Morphological and mineralogical characterization of surficial weathering on calcarenite rocks in the rupestrian system of “San Michele delle Grotte” at Gravina in Puglia (Bari, Apulia)

D’Angeli, Ilenia Maria; Lacalamita, Maria; Sasso, C.; Schingaro, Emanuela; Parise, Mario

doi:10.1016/j.catena.2022.106382

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…This is supported by the RUNSALT model indicating that the K 2 SO 4 -dominated sites are rather inactive in terms of salt weathering. E orences of syngenite and gypsum were also found by D'Angeli et al [53] at a cave site in calcarenite bedrock, with some effect on rock microporosity.…”

Section: Distribution and Phase Changes Of Saltssupporting

confidence: 72%

The role of moisture and salt distribution in the weathering of the medieval cave town of Uplistsikhe, Georgia

Sass,

Heil

2024

Preprint

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Knowledge of salt and moisture distribution is a key factor for understanding rock decay at cultural heritage sites. The cave town of Uplistsikhe in Georgia, carved from sandstone in late bronze age to medieval times, suffers from progressive scaling and flaking processes. Multi-method investigations of rock moisture and salt distribution were carried out in order to better understand the patterns of decay. Salt distribution was investigated using drill dust samples and paper pulp poultices; moisture was determined by 2D-resistivity and handheld microwave sensors, supplemented by infrared thermography. The combined results from the different methods revealed a complex pattern of salt and moisture distribution. An most sites, K2SO4 (arcanite) and its hydrates dominate, sometimes in combination with CaSO4 (gypsum). At one site (Grandhall), halite (NaCl) and niter (KNO3) prevail. Sulphates are assumed to be a legacy of air pollution; origin of halite and niter remains unsolved but might be due to concrete reinforcements. Two main sources of moisture were evidenced depending on season and spatial situation: (1) Condensation of air humidity at cool cave backwalls in spring (combined with and aided by salt efflorescence), evidenced by 2D-resistivity and infrared thermography; (2) seepage along joints particularly at the cave backwalls and roofs, evidenced by handheld microwave sensors. Further investigations should focus on identifying seepage pathways and on clarifying the origin of destructive halite and nitrates.

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Section: Distribution and Phase Changes Of Saltssupporting

confidence: 72%

The role of moisture and salt distribution in the weathering of the medieval cave town of Uplistsikhe, Georgia

Sass,

Heil

2024

Preprint

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“…This is not observed in dripwater, which is mostly the result of the local interaction of infiltrating water with the pure Jurassic limestone in which the cave opens (Cafaro et al, 2010; Fairchild et al, 2000). However, high K + concentrations might be also related to a surface contamination from agricultural activities due to the use of K‐based chemical fertilizers (D'Angeli et al, 2022; Tositti et al, 2018). Furthermore, river water presents on average lower concentrations of SO 4 2− , Na + and Cl − with respect to dripping water, revealing that the latter is more heavily subjected to atmospheric influence, as described by Factor 5.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dripping and underground river waters shed light on the ecohydrology of a show cave

et al. 2022

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Water and air flows connect underground ecosystems to the surface, affecting the cave chemical and physical properties. Together with the visitor's fluxes in show caves and occasional presence of cavers in wild caves-excluding the large amounts of organic supply by bat or bird colonies or large sinking rivers bringing vegetal debris-fluid flows are the main means of transport of nutrients into the normally oligotrophic cave environment. The aim of this work was to investigate the chemical characteristics of waters in the Pertosa-Auletta Cave (Italy), focusing on drip water and on the underground Negro river, seasonally and in different areas of the cave. In particular, three trails with different environmental characteristics and tourism pressure were investigated in order to shed light on the processes affecting the ecological equilibrium of the hypogean ecosystem. Dripping and flowing river waters, both rich in Ca because of their interaction with carbonate rocks, show distinct chemical signatures regarding the other chemical elements (especially K and Mg) due to lithological and hydro-dynamical differences. Moreover, water chemistry is affected by the seasonality in the pluviometric regime owing to the subsequent variability in the dilution effect. Bat colonies, dwelling mainly along the fossil trail, enrich dripping waters with P and N. Their concentrations have also been found at fairly high values across the whole trail network, suggesting an additional potential role of leaching from agricultural and forested soils above the Pertosa-Auletta Cave in defining dripwater chemistry.

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“…Gravina Calcarenite presents a typical "grainstone" texture, with a high porosity and medium-sized particles, exhibiting a massive structure [13][14][15]. In general, the characteristics of Gravina Calcarenite have a negative influence on its durability [16][17][18]. Its high porosity facilitates the absorption of water, which can transport salts that later crystallize, thereby causing serious damage [18][19][20][21][22][23][24] and allowing the entry of harmful substances.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Eco-Friendly Consolidating Treatments in Pugliese Tuff (Gravina Calcarenite) Used in Italian Heritage Buildings

Huesca-Tortosa,

Spairani-Berrio,

Coviello

et al. 2024

Buildings

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This work evaluates the effectiveness of various consolidating treatments applied to Pugliese tuff (Gravina Calcarenite). This type of stone has been used in numerous historic buildings in the Puglia area (southeast of Italy), which presents durability problems due to high porosity, low cohesion between clasts, and low mechanical resistance. Eco-friendly treatments that generate CaCO3 have been selected, specifically bioconsolidant KBYO biological and lime water, which a priori are capable of consolidating without occluding the pores or reducing them excessively, thereby creating compounds similar to those contained in the stone and being respectful of the environment. Nano-sized treatments have also been tested, including nanosilica and nanolime, to compare results with eco-friendly treatments. The bioconsolidating treatment has been applied in two different ways, the usual way consisting of two applications a day for 7 days, as well as a double treatment that is applied in two batches of 7 days with a rest of 7 days between applications. Double treatment has shown a great improvement in consolidation compared to the usual 7-day application; this treatment has obtained the best results in both mechanical and petrophysical properties. This study not only demonstrates the effectiveness of the bioconsolidant but also expands eco-friendly conservation strategies to improve the preservation of historical structures built in calcarenite.

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Morphological and mineralogical characterization of surficial weathering on calcarenite rocks in the rupestrian system of “San Michele delle Grotte” at Gravina in Puglia (Bari, Apulia)

Cited by 4 publications

References 32 publications

The role of moisture and salt distribution in the weathering of the medieval cave town of Uplistsikhe, Georgia

The role of moisture and salt distribution in the weathering of the medieval cave town of Uplistsikhe, Georgia

Dripping and underground river waters shed light on the ecohydrology of a show cave

Evaluation of Eco-Friendly Consolidating Treatments in Pugliese Tuff (Gravina Calcarenite) Used in Italian Heritage Buildings

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