Weathering of dolomite in industrial environments

Abstract

To the exclusion of other major atmospheric pollutants, sulfur dioxide is mainly responsible for attack upon dolomite. This article characterizes Laurel Dolomite on the basis of composition, texture, and porosity; describes the mechanism of the SO2 reaction with dolomite; and develops two equations for the prediction of the rate of decay of dolomite. Over a period of 120 yr nearly 3.57 mm surface reduction at protected areas and 0.915 mm surface reduction at unprotected surfaces of a building in Louisville was calculated. However, these values could not be verified because measurement of these quantities in the field cannot be made.