Using rates of gravestone decay to reconstruct atmospheric sulphur dioxide levels

Bibliographic Data

ID8360564
AuthorsRob Inkpen (0000-0002-1510-6911, University of Portsmouth, corresponding author), Howard D Mooers (0000-0001-7160-1135, University of Minnesota, Duluth), Michael Carlson (University of Minnesota, Duluth), Michael J Carlson
Year2017
Volume49
Issue2
Pages174-184
Publication date2017-06-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArea (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0004-0894 • E-ISSN: 1475-4762
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/area.12313
OpenAlexW2560868932
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited26

Decay losses from marble gravestones spanning the last 130 years were measured using the lead lettering index ( LLI ). The relationship between decay loss and gravestone age can be described using a power function of the form decay loss = a(age)b. For locations where decay is likely to have been dominated by ‘normal’ rainfall, the value of b tends to 1, while for locations where decay losses were higher in the past b tends towards a value of 2. Using Lipfert's dose–response function it is possible to postdict atmospheric sulphur dioxide concentrations using rainfall records and yearly decay rates derived from the power functions. Comparing the derived historic atmospheric sulphur dioxide concentrations between locations, the highest levels are found in the industrial location of Swansea compared with the relatively high historic levels found in urban area such as Oxford, Birmingham and Portsmouth. Suburban or rural locations tend to have very low concentrations

Atmospheric sciences · Lettering · Mineralogy · Sulfur dioxide · Archaeological Research and Protection · Building materials and conservation · Chemistry · Conservation Techniques and Studies · Environmental Science · Geology · History

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