title: Linking groundwater pollution to the decay of 15th-century sculptures in Burgos Cathedral (northern Spain).
abstract: Precipitation of salts-mainly hydrated Mg-Na sulfates-in building materials is rated as one of the most severe threats to the preservation of our architectural and cultural heritage. Nevertheless, the origin of this pathology is still unknown in many cases. Proper identification of the cause of damage is crucial for correct planning of future restoration actions. The goal of this study is to identify the source of the degradation compounds that are affecting the 15th-century limestone sculptures that decorate the retro-choir of Burgos Cathedral (northern Spain). To this end, detailed characterization of minerals by in situ (Raman spectroscopy) and laboratory techniques (XRD, Raman and FTIR) was followed by major elements (ICP and IC) and isotopic analysis (δ(34)S and δ(15)N) of both the mineral phases precipitated on the retro-choir and the dissolved salts in groundwater in the vicinity of the cathedral. The results reveal unequivocal connection between the damage observed and capillary rise of salts-bearing water from the subsoil. The multianalytical methodology used is widely applicable to identify the origin of common affections suffered by historical buildings and masterpieces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3EQ, UK. f.gazquez@ual.es.|Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Crystallography and Mineralogy, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén, 7, 47011, Valladolid, Spain. f.gazquez@ual.es.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gázquez
authors.affiliation: Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Crystallography and Mineralogy, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén, 7, 47011, Valladolid, Spain. rull@fmc.uva.es.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rull
authors.affiliation: Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Crystallography and Mineralogy, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén, 7, 47011, Valladolid, Spain. medina@fmc.uva.es.
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.affiliation: Department of Condensed Matter Physics, Crystallography and Mineralogy, University of Valladolid, Paseo de Belén, 7, 47011, Valladolid, Spain. jausanz@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Aurelio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanz-Arranz
authors.affiliation: Arquitectura y Conservación de Monumentos, SL, 40002, Segovia, Spain. restcarlossanz@telefonica.net.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sanz
mesh_terms: D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000032:analysis; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D060587:Groundwater / Q000032:analysis*; D049668:History, 15th Century; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis; D012613:Sculpture / Q000266:history; D013030:Spain; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D002119:Calcium Carbonate
keywords: ATR; Burgos Cathedral; Efflorescences; Groundwater pollutants; Raman spectroscopy; Stable isotopes; XRD