ABSTRACT
New aspects are presented about the role of atmospheric pollutants in the degradation of oolitic limestone. A UNESCO designated World Heritage Site, the City of Bath, largely comprises of important listed buildings constructed of limestone from local quarries. In view of soiling and obvious deterioration, samples of this stone were exposed, under controlled conditions, to gaseous sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. The extent of gaseous attack was followed by measuring mass changes and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), to determine the chemical state of the reaction products and to elucidate the reaction mechanism.
