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.
Marble chemical formula acid.
Typically marble is composed of the following major constituents.
Marble is often crushed and used for acid neutralization in streams lakes and soils.
It happens on the surface of the marble or limestone and the fine details on the facade of the structures made with them are being lost.
However since the onset of acid rain these materials are at risk from erosion.
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals most commonly calcite or dolomite marble is typically not foliated although there are exceptions in geology the term marble refers to metamorphosed limestone but its use in stonemasonry more broadly encompasses unmetamorphosed limestone.
Marble is commonly used for sculpture and as a building material.
It is one of the most effective acid neutralization materials.
How does this happen.
The exact chemical composition of marble will greatly vary dependong on the location and the minerals or impurities present in the limestone during recrystallization.
In exposed areas of buildings and statues we see roughened surfaces removal of material and loss of carved details.
It is used for acid neutralization in the chemical industry as well.
Acid rain contains sulfuric acid which reacts with calcium carbonate to create aqueous ions.
Stone surface material may be lost all over or only in spots that are more reactive.
38 42 lime cao 20 25 silica sio2 2 4 alumina al2o3 1 5 2 5 various oxides nao and mgo and 30 32.