Impacts of air pollution on cultural heritage corrosion at European level: What has been achieved and what are the future scenarios. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Di Turo, Francesca; Proietti, Chiara; Screpanti, Augusto; Fornasier, M. Francesca; Cionni, Irene; Favero, Gabriele; De Marco, Alessandra
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 218(2016)
• Page Start: 586
• Page End: 594
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Limestone corrosion -- Bronze corrosion -- Copper corrosion -- Multi-pollutant risk-assessment -- Cultural heritage conservation; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.07.042
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: The interaction of pollutants with Cultural Heritage materials leads to artworks and materials degradation and loss, causing an unpriceless damage. This works aims to estimate the impacts of air pollution and meteorological conditions on limestone, copper and bronze and represents the European risk assessment for corrosion of Cultural Heritage materials. The measures and policies for atmospheric pollution reduction have cut off the SO2 concentration and consequently its impact on materials is drastically reduced. Indeed, in 1980 the number of UNESCO sites in danger was extremely high (94% for limestone, 54% for copper and 1% for bronze) while in 2010 these sites did not exceed the tolerable value of surface recession and corrosion. However, some problem related to air pollution persists. In particular, Random Forest Analysis (RFA), highlights PM10 as the main responsible for materials corrosion, in 2010. Two scenarios in 2030 have been tested, highlighting that the corrosion levels of limestone, copper and bronze exceed the tolerable limits only in the Balkan area and Turkey. Our results show the importance in the air quality modelling as a powerful tool for the UNESCO sites conservation. Graphical abstract: Highlights: European Corrosion levels decreased due to air quality improvement. Number of UNESCO sites at corrosion risk drastically decreased in 2010. The most important factor for metal corrosion are meteorological parameters. From scenarios analysis, Eastern Europe will be at corrosion risk in 2030. Abstract : Impact of atmospheric pollution on corrosion rates in Europe.