Geological Materials as Cultural Markers of Water Resources

Abstract

Water has always been a critical resource for humans and climate change could aggravate supply problems. In this context, groundwater could be an important reservoir of water, especially given the dispersion of places where it can be obtained and the widespread occurrence of surface marks (springs). Historically, places where groundwater is available have been marked by humans using built structures, with stone materials having a major role. These cultural objects tend to become a part of the collective memory and the historical record (when available) and frequently they stay on the original site along time (hence "marking a spot" for groundwater). However, the development of major water supply structures, especially in the 20th century, promoted an overlook of these ancient water sources. We present a general defense of the importance of recording and preserving cultural stone related to water sources, preferably in the original sites. Conservation of groundwater related structures could help in the future exploration of this geological resource and converge with historical information on the fountains' discharge, with geological studies of the terrains and geochemical features of the groundwaters involved, in order to characterize the hydrogeological systems and their potential future use (including the preservation of water quality and properties). These studies could promote a synergetic conservation of both heritage and water.

Comparative Study of Deterioration in Built Heritage in a Coastal Area: Barbanza Peninsula (Galicia, NW Spain)

“…Despite its high resistance to weathering and hardness, several weathering agents can accelerate its decay in buildings, as occurs with other rock types due to both natural and anthropic-related factors [2][3][4]. Indeed, the rock type, climate, and pollutants are referred to as the most important factors for assessing decay rates and types, due to the water pathways within buildings and stones [5][6][7][8][9]. up of small plateaus, with Iroite being the highest peak of the peninsula (687 m), separated by hills and crossed by several small river valleys, among which the Pedra and Coroño are highlighted.…”

Comparative Study of <span aria-describedby="tippy-20">Deterioration in Built Heritage in a Coastal Area: Barbanza Peninsula (Galicia, NW of Spain)

“…Anthropic-related factors accelerate the susceptibility to alteration that can have a negative impact (decay). The consequence of this impact is the deterioration of stone, being the state of conservation of the heritage deficient along time [2,3,4,5,6]. The level of deterioration or decay is influenced by both the type of stone and the environmental conditions to which the cultural object is exposed (climate and environmental pollution) since the relationship of both determines the kinetics of deterioration.…”