When sulfurous sulfuric and nitric acids in polluted air react with the calcite in marble and limestone the calcite dissolves.
Calcium carbonate marble acid rain.
Calcium carbonate the main component of marble is not soluble in water.
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.
In exposed areas of buildings and statues we see roughened surfaces removal of material and loss of carved details.
Acid precipitation affects stone primarily in two ways.
Limestone is one familiar form of calcium carbonate.
Nevertheless the acids contained in the acid rain are capable to transform caco 3 by chemical reactions into soluble salts which are washed away giving rise to the formation of holes on the surface of the artifacts due to loss of material.
It is well established that either wet or dry deposition of sulfur dioxide significantly increases the rate of corrosion on limestone sandstone and marble.
Because surface waters are in equilibrium with atmospheric carbon dioxide there is a constant concentration of carbonic acid h 2 co 3 in the water.
Calcium sulphate water carbon dioxide gas.
How does this happen.
Caco 3 h 2 so 4 caso 4 h 2 o co 2 the formation of calcium sulphate results in the corrosion of this beautiful monument.
How does acid precipitation affect marble and limestone buildings.
Acid rain has the following reaction with the marble calcium carbonate.
A chemical reaction equation 9 between calcium carbonate and sulfuric acid the primary acid component of acid rain results in the dissolution of caco.
Acids in acid rain promote the dissolution of calcium carbonate by reacting with the carbonate anion.
Calcium carbonate chemically reacts with acids the main acid in acid rain is sulphuric acid formed from sulphur dioxide emissions to form a salt e g.
This produces a solution of bicarbonate.
Stone surface material may be lost all over or only in spots that are more reactive.