted air react with the calcite in marble and limestone the calcite dissolves.