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Naturally occurring acidic rainfall, and rainfall enhanced by certain man made pollutants, causes a chemical reaction with the calcium carbonate from which limestone is composed. The result is a gradual dissolution of the rock.

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Q: What effect does acid rain have on buildings made from limestone?
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What environmental problems in new york makes limestone a poor choice to use on the outside of a building?

Air pollution makes the rain more acid. The more acid the rain, the more easily the limestone dissolves. Major problem in e.g. Europe: many old buildings made out of limestone are starting to decay -> these buildings need to be restored if wanted to be preserved, which is quite expensive. Or, much better, deal with the problem at the source: significantly reduce are pollution.


Why would acid rain make corrosion worse?

Acid rain affects buildings and statues made of limestone and marble, primary in to different ways. This is alteration and dissolution. When sulfuric, and nitric acids in polluted air react with the calcite in marble and limestone, the calcite dissolves. In exposed areas of buildings and statues, there are roughened surfaces, removal of material, and loss of carved details. Stone surface material may be lost all over or only in spots that are more reactive. Sheltered areas on limestone and marble buildings show blackened crusts that have peeled off in some places, revealing crumbling stone beneath. This black crust is primarily composed of gypsum. The temperature of the surface of the calcium carbonate, which is a form of limestone and marble, affects how quickly acids react with it. The concentration of acid also affects how quick the reaction is.


How acid rain affects buildings and statues made of limestone and marble?

A lot of buildings and statues are made of "basic" (alkaline) materials such as limestone. When an acid comes into contact with these materials it causes an exothermic reaction the dissolves the material and so erodes it.Acid rain erodes statues and buildings. It would have to be a very strong acid in order to break down metals, though.Acid Rain is defined as Acid fallening from the clouds in a rain like form. Acid Rain's effect on statues is immense, after a couple thousands of years the statue will finally decay. Although the decaying of the statues usaully starts off about at 1 inch a year, and finishes with decimationg the statue in no time.


How can acid rain dissolve a limestone mountain?

Limestone, or calcium carbonate, is insoluble in pure water. However, in an acidic aqueous solution (such as acid rain), calcium carbonate is appreciably more soluble. Therefore, a small amount of the material will be dissolved as it is washed by acid rain. Gradually, this can wear down things made of limestone, such as monuments or mountains.


What can limestone be made into?

>Limestone is used in buildings and roads. >Limestone can be used in glass making. >Limestone is used in toothpaste. >Limestone is used in cement and mortar. >Limestone is used in bread and cereals as a source of calcium. >Limestone is used to make paper white. >Limestone is used to purify sugar. >Pulverized limestone is used to neutralize acidic soils. >Limestone can be used to make brake pads. >Limestone is used in the preparation of wools and dyes. >Limestone is used to make antacids. >Limestone is used in climbing walls. >Limestone is used a suppression of methane explosions in underground coalmines. >Limestone is added to plastics, paint, tiles and other materials as both white pigment and cheap filler. >Limestone is used in the manufacture of quicklime (calcium oxide) and slaked lime (calcium hydroxide). >Limestone can be used to create steel by using it in a blast furnace.

Related questions

What does acid rain do to buildings made from limestone?

it dissolves them


What are buildings and monuments that are made of limestone greatly damaged by?

Acid Precipitation


What does acid rain make house's from limestone do?

acid rain decomposes limestone (calcium carbonate), causing houses and buildings made out of them to become worn


How does acid rain affect how your life?

It affects the environment we all live in, it destroys limestone, which means it destroys the buildings that are made out of limestone.


How can you tell the difference between cause and effect?

Effect is the outcome of a circumstance and cause it what made it happen... For example the cause of acid rain is increased amounts of pollution in the atmostphere and one of the effects acid rain incurs is the wearing down of limestone buildings.


What man made structures is most susceptible to damage by acid precipitation?

Structures made of limestone and marble are susceptible to damage by acid precipitation. Structures made of iron and copper materials are also susceptible.


What famous buildings are made out of limestone?

i have no idea all i know is that the empire state building is made out of limestone in 1931 & the Houses of parliament in london.


What buildings are made of limestone?

because people like lime


What environmental problems in new york makes limestone a poor choice to use on the outside of a building?

Air pollution makes the rain more acid. The more acid the rain, the more easily the limestone dissolves. Major problem in e.g. Europe: many old buildings made out of limestone are starting to decay -> these buildings need to be restored if wanted to be preserved, which is quite expensive. Or, much better, deal with the problem at the source: significantly reduce are pollution.


What is acid rain's effect on buildings?

Acid rain (which occurs naturally and is enhanced by air pollutants) will erode any surface with which a chemical reaction will ensue upon contact. Most reactive will be those structures made wholly or partly of carbonate materials, like limestone. The chemical reaction will act to destroy the material through dissolution over time.


Why do you find shells sticking out of the stone in buildings?

Because the building is made of limestone, and the shells became integral to the limestone as it was being formed, but they don't erode as quickly as the limestone in the rain.


How does limestone affect monuments?

Limestone is primarily made of Calcium Carbonate which is a soluable in water and weak acid solutions. Anytime rainfall hits a monument made of limestone, it weathers it a bit faster than if it were made of marble.