WET WALLS: APPLYING KARST SCIENCE TO BUILDING STONE CONSERVATION

Buildings and statues constructed from limestone, marble and other calcareous materials are prone to accelerated weathering in polluted air, and are also affected by 'normal' dissolution, which can erase valuable architectural detail. Karst science has a lot to contribute to the conservation of calcareous stone buildings and artifacts, through improved understanding of weathering processes, rates and water flow characteristics. Three examples are presented: (a) work on weathering rates at St Paul's Cathedral, London using the micro-erosion meter; (b) on understanding and reducing dissolution rates of calcite using exposure trials, flow cell and atomic force microscopy; and (c) on evaluating the protective role of soil and vegetation covers on ancient ruins. Further understanding of the flow of water over and through calcareous building stones is a vital future contribution of karst scientists to this field.