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Performance evaluation of two protective treatments on salt-laden limestones and marble after natural and artificial weathering

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 21, pages 1884–1896 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Salt crystallization is a major damage factor in stone weathering, and the application of inappropriate protective products may amplify its effects. This research focuses on the evaluation of two protective products' performance (organic polydimethylsiloxane and inorganic ammonium oxalate (NH4)2(COO)2·H2O) in the case of a salt load from behind. Experimental laboratory simulations based on salt crystallization cycles and natural weathering in an urban area were carried out. The effects were monitored over time, applying different methods: weight loss evaluation, colorimetric and water absorption by capillarity measurements, stereomicroscope observations, FTIR and SEM-EDS analyses. The results showed minor impact exerted on the short term on stones, particularly those treated with the water repellent, by atmospheric agents compared to salt crystallization. Lithotypes with low salt load (Gioia marble) underwent minor changes than the heavily salt-laden limestones (Lecce and Ançã stones), which were dramatically damaged when treated with polysiloxane. The results suggest that the ammonium oxalate treatment should be preferred to polysiloxane in the presence of soluble salts, even after desalination procedures which might not completely remove them. In addition, the neo-formed calcium oxalate seemed to effectively protect the stone, improving its resistance against salt crystallization without occluding the pores and limiting the superficial erosion caused by atmospheric agents.

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Acknowledgments

This work was carried out within the research activity “Development and evaluation of new treatments for the conservation-restoration of outdoor stone and bronze monuments” of the Eu-ARTECH project, funded by the European Community's Sixth Framework Programme under the “Structuring the European Research Area” Research Infrastructures Action, web-site http://www.eu-artech.org (Contract RII3-CT-2004-506171).

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Affiliations

  1. Istituto per la Conservazione e la Valorizzazione dei Beni Culturali – CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, Sesto Fiorentino, I-50019, FI, Italy

    Barbara Salvadori

  2. Opificio delle Pietre Dure, viale Filippo Strozzi, 1, I-50129, Florence, Italy

    Daniela Pinna & Simone Porcinai

Authors
  1. Barbara Salvadori
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  2. Daniela Pinna
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  3. Simone Porcinai
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Correspondence to Barbara Salvadori.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Salvadori, B., Pinna, D. & Porcinai, S. Performance evaluation of two protective treatments on salt-laden limestones and marble after natural and artificial weathering. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21, 1884–1896 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-2032-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-2032-z

Keywords

  • Ammonium oxalate
  • Polydimethylsiloxane
  • Protection
  • Water-repellent product
  • Limestone
  • Marble
  • Salt growth
  • Natural weathering