Effect of acid rain on building material of the El Tajín archaeological zone in Veracruz, Mexico.
Three limestone slabs (approx. 20 cm2 each) were extracted from the El Tajin archaeological zone in Veracruz, Mexico. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed three components: calcite (81.2%), quartz (17.9%) and feldspar (0.9%). Calcite content by x-ray diffraction analysis was slightly higher than that determined by chemical reaction between the limestone sample and nitric acid. The latter analysis, carried out in triplicate, yielded a calcite content of 77.1%. Mean water absorption, density and porosity of the limestone samples were also determined. Dissolution of limestone samples was investigated using an experimental rainfall simulation chamber, in which the stone samples were irrigated with artificial rain matching the pH and the ionic composition with 40 rainfall samples collected at El Tajin from August 18, 2002, to April 9, 2003. According to calcium and bicarbonate net concentrations found in the effluent of the chamber, a chemical mechanism by which limestone at El Tajin is dissolved by acid rain is proposed. A model used to investigate the air transport pathways corresponding to precipitation events at El Tajin shows that air parcels come mainly from the Gulf of Mexico, although no directional preference is evident for acidic vs. non-acidic events.
Bravo A
H
H
Environmental Pollution Section, Center for Atmospheric Sciences, National University of Mexico, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico, D.F., 04510, Mexico. hbravo@servidor.unam.mx
Soto A
R
R
Sosa E
R
R
Sánchez A
P
P
Alarcón J
A L
AL
Kahl
J
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Ruíz B
J
J
D015258:Acid Rain / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000392:Air Movements; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D001106:Archaeology; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000032:analysis; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008800:Mexico; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D011791:Quartz; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects*
D015258:Acid Rain; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D001639:Bicarbonates; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C016447:feldspar; D011791:Quartz; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D002118:Calcium