What is causing corrosion of Taj Mahal?

What is causing corrosion of Taj Mahal?

Marble slabs in the Taj are joined together with iron lugs and dowels. Over time, moisture and highly corrosive gases, such as sulphur dioxide, make these connectors rust. The rusting process causes the lugs and dowels to expand and the consequent stress shatters the marble, a phenomenon known as spalling.

Which chemical is responsible for yellowing of Taj Mahal?

These pollutants – sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and mainly carbon-based particulates – have steadily weathered and eroded the Taj’s brilliant white facade, giving it a yellow sheen.

Which gas is responsible for corrosion of Taj Mahal?

CO2, methane and CO are the gases responsible for this effect. Question 6: Describe the threat to the beauty of the Taj Mahal. ANSWER: Taj Mahal has become a matter of concern due to pollutants in air that are discolouring its white marble. Acid rains due to increasing air pollution has started corroding the marble.

What are the effects of pollution on Taj Mahal?

It is the acid rain that is most dangerous for the monument. Indeed, the inadvertent emission of sulfuric oxide, due to road traffic, causes acid rain. This rain colors the Taj Mahal yellow, tarnishing it, and, worse, it erodes it, attacking what is most fragile at first: the sculptures and incrustations of stone.

What are the environmental threats to the Taj Mahal?

The monument is now threatened by encroachment, deforestation, solid waste dumps, garbage, falling water levels of Yamuna, Acid rain and pollution. The Taj, which was once milky white is now turning yellowish and its exquisite stone carvings have developed green and brown patches.

What reaction takes place in yellowing of Taj Mahal explain?

The gas causing the yellowing of Taj Mahal is Sulphur dioxide. When Sulphur in the chimneys of factories reacts with atmospheric oxygen, it forms Sulphur dioxide and escapes into the atmosphere. It reacts with the water molecules present in the atmosphere forming sulphurous acid and sulphuric acid.

Which air pollutant is responsible for corrosion?

The most notorious pollutant responsible for metallic corrosion is sulphur dioxide, it has been reported that corrosion of hard metals such as steel begins at annual mean concentrations of 0.02 ppm.

Why does Taj Mahal turn yellow?

Which type of pollution has resulted in discoloration of Taj Mahal?

Results indicate that deposited light absorbing dust and carbonaceous particles (both BC and BrC from the combustion of fossil fuels and biomass) are responsible for the surface discoloration of the Taj Mahal.

What is the process involved in changing Colour of Taj Mahal?

Taj Mahal is losing its white luster and getting discolored. Scientists blame pollution from local factories and oil refinery at Mathura for this. These factories produce pollutants like sulfur dioxide and…

What is the effect of corrosion?

Some of the effects of corrosion include a significant deterioration of natural and historic monuments. Air pollution causes corrosion, and it’s becoming worse worldwide. Corrosion also degrades important infrastructure such as steel-reinforced- highways, electrical towers, parking structures and bridges.

What causes corrosion?

Causes of Corrosion Metal corrodes when it reacts with another substance such as oxygen, hydrogen, an electrical current or even dirt and bacteria. Corrosion can also happen when metals like steel are placed under too much stress causing the material to crack.

What is the chemical reaction on the Taj Mahal?

The Taj Mahal is made of marble of which a large component is calcium carbonate (CaCO3). CaCO3 reacts readily with acid to form salts (which are then washed away by the rain) and carbon dioxide.

Is the Taj Mahal affected by air pollution?

The Taj Mahal in Agra is a stunning historical structure composed of pure white marble. Experts have warned that air pollution in the vicinity of the Taj Mahal is discolouring and progressively corroding its white marble. This endangers the Taj Mahal’s beauty.

Why is the marble of the Taj Mahal turning brown?

Natural causes: Mineral impurities present in the marble get oxidised and create brown stains. Rain also has a weathering effect on the marble and can cause chipping and cracking. The iron dowels used to fix the marble slabs on the building get rusted and the rust flows down with rain, getting deposited on the marble.

What kind of weather does the Taj Mahal have?

The Taj Mahal undergoes chemical weather in the form of an acid-carbonate reaction. When sulfur oxides and oxides of nitrogen in the air dissolve in rain water, they form nitric acid and sulfuric acid.