Why Does Acid Rain Dissolve Statues Made Of Marble

Slowly is the key word of course.

Why does acid rain dissolve statues made of marble.

Stone surface material may be lost all over or only in spots that are more reactive. How does acid precipitation affect marble and limestone buildings. In exposed areas of buildings and statues we see roughened. 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 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. Vulnerable metals include bronze copper nickel zinc and certain types of steel. No one expects the washington monument to melt into a toothpick but acid rain damage may slowly add up for our beloved icons. When sulfurous sulfuric and nitric acids in polluted air and rain react with the calcite in marble and limestone the calcite dissolves.

Not only does acid rain aggressively dissolve calcium in stone but it corrodes certain types of metal. Acid precipitation affects stone primarily in two ways. The marble has caco as the major component. That s why acid rain dissolves statues made of marble.

In exposed areas of buildings and statues we see roughened surfaces removal of material and loss of carved details. When sulfurous sulfuric and nitric acids in polluted air react with the calcite in marble and limestone the calcite dissolves.