Marble Tombstone Weathering

Marble for example is assumed to decay mainly through dissolution by acidic rainfall natural rainfall is slightly acidic being a weak carbonic acid with a ph of 5 6.

Marble tombstone weathering.

Weathering rates of marble in urban environments eastern australia. Gravestone weathering department of geography. If the marble headstone is in good condition proceed to the next step. Since marble is vulnerable to wear and tear marble headstones that have cracks and signs of aging should be left as is because cleaning can weaken the marble further and result in more serious damage.

Studying rock types weathering processes and human history in a cemetery. Meierding department of geography and center for climatic research university of delaware newark de 19716 fax 302 831 8273 e mail buc18279 um udel edu abstract. Aspect is the compass direction in which the headstones face. In many graveyards the head stones are aligned with the engraved side facing to the east.

Thaw weathering as temperatures fall faster in the open air than under trees. Physical weathering is the toll put on rocks by processes like frost ice splitting abrasion from things hitting it plant roots decompression at the surface remember most rocks are formed. Dragovitch 1986 an excellent source of data for tombstone weathering in two different cities. Marble tombstone weathering and air pollution in north america thomas c.

This removes matrix and grains from the surface of the gravestone leaving a rough sugary feel. Therefore in west yorkshire the back of the headstone faces the prevailing winds so should be more weathered.