Why Does Acid Rain Dissolve Statues Made Of Marble

In exposed areas of buildings and statues we see roughened.

Why does acid rain dissolve statues made of marble.

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 and rain react with the calcite in marble and limestone the calcite dissolves. Acid precipitation affects stone primarily in two ways. 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. Stone surface material may be lost all over or only in spots that are more reactive. The marble has caco as the major component. Not only does acid rain aggressively dissolve calcium in stone but it corrodes certain types of metal.

The acids in acid rains can react with caco by producing soluble salts. 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.

Slowly is the key word of course. Many monuments are made from limestone marble and bronze materials that can be altered or slowly dissolved by acid precipitation.