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.

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. Not only does acid rain aggressively dissolve calcium in stone but it corrodes certain types of metal. How does acid precipitation affect marble and limestone buildings.

In exposed areas of buildings and statues we see roughened. In exposed areas of buildings and statues we see roughened surfaces removal of material and loss of carved details. Slowly is the key word of course. The acids in acid rains can react with caco by producing soluble salts.

Vulnerable metals include bronze copper nickel zinc and certain types of steel. Caco3 s h2so4 aq caso4 aq co2 g h2o l caso4 is pretty insoluble stuff but it will dissolve in the large amount of water during the process of the degradation of the caco3 caused by acid rain. When sulfurous sulfuric and nitric acids in polluted air react with the calcite in marble and limestone the calcite dissolves. When sulfurous sulfuric and nitric acids in polluted air and rain react with the calcite in marble and limestone the calcite dissolves.

Acid precipitation affects stone primarily in two ways. The marble has caco as the major component.