EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION ON HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND MONUMENTS AND THE SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR CONSERVATION

Objective

TO INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND OF THE MECHANISMS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DETERIORATION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND MONUMENTS, AND TO HELP PROVIDE A SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION.

IT IS INTENDED TO STUDY THE DAMAGE MECHANISMS OF ROCKS IN HISTORICAL MONUMENTS BY MEANS OF "IN SITU" OBSERVATIONS AND MEASUREMENTS AND BY LABORATORY STUDIES ON MATERIAL (ROCK SAMPLES, CRUSTS, ETC) GATHERED IN THE MONUMEMT.

"IN SITU" RESEARCH INCLUDES WORK ON WIND STRUCTURE NEAR AND AROUND THE MONUMENT AS WELL TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION INDOOR AND OUTDOOR; MONITORING OF THE RADIATIVE WARMING/COOLING CYCLES OF STONES (STATUES FACADES, ETC.); BALANCE OF AIR/RUNOFF/STONES DECAY, SAMPLING OF ROCK TYPES PRESENTS (SOUND ROCKS, ALTERED ROCKS, CRUSTS AND EFFLORESCENCES) AND ALSO FUNGI AND LICHENS; SAMPLING OF THE ATMOSPHERICS AIR (SO2, NOX).
IN LABORATORY ALL THE SAMPLES GATHERED ARE STUDIED BY MICROSCOPIC TECHNIQUES (POLARIZING MICROSCOPE, REFLECTED-LIGHT MICROSCOPE, ELECTRON MICROSCOPE), BY X-RAY FLUORESCENCE SPECTROGRAPHY AND DIFFRACTION, VISIBLE, UV RADIOMETRY, IR SPECTROGRAPHY, THERMAL TECHNIQUES (DTA AND GTA).
PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE DETAILED STUDY OF THE MONASTERY OF JERONIMOS IN LISBON, PORTUGAL.
THE EMPHASIS IS ON QUANTIFICATION OF DAMAGE, IN PARTICULAR ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS, THE EFFECTS OF WIND ABRASION; EROSION BY RUN-OFF; FREEZE-THAW MECHANICAL ACTION; DRYING-WETTING AND SCALING EFFECTS, ETC.

Programme(s)

• FP1-ENVPROT 4C - Multiannual research and development programmes (EEC) in the field of the environment - Protection of the environment -, 1986-1990

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TECNICO

Address

1,Avenida Rovisco Pais 1
1049-001 Lisboa
Portugal