Petrograficzno-mineralogiczne i geochemiczne wskaźniki oddziaływania antropogenicznych zanieczyszczeń atmosfery na skały

Abstract

Processes of destruction of rocks in the presence of anthropogenic pollution of the atmosphere differ from "natural weathering". Surficial manifestation of natural weathering and accelerated by air-pollution are sometimes similar. The rate of destruction is related to the composition of the rock (e.g. carbonate rocks, sandstones), their textures and to the concentration of aggressive gazeous components of the pollution and dusts. There are several features which can be considered as indicators of the influence of air-pollution on the rocks: A. Occurrence of gypsum crusts on the surface of the rock (or sometimes of other composition). Dispersed single gypsum crystals occur also in the areas of low concentration of air-pollution. B. Occurrence of the layer of amorphic or poorly crystalline aluminosilicates with relatively high concentration of sulphur, chlorine, and phosphorous. C. Presence on numerous anthropogenic dusts on the surface of the rocks. Not all anthropogenic dusts can be easily distinguished from natural, eolian ones. Single particles of anthoropogenic dusts occur also in the areas of low concentration of air-pollution. D. Higher than natural concentration of some chemical elements of the surface of the rocks or in the surficial layer. There are processes of the concentration of elements. Some of them are related to the high concentration of the air-pollution (deposition of anthropogenic dusts, accumulation of components from rain water solutions). E. Presence in gypsum crystals of sodium, chlorine, and other elements (beside sulphur and calcium) indicates the high concentration of pollution in rain water solutions. F. Concentrations of REE (or other trace elements) also indicate the impact of the pollution on rocks. Most of these indicators need the verification.