THE TREATMENT OF WEATHERED GLOBIGERINA LIMESTONE: THE TREATMENT OF WEATHERED GLOBIGERINA LIMESTONE: THE SURFACE CONVERSION OF CALCIUM CARBONATE TO THE SURFACE CONVERSION OF CALCIUM CARBONATE TO CALCIUM OXALATE CALCIUM OXALATE T. Mifsud & J. Cassar Institute for Masonry and Construction Research, University of Malta, Malta HWC 2006 – MADRID
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THE TREATMENT OF WEATHERED GLOBIGERINA LIMESTONE: THE SURFACE CONVERSION OF CALCIUM CARBONATE TO CALCIUM OXALATE T. Mifsud & J. Cassar Institute for Masonry.
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THE TREATMENT OF WEATHERED GLOBIGERINA LIMESTONE:THE TREATMENT OF WEATHERED GLOBIGERINA LIMESTONE:THE SURFACE CONVERSION OF CALCIUM CARBONATE TO THE SURFACE CONVERSION OF CALCIUM CARBONATE TO
CALCIUM OXALATECALCIUM OXALATE
T. Mifsud & J. Cassar
Institute for Masonry and Construction Research, University of Malta, Malta
“Franka” and “soll” differ in their mineralogical composition and physical properties
“Soll” limestone is richer in the non-carbonate fraction
“Soll” limestone has a lower overall porosity
“Soll” limestone has a higher proportion of small pores
Institute for Masonry and Construction Research, University of Malta
T. Mifsud & J. Cassar
Globigerina Limestone – deterioration
The historical buildings and monuments were built without damp proof courses
Typical local construction includes a double skin of masonry with soil infill
The local marine environment is a source of soluble salts
Physical degradation thus results due to salt damage of the highly porous Globigerina Limestone
Chemical degradation also results from acidic conditions resulting from polluted environments
Deterioration manifestations include powdering, flaking, alveolar decay, back weathering and erosion
Institute for Masonry and Construction Research, University of Malta
T. Mifsud & J. Cassar
Methodology of the study
It is believed that many of the surviving historical buildings and monuments are composed of the “franka” limestone type due to their reduced deterioration
Due to the context of the local “franka” limestone buildings and monuments ammonium oxalate treatment seems promising
Studies with ammonium oxalate treatment on Globigerina Limestone have so far included fresh quarry “franka” and “soll” and weathered “soll” types
The investigation of an induced calcium oxalate surface of weathered “franka” limestone was the next step that has led to this research
Institute for Masonry and Construction Research, University of Malta
Institute for Masonry and Construction Research, University of Malta
T. Mifsud & J. Cassar
Institute for Masonry and Construction Research, University of Malta
T. Mifsud & J. Cassar
Treatment and testing
A 5% ammonium oxalate poultice was applied for 5 hours at 28°C and 75% RH by means of a cellulose pulp
After treatment the samples, both treated and untreated, were tested
This first phase concerns the verification of the conversion from carbonate to oxalate using X-Ray Diffraction
Also included in the testing were 2 exposed Globigerina Limestone monuments and “soll” limestone samples, all treated with an ammonium oxalate poultice in 2003 by others
Due to the small amounts of sample available for testing from the monuments, Synchrotron analysis was opted for
Results
Treated sample type Oxalate peak intensity/ calcite peak intensity
Halite peak intensity/ calcite peak intensity
Quarry Desalinated
14 % < 2 %
Quarry Non Desalinated
35 % 2 %
Naturally Weathered Desalinated
12 % 3 %
Naturally Weathered Non Desalinated
15 % > 100 %
Artificially Weathered Desalinated
9 % < 2 %
Artificially Weathered Non Desalinated
10 % > 100 %
Quarry “Soll” (Croveri 2004) 9 % 2 %
The Victory Monument, Birgu
10 % 3 %
The Zammit Monument, Valletta
17 % 3 %
Institute for Masonry and Construction Research, University of Malta
T. Mifsud & J. Cassar
Conclusions
All the treated samples formed whewellite, whereas weddellite was never formed
The non-desalinated samples formed larger amounts of whewellite
It is hypothesised that this is due to the larger surface area available for reaction with the ammonium oxalate poultice, present in the non-desalinated samples
The presence of sodium chloride does not inhibit the successful formation of whewellite
Institute for Masonry and Construction Research, University of Malta
T. Mifsud & J. Cassar
Acknowledgements
Institute for Masonry and Construction Research, University of Malta
T. Mifsud & J. Cassar
The authors would like to thank:
Dr. Emmanuel Pantos from the Daresbury Synchrotron Radiation Source (SRS), UK
Architect Chris Falzon, Chief Executive Officer of VISET (Malta) plc.
Agius Stone Works Ltd.
Dr. Ray Bondin, Executive Coordinator of the Valletta Rehabilitation Project
Dr. Paola Croveri
Architect Tano Zammit
Architecture Project (AP), Malta
The Institute for Masonry and Construction Research of the University of Malta http://home.um.edu.mt/masonry-construction/