First Steps in Limestone Weathering and Erosion: An Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) approach

Authors

  • Joan J. Fornós Karst and Littoral Geomorphology Research Group, Universitat de les IllesBalears, Ctra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122 Palma, IllesBalears
  • Lluís Gómez-Pujol Karst and Littoral Geomorphology Research Group, Universitat de les IllesBalears, Ctra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122 Palma, IllesBalears Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Miquel Marquès 21, 07190 Esporles, IllesBalears
  • Joan Cifre Universitat de les IllesBalears, Ctra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122 Palma, IllesBalears
  • Ferran Hierro Universitat de les IllesBalears, Ctra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122 Palma, IllesBalears

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v40i2.12

Abstract

A combined atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) experiment examining the first steps in limestone weathering and erosion is presented. The experiment deals with the exposure of polished limestone rock tablets to a Western Mediterranean coastal environment and with the rate and patterns of weathering addressed by roughness quantification and qualitative assessment of nanoforms. Observations show how rock surface roughness increases at high rates after four and six months of exposure, passing from initial roughness RMS values between 14 and 32 mm to values between 396 to 492 mm. From the qualitative SEM approach, it can be concluded that the roughness increase relates with the widening of the space between rock grains and results in the isolation and detaching of rock grains.

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Published

2011-09-01

How to Cite

Fornós, J. J., Gómez-Pujol, L., Cifre, J., & Hierro, F. (2011). First Steps in Limestone Weathering and Erosion: An Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) approach. Acta Carsologica, 40(2). https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v40i2.12

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Section

Original papers