ABSTRACT
Initial stone surface modification by decay processes and pollution-related alteration may be a crucial control on long-term stone decay and patterns of material loss. Exposure tests provide a convenient method of monitoring stone response to contemporary urban environmental conditions, which may dictate the nature of future changes incurred during long-term exposure of building stone. An investigation of short-term sandstone response to polluted environ mental conditions was conducted by exposing fresh sandstone specimens in a range of environments throughout the suburban and urban areas of Belfast, a highly polluted urban environment. As smoke and sulphur dioxide levels resemble those of other cities in past decades, this study also provides
Land Reconstruction and Management Vol. 3, 2004, pp 93-118 ISBN 1-57808-295-1 Science Publishers, Inc., Enfield, USA
information on typical initial decay patterns of stone buildings in other urban locations.
