Stone-built heritage as a proxy archive for long-term historical air quality: A study of weathering crusts on three generations of stone sculptures on Broad Street, Oxford

Wilhelm, Katrin; Longman, Jack; Orr, Scott Allan; Viles, Heather

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143916

Cited by 19 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 76 publications

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“…Nevertheless, because of their popularity, vandalism is common on the surfaces of these materials. For the most part, this means that the objects lose their aesthetic value, and after extended exposure to physical factors, their surfaces can experience a shift in their own qualities [ 1 , 2 ]. Traditionally, chemicals, physical methods, and more recently, biological approaches have been used to strip off undesired graffiti coatings [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Surface Properties of Graffiti Coatings on Sensitive Surfaces Concerning Their Removal with Formulations Based on the Amino-Acid-Type Surfactants

et al. 2023

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Water-in-oil (w/o) nanoemulsions stabilized with amino acid surfactants (AAS) are one example of nanotechnology detergents of the “brush on, wipe off”-type for removing graffiti coatings from different sensitive surfaces. The high-pressure homogenization (HPH) process was used to obtain the nanostructured fluids (NSFs), including the non-toxic and eco-friendly components such as AAS, esterified vegetable oils, and ethyl lactate. The most effective NSF detergent was determined by response surface methodology (RSM) optimization. Afterwards, several surface properties, i.e., topography, wettability, surface free energy, and the work of water adhesion to surfaces before and after their coverage with the black graffiti paint, as well as after the removal of the paint layers by the eco-remover, were determined. It was found that the removal of graffiti with the use of the NSF detergent is more dependent on the energetic properties and microporous structure of the paint coatings than on the properties of the substrates on which the layers were deposited. The use of NSFs and knowledge of the surface properties could enable the development of versatile detergents that would remove unwanted contamination from various surfaces easily and in a controlled way.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Surface Properties of Graffiti Coatings on Sensitive Surfaces Concerning Their Removal with Formulations Based on the Amino-Acid-Type Surfactants

et al. 2023

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“…In the Middle Ages, lead was smelted in the Pennines and Mendips, with the latter being closer to Oxford at approximately 100 km in linear distance . While Zoltai et al (1988) found above-background concentrations of Pb up to 100 km away from smelting sources, other researchers reported distances of 40–65 km from the source. ,, Meanwhile, coal usage as a fuel source began to expand more widely in England during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. − Furthermore, in our previous publication, from which this study’s subset of samples is derived, our principal component analysis identified a simultaneous loading of Arsenic (As), Selenium (Se), and Titanium (Ti). These trace metals have been associated with coal burning in various studies. ,− …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 60%

“…Black crusts on historic urban built structures hold great potential as valuable geochemical archives for advancing the understanding of urban air pollution processes. Recent research has investigated their use as nonselective passive samplers for atmospheric pollution. − ,,,, However, despite the emergent recognition of their potential, there is currently no well-defined protocol or standardized method established for fully utilizing black crusts as reliable outdoor archives for urban air pollution . Furthermore, the field of study lacks cohesion due to a lack of integration of previous research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Historic Built Environment As a Long-Term Geochemical Archive: Telling the Time on the Urban “Pollution Clock”

Wilhelm

Longman

Standish

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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This study introduces a novel methodology for utilizing historic built environments as reliable long-term geochemical archives, addressing a gap in the reconstruction of past anthropogenic pollution levels in urban settings. For the first time, we employ high-resolution laser ablation mass spectrometry for lead isotope ( 206 Pb/ 207 Pb and 208 Pb/ 206 Pb) analysis on 350-yearold black crust stratigraphies found on historic built structures, providing insights into past air pollution signatures. Our findings reveal a gradual shift in the crust stratigraphy toward lower 206 Pb/ 207 Pb and higher 208 Pb/ 206 Pb isotope ratios from the older to the younger layers, indicating changes in lead sources over time. Mass balance analysis of the isotope data shows black crust layers formed since 1669 primarily contain over 90% Pb from coal burning, while other lead sources from a set of modern pollution including but not limited to leaded gasoline (introduced after 1920) become dominant (up to 60%) from 1875 onward. In contrast to global archives such as ice cores that provide integrated signals of long-distance pollution, our study contributes to a deeper understanding of localized pollution levels, specifically in urban settings. Our approach complements multiple sources of evidence, enhancing our understanding of air pollution dynamics and trends, and the impact of human activities on urban environments.

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“…The speed of some reactions involved in the degradation of monuments might be increased by the presence of numerous compounds with the action of catalysts, such as heavy metals and carbonaceous particles related to pollution, especially atmospheric pollution [14][15][16]. The latter were probably the cause of the acceleration of the process of formation and detachment of black crusts on the surface of the stones of the site analyzed [17,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geochemical-Microscopical Characterization of the Deterioration of Stone Surfaces in the Cloister of Santa Maria in Vado (Ferrara, Italy)

et al. 2021

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Santa Maria in Vado is a monument in the rich artistic heritage of the city of Ferrara (north of Italy). In this paper we want to investigate the state of conservation of tombstones, cloister and the entrance to the basilica, in order to keep them in the best possible state for the future generations. From the chemical characterization, the state of conservation was determined focusing on the biodeteriogenic and non-biodeteriogenic factors, which determine a series of unwanted changes in the physical, mechanical and above all aesthetic properties of the material, often closely connected with the environment and conservation conditions. On the macroscopic observation, the state of conservation of the tombstones appeared to be very deteriorated through aesthetic and structural damage. In detail, the stereo microscope observation of samples collected from the tombstones show the presence of efflorescence probably caused by the abundant of water that bring the salts present inside the rock into solution. Relating the columns, μ-XRF analysis confirm the carbonate composition of samples and presence of iron and sulfur. Finally, SEM observation highlighted the presence of black crust on arch samples and the presence of pollen on the black crust and spheroidal particles probably related to atmospheric pollution.

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Stone-built heritage as a proxy archive for long-term historical air quality: A study of weathering crusts on three generations of stone sculptures on Broad Street, Oxford

Cited by 19 publications

References 76 publications

Surface Properties of Graffiti Coatings on Sensitive Surfaces Concerning Their Removal with Formulations Based on the Amino-Acid-Type Surfactants

Surface Properties of Graffiti Coatings on Sensitive Surfaces Concerning Their Removal with Formulations Based on the Amino-Acid-Type Surfactants

The Historic Built Environment As a Long-Term Geochemical Archive: Telling the Time on the Urban “Pollution Clock”

Geochemical-Microscopical Characterization of the Deterioration of Stone Surfaces in the Cloister of Santa Maria in Vado (Ferrara, Italy)

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