Decaying of the marble and limestone monuments in the urban environment. Case studies from Saint Petersburg, Russia

Authors

Olga V. Frank-Kamenetskaya, Saint Petersburg State University, RussiaFollow
Dmitrii Yu Vlasov, Saint Petersburg State University, RussiaFollow
Marina S. Zelenskaya, Saint Petersburg State University, RussiaFollow
Irina V. Knauf, Saint Petersburg State University, RussiaFollow
Maryia A. Timasheva, Saint Petersburg State University, RussiaFollow

Abstract

The results of a long-lasting research of sulphation process, which causes an essential deterioration of marble and limestone monuments in Saint Petersburg are reported. Based on a variety of field and analytical methods we can show that the decay process forming a gypsum-rich patina depends mainly on the local environment, the moisture accumulation, and is connected with the fissuring and porosity of the rock and the relief of a monument. Three main stages of gypsum-rich patina formation in the presence of microorganisms were revealed.

Recommended Citation

Frank-Kamenetskaya, Olga V.; Vlasov, Dmitrii Yu; Zelenskaya, Marina S.; Knauf, Irina V.; and Timasheva, Maryia A. (2009) Decaying of the marble and limestone monuments in the urban environment. Case studies from Saint Petersburg, Russia, Studia UBB Geologia 54 (2): 17-22
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5038/1937-8602.54.2.4
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/geologia/vol54/iss2/art4