Dry deposition of SO2 on carbonate stone:: An overview of laboratory studies

The deleterious effects of the dry deposition of sulphur dioxide (SO2) on carbonate stone monuments and buildings are of grave concern in the realm Of materials conservation. The resulting formation of gypsum crusts often leads to catastrophic loss of material. While much attention has been given to this problem, identifying and understanding the mechanisms underlying this deterioration process is extremely difficult due to the vast number of variables involved in an outdoor environment. Additionally, these mechanisms often act in tandem with natural weathering processes. This paper briefly discusses or cites the fundamental laboratory studies on this subject in order to present an overview of the trends of research in this area and to contribute towards indicating directions of future study.