Deterioration of the black Drenov Grič limestone on historical monuments (Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Authors

  • Sabina Kramar Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage of Slovenia, Conservation Centre, Restoration Centre, SI-1000 Ljubljana
  • Ana Mladenović Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, Dimičeva 12, SI-1000 Ljubljana
  • Helmut Pristacz University of Vienna, Institute of Mineralogy and Crystallography, Althanstrasse 14, 1090 Vienna
  • Breda Mirtič University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering, Department of Geology, SI-1000 Ljubljana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v40i3.60

Abstract

The black limestone from Drenov Grič quarry (Central Slovenia) is considered one of the most beautiful Slovenian natural stones due to its typical color. The limestone was characterized from mineralogical, chemical, and petrophysical points of view. Furthermore, deterioration phenomena of the limestone from two monuments exposed to indoor and outdoor environments were studied. In situ investigation of two monuments by means of monument mapping has identified several types of deterioration phenomena, such as granular disintegration, flaking, crumbling, efflorescences, crusts, and the presence of microorganisms. Samples were characterized using Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), X-Ray Powder Diffraction Analysis (XRD), porosity accessible to water under vacuum, capillary absorption, Mercury porosimetry (MIP), and Ar-sorption. Although very low values of porosity of the fresh stone as well as slow capillary kinetics were determined, both monuments showed severe deterioration as a consequence of the transport and precipitation of soluble salts within the stone.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2011-12-31

How to Cite

Kramar, S., Mladenović, A., Pristacz, H., & Mirtič, B. (2011). Deterioration of the black Drenov Grič limestone on historical monuments (Ljubljana, Slovenia). Acta Carsologica, 40(3). https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v40i3.60

Issue

Section

Original papers