Simulation of the degradation of coupled stones by artificial acid rain

Abstract

The degradation of coupled building stones has been simulated in a laboratory chamber using an artificial acid rain solution (‘wet’ deposition) with wet/dry cycling. The reaction of individual and coupled stones with the artificial acid rain was assessed from the pH, and confirmed by measurement of calcium ion content in the run-off. For the coupled stones, it is evident that there is a build up of damaging reaction products in the region of the lower stone closely adjacent to the upper stone. This behaviour is related to the increased time of wetness due to retained solution, containing calcium ions from runoff and anion species from the artificial acid rain solution, which allows locally enhanced reaction with the lower stone and subsequent development of salts. Where Leinster granite is the lower stone of the couple, calcium ions in the run-off from the upper stone, Portland limestone, accumulate in these regions, leading to the eventual development of gypsum in the near-surface regions of the granite, with extensive resultant degradation. The laboratory chamber allows rapid ranking of various stone combinations in the couple, and early insight into the degradation process which may ultimately assist in the development of conservation procedures.