Air pollution, climate change and calcarenite stone:a case of study

All stone monuments are affected by surface deterioration, especially caused by weathering, which is the main cause of physical disintegration or chemical decomposition both initiated and controlled through the interaction between stones and different factors such as climate, biosphere or air pollution. The process of deterioration is progressive and irreversible, and the timing and mode of impact is depending on the characteristics of the monument, and the presence of specific flora and fauna.. As the decay of stone artefacts represents an irretrievable loss of our heritage and history, in the recent decade many studies have been carried out to increase the knowledge concerning the pollutant actions, quantification of damage, and assessment of the damage costs. [1, 2]. The aim of our study was to show how air pollution and climate change in synergy can contribute to damage the surface of a calcarenite building. The case of study regards the north-east and north exposed walls the unique entirely remained of a two century old farm placed (41°03’36.28”N e 15°48’26.69”E) among the archaeological site of Lavello, a little town located in the Basilicata Region (southern Italy), a cultivated field and the local industrial area