Atmospheric aerosol monitoring as a strategy for the preventive conservation of urban monumental heritage: The Florence Baptistery

Abstract

The over time a knowledge of atmospheric aerosol composition near monuments has become an increasingly important issue in preservation strategies. Concerning the protection of outdoor monumental heritage against urban air pollution, scientific works have mainly focused on the composition of background urban aerosol. In the literature the importance of atmospheric pollutant monitoring close to monuments is not yet sufficiently emphasized. In order to fill this gap, the atmosphere in proximity of the Florence Baptistery was monitored throughout 2003. Aerosol samples were collected close to two of the three doors, characterized by different exposures to pollutant sources. The non-carbonate carbon and soluble ions in the total suspended matter were measured. The paper presents and discusses the comparison between the analytical data obtained from the different sampling sites on the same monument. The results obtained may provide a contribution to the formulation of guidelines for a suitable safeguard of cultural heritage. ► Aerosol monitoring near monument adopted as preventive conservation strategy. ► Close to the Florence Baptistery TSP was continuously monitored throughout 2003. ► The results show different aerosol composition nearby the two Baptistery doors. ► Non-carbonate carbon at Northern door is almost always higher than at Southern one. ► Protection of cultural heritage constitutes a priority for all countries.