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Environmental Monitoring and Damage Assessment at the Ancient Sanctuary of Demeter In Eleusis, Greece

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

Antonia I. Moropoulou  and
K. G. Bisbikou
Antonia I. Moropoulou
Affiliation:
National Technical University of Athens, Department of Chemical Engineering, Section of Materials Science and Engineering, Heroon Polytechniou 9, Zografou Campus, Athens-Greece
K. G. Bisbikou
Affiliation:
National Technical University of Athens, Department of Chemical Engineering, Section of Materials Science and Engineering, Heroon Polytechniou 9, Zografou Campus, Athens-Greece
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Abstract

In the present work, the main decay phenomena of the various lithotypes of the ancient Sanctuary of Demeter (1600BC) in Eleusis-Greece are studied in respect of the environmental factors under monitoring, concerning an area characterised by a heavy industrial pollution in an intense marine environment.

Stone surface alterations are studied by examining the various neoformations. Specific investigation has been performed on the depositions of the total suspended particles, mainly characterising the polluted atmosphere in the Thriassian plain, as possible weathering causes. OM, SEM, EDX and XRD analysis are employed consequently.

Decay phenomena like crust formations (gypsum, loose depositions of soot and suspended particles, at the more or less sheltered areas), various cementitious encrustations on the marble surfaces, especially the horizontal ones, or Fe-rich yellow patinas on the washed out surfaces are evidenced.

These weathering phenomena might be attributed to pollutants, suspended particles and their wet and dry depositions, which are measured according to the analysis performed.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 352: Symposium – Materials Issues in Art and Archaeology IV , 1995 , 745
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1995

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References

REFERENCES

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