Inorganic deterioration affecting the Altamira Cave, N Spain: quantitativeapproach to wall-corrosion (solutional etching) processes induced by visitors

Authors
Sanchez-Moral, S Soler, V Canaveras, JC Sanz-Rubio, E Van Grieken, R Gysels, K
Citation
S. Sanchez-moral et al., Inorganic deterioration affecting the Altamira Cave, N Spain: quantitativeapproach to wall-corrosion (solutional etching) processes induced by visitors, SCI TOTAL E, 244, 1999, pp. 67-84
Citations number
31
Categorie Soggetti
Environment/Ecology
Journal title
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
ISSN journal
00489697 → ACNP
Volume
244
Year of publication
1999
Pages
67 - 84
Database
ISI
SICI code
0048-9697(199912)244:<67:IDATAC>2.0.ZU;2-P
Abstract
In order to study the wall corrosion processes induced by visitors in the A ltamira Cave (northern Spain), a multidisciplinary study was conducted in t he cave. For a period of 1 year, a microclimate monitoring system, measurin g the temperature, relative humidity, CO2 and Rn-222 concentrations was ope rated. Host rock samples were collected as well as indoor and outdoor atmos pheric particulate matter. These data are used for a quantitative assessmen t of the wall corrosion processes. The presence of visitors was found to en hance the corrosion processes up to 78 times in comparison with the natural processes. Outdoor air pollution did not have a significant affect. (C) 19 99 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.