EFFECTS OF POLUTION ON

HISTORICAL MONUMENTS
By 10-A
GIRLS

Effects of pollution on
monuments
Some damage, such as from wind or
rain, is unavoidable. However, pollution
contributes additional risk factors that
can increase the level of destruction.
The effects may be minor, such as a
blackening of the surface of
monuments due to dust. Other impacts
can have permanent consequences.

Significance
Pollution negatively impacts
historical monuments and buildings
around the world. The threat is in the
risk of losing these irreplaceable
structures forever. Many of these
monuments have cultural value that
is beyond price.

Acid rain
One of the more destructive forms of
pollution is acid rain The "acid" in
acid rain comes from sulfur oxides
and nitrogen oxides, products of
burning coal and other fuels and
from certain industrial processes.

Effect of acid rain on

monuments .
When acid rain falls on
historical monuments of
limestone or marble, a
chemical reaction takes place
which has a corrosive effect on
these structures. The reaction
dissolves the material, leading
to permanent damage.

Indian monument that is affected by

acid rain .
Taj mahal , one of the seven wonders of
the world is now very well known to be a
monument that is effected with the
harmful elements of nature .Taj mahal is
affected by marble cancer .
When acid rain falls on the surface of
white marble it turns yellow and is
permanent , this is called marble cancer .

BEFORE

AFTER

Global warming

AGlobal Warmingis an increase in the

average temperature of the earth's
atmosphere, especially a sustained
increase sufficient to cause climatic
change.
Global warming also has a bad effect
on our historical monuments .

How does global warming affect

monuments ?
Global warming affects monuments as most of
them are made up of natural stones and when the
temperature increases ( due to global warming )
the outer most layers of these monuments also
get heated up rapidly , while the inner layers of
the same monuments get heated very slowly and
due to the vast temperature difference unequal
expansionand contraction among the various
layersof stone results in peeling of stone,
cracking of it resulting in pore formation and
finally leads to the damage of monument

Monument that is affected due to

global warming in India .
The 400-year-old Charminar - the
most recognizable symbol of
Hyderabad -and other ancient
monuments within the 300 meter
heritage zone in the area are
turning black due to pollution and
their plasters are peeling off due to
the rise in temperature .

Other factors that also

affect
Other factors that contribute to
the rate of damage to historical
monuments are:
An increase in humidity provides
the necessary environment for
corrosive chemical reactions in
the absence of rain.
changes in sun radiation can
temporarily raise temperatures on
the surface of monuments,
resulting the effects of global
warming on a specific site.

Steps taken by the government of

India to save Taj mahal from acid
rain .

The government and city authorities have taken

measures to protect Indias greatest sight (taj
mahal) . Pollution stations around Agra monitor
air quality around the clock.
Car traffic has been banned within two
kilometers of the monument. Electric and battery
driven cars and buses then take tourists to the
site.
A natural gas pipeline is also in discussion.
Factories and industries around Agra should be
persuaded to change to cleaner forms of energy.

Steps taken by the government of

other countries to save their
monuments

As the great wall of china is under a

threat due to Tornadoes, storms,
winds, weathering, sun rays, erosion,
desertification (where fertile land
becomes desert),and also due to the
climate change . The government of
china have taken the following steps
to save their precious monument:
Enact laws to protect the wall from
further damage by men.
Provide funds to be used for wall
protection and preservation.