In a recent article - "Why the Taj Mahal is turning brown?", the effect of pollution affecting Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world, was addressed. Is pollution a big issue? Can it affect landmark buildings like Taj Mahal? What are the control strategies? Your views are welcome - Sundar
http://news.sciencemag.org/environment/2014/12/why-taj-mahal-turning-brown
Materials and pollutants interact in a complicated manner. Dry deposition, the direct deposition of gaseous pollutants onto a surface, varies with factors such as wind speed, building orientation and relative humidity. For sulphur dioxide, for example, the reaction of the gas with limestone is enhanced if relative humidity is above 80 per cent. Wet deposition, the delivery of gaseous pollutants to a surface via their incorporation into water, varies with factors such as the geometry of the surface. Where a surface is exposed to rainfall and runoff, then wet deposition can occur and chemical reactions such as dissolution can take place. The interaction between pollutants and materials highlights the importance of specific physical properties for the vulnerability of materials. A matrix of calcium carbonate or a calcium carbonate rock is highly susceptible to reactions with acid solutions. Porous materials, whatever their chemical composition, are likely to be vulnerable to degradation by acid solutions, as their large pore volume provides a large surface area for chemical reactions. Similarly porous or fractured material will also be susceptible to the actions of salt, as salts can penetrate into confined spaces where their expansion can exert great stress upon the material. Lastly, the presence and movement of moisture within a material, facilitated by high porosity, can enhance and alter the concentration of weathering agents and aid their damaging activity.
Glass can undergo chemical alteration in polluted environments, although this may not be visually obvious at first on modern glass. Sodium can be leached out of the surface layers of modern glass in atmospheres rich in sulphur and carbon dioxide. Medieval glass can be leached of its potassium and calcium content, weakening the structure and durability.
Metals can also be chemically altered within a polluted atmosphere. The degree of alteration depends to a great extent on the presence of moisture (and how long the metal remains wet), the concentration of pollutants present and the supply of oxygen to the reacting surface. If the supply of oxygen is cut off by the formation of a layer of weathering products, the reactions can slow down dramatically. Oxidised layers may actually form a protective barrier to the further alteration of the metal surface. If these layers become wetted, however, there may be a rapid electro-chemical reaction, enhancing alteration.
http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/atmospheric/atmospheric.htm
Yes. pollution affects the appearance of the building in short run and its strength in long run. The only way is Government intervention and it has to mandate the existing rules and regulations in safeguarding the monuments. We have rules, but, we preserve the rules and regulations wherein fail to preserve the THE GREAT TAJ MAHAL.
Materials and pollutants interact in a complicated manner. Dry deposition, the direct deposition of gaseous pollutants onto a surface, varies with factors such as wind speed, building orientation and relative humidity. For sulphur dioxide, for example, the reaction of the gas with limestone is enhanced if relative humidity is above 80 per cent. Wet deposition, the delivery of gaseous pollutants to a surface via their incorporation into water, varies with factors such as the geometry of the surface. Where a surface is exposed to rainfall and runoff, then wet deposition can occur and chemical reactions such as dissolution can take place. The interaction between pollutants and materials highlights the importance of specific physical properties for the vulnerability of materials. A matrix of calcium carbonate or a calcium carbonate rock is highly susceptible to reactions with acid solutions. Porous materials, whatever their chemical composition, are likely to be vulnerable to degradation by acid solutions, as their large pore volume provides a large surface area for chemical reactions. Similarly porous or fractured material will also be susceptible to the actions of salt, as salts can penetrate into confined spaces where their expansion can exert great stress upon the material. Lastly, the presence and movement of moisture within a material, facilitated by high porosity, can enhance and alter the concentration of weathering agents and aid their damaging activity.
Glass can undergo chemical alteration in polluted environments, although this may not be visually obvious at first on modern glass. Sodium can be leached out of the surface layers of modern glass in atmospheres rich in sulphur and carbon dioxide. Medieval glass can be leached of its potassium and calcium content, weakening the structure and durability.
Metals can also be chemically altered within a polluted atmosphere. The degree of alteration depends to a great extent on the presence of moisture (and how long the metal remains wet), the concentration of pollutants present and the supply of oxygen to the reacting surface. If the supply of oxygen is cut off by the formation of a layer of weathering products, the reactions can slow down dramatically. Oxidised layers may actually form a protective barrier to the further alteration of the metal surface. If these layers become wetted, however, there may be a rapid electro-chemical reaction, enhancing alteration.
http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/atmospheric/atmospheric.htm
In recent years the deterioration of cultural properties caused by acid rain and other forms of atmospheric pollution has become a serious problem. Various atmospheric pollutants cause the corrosion, fading, discolouring or deterioration of the materials from which these cultural properties are made. Atmospheric pollution penetrates into many places and has an adverse affect on many types of cultural properties. Now, more than ever, these cultural properties are in danger of destruction. The Landmark structure in India like Taj Mahal and othercultural monuments across the world, particularly buildings and statues made of marble, limestone, tuff and sandstone, are greatly affected by acid rain and atmospheric pollution. These substances dissolve the surface of the stone object, whereby decimating its beauty, grace and value and in many causes can even cause the destruction of the structure itself. Even cultural properties made of durable bronze that have been preserved for hundreds and even thousands of years have not escaped the effects of acid rain and atmospheric pollution.
Definitely, landmark buildings are suffering from pollution. UN should initiate a research project, to find a solution to this problem.
The problem of pollution in the city in general and of the landmark buildings in particular must be solved at the root. It does not serve palliatives. Clean up these buildings in a context in which the conditions of environmental pollution remain unchanged (fine dust, fumes of boilers for heating and industrial fumes etc.) is useless.
In fact all of us have experienced this discomfort during the last phase of the process of industrialization, where the techniques prevalent involved the creation of negative externalities on the landscape as well as on human health. Just think of the disease derived from acting reckless of the prevailing technology of that time: technology disrespectful of the environment or the use of intermediate products harmful to health including asbestos.
In the countries of the post-industrial time were instead adopted changes to processes and products that lead to reducing the environmental impact and its impact on the health. All cities have been cleared by adopting technologie remediation of chemical, physical (hydro-cleaning etc) or advanced (laser etc.) with significant costs to the budgets of cities.
It was noted, however, that the countries that are now in a phase of strong industrialization such as China have not learned the lesson of the past, but continued to apply the old technology (and highly polluting energy sources such as coal) sometimes dismantling whole steel mills in countries now in the phase of the services (more than 50% of employment consists of white collar) to reassemble them in China.
Yes, dear Sundara. Pollution in environment affects building materials and historical structures. The Industrial Revolution soiling and degradation of buildings has been noticeable, mainly due to the effects of air pollution.
Acid deposition affects structures, products, and monuments both outdoors and indoors. Bridges, industrial plants, and motor vehicles are affected, some of them by the combined effect of air pollutants and de-icing salts. An important category of products includes electric and electronic equipment.The detrimental effect of acid deposition, often of a synergistic nature, can be substantial.
http://dge.stanford.edu/SCOPE/SCOPE_36/SCOPE_36_2.5_Chapter6_167-194.pdf
Air pollutants from both industry and transport cause a great deal of damage to historical buildings and monuments that have an important place in nation's cultural heritage.
The materials most sensitive to pollutants are calcareous building stones and ferrous metals. Manifestations of damage include losses of mass, changes in porosity and discoloration.
My experience fro drylands of Africa shows that pollutants trapped in the air are washed down by seasonal rains and this marks black hues which as time goes causes weathering of walls of many landmark buildings.
Yes my dear, I live in Agra the city of Taj and observing the effect of pollution on this momnument. Many things have been tried various wash with chemicals and cleaning with clay. All in vain. The rifi org in Mathura city continuously adding loafs of pollutant in air which is worse ing the pollution effect on Tajmahal. World wide compaigin on maintaining the monument and keeping it safe is utmost essential. Thanks for such an important question. Regards.
It is really upset dear Professor @Sarwan to see such a wonder like Taj affected by the pollution. Is not the community trying to do something to prevent this pollution.
Yes it does. Look at building in cities versus those in rural with clean environment. you can tell the difference.
Certainly yes, due to sulfuric acid that is being created in atmosphere due to pollution from sulfur dioxide.
Pollution negatively impacts historical monuments and buildings around the world, from the Acropolis in Greece to the America's own Lincoln Memorial to the amazing Taj Mahal in India. The threat is in the risk of losing these irreplaceable structures forever. Many of these monuments have cultural and aesthetic value that is beyond price.
https://sciencing.com/about-6372037-pollution-s-impact-historical-monuments.html
@ Dr. Sundarapandian Vaidyanathan
Yes, air pollution is a big threat to historical buildings/monuments across the world. In the presence of moisture, air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) form sulphuric acid and nitric acid, respectively. These two highly oxidizing acids penetrate and dissolve the calcium present in historical buildings/monuments made of calcareous stones such as marble and limestone. The sulphuric and nitric acids deteriorates the surface of buildings/monuments and cause cracks in the material. Soot or ash also affects the look of buildings/monuments by deposition on their surfaces. Please take a look at the following RG links and PDF attachments.
Article Influence of Air Pollution and Humidity on Limestone Materia...
Article Air pollution loads on historical monuments: an air quality ...
Chapter Deterioration on Historic Buildings Due to Air Pollution and...
Chapter Influence of Air Pollution on Degradation of Historic Buildi...
Chapter Deterioration Processes of Historical Monuments
Conference Paper NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON HISTORIC-CULTURAL STRUCTURES
Thanks!
Yes, material properties change over time due to alter of temperature, pollution; especially acid rain, and the attachment/deposition of some particulate matter and gaseous pollutants too.
Yes, air pollution effects on buildings and statues especially the metallic or stone statues.
Nowadays due to the rapid development of urbanization, the development of new scientific and technological areas, buildings, structures and monuments of the architectural and cultural significance are experiencing a negative impact, in particular, from dust deposition which is caused by polluted air. Studying together the physical and visual aspects of contamination of building constructions allows to evaluate not only the degree of deterioration of the object, but also the emotional component of human perception, because the main purposes of the visual ecology, in our opinion, are the safety of architectural and cultural monuments, which will surely adorn the appearance of modern cities, emphasizing the close relationship with the history as well as adaptation of the environment to a comfortable human perception.
Kuzmicheva and. Loboyko ,2016
In urban environments, decay of historic buildings is strongly influenced by the presence of atmospheric pollutants like SO2, NOX, atmospheric particles and acid rain. In the atmosphere water drops incorporates carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce the weak carbonic acid, resulting into dissolution of carbonates inside walls of monument constructed with stones. Soluble calcium bicarbonate is transported by water to the surface of stone and mortars across porous system of built and decorative elements.
Environmental factors play a pivotal role in every aspect of our everyday lives including landmark buildings such as the wonderful Tajmahal. Toxic fumes from cars and factories are gnawing at the foundations of memorable buildings and there seems to be no plan to stop the deterioration simply because industrial gains are preferred over preservation of traditional gems making the universal history of human beings.
Please see the following articles:
Article Deterioration of European apartment buildings
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2151/ead4eb5806f3b6500bfc214f3e1c4a87c6a6.pdf
Hope these articles are of some use.
air pollution in form of SO2 which destroys the Taj has been alerting many in the world as it affects landmark buildings. Less importance has been given to people who suffer from the very same pollution.
Top 5 Endangered Heritage Sites - Acid Rain
Through the centuries, natural and man-made factors have damaged the niches, sculptures and paintings. Crevices across the rock base are causing instability and have resulted in the collapse of some niches and the destruction of their contents. This process has been greatly accelerated by increased saline sediments resulting from acid rain, a major problem across much of China. Salt deposits have also built up in the niches themselves from slow permeation of acid rain into the rock, which then seeps into the niches through fissures in the rock, severely damaging and rapidly eroding many sculptures and paintings.
https://www.cyark.org/news/top-5-endangered-heritage-sites-acid-rain
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