Physical weathering is the toll put on rocks by processes like frost ice splitting abrasion from things hitting it plant roots decompression at the surface remember most rocks are formed.
Marble tombstone weathering.
If the marble headstone is in good condition proceed to the next step.
Thaw weathering as temperatures fall faster in the open air than under trees.
Dragovitch 1986 an excellent source of data for tombstone weathering in two different cities.
In many graveyards the head stones are aligned with the engraved side facing to the east.
The booming and polluted metropolis of sydney and wollongong where pollution rates haven t changed much.
Maps of surface recession rates measured from 8 438 century old vermont marble tombstones at 320 cemeteries.
Marble tombstone weathering and air pollution in north america thomas c.
This removes matrix and grains from the surface of the gravestone leaving a rough sugary feel.
Aspect is the compass direction in which the headstones face.
Studying rock types weathering processes and human history in a cemetery.
Weathering rates of marble in urban environments eastern australia.
Marble for example is assumed to decay mainly through dissolution by acidic rainfall natural rainfall is slightly acidic being a weak carbonic acid with a ph of 5 6.
Therefore in west yorkshire the back of the headstone faces the prevailing winds so should be more weathered.
First check the condition of the marble headstone that you want to clean.