Salem limestone

In this paper, we describe an onsite weathering experiment designed to identify acid-rain increased dissolution of carbonate rock. This experiment is based on the measurement of the change in rainfall-runoff composition from the interaction of a rock surface with incident acid rain 2. The experiment involves conducting long-term exposures of two commercially and culturally important calcium carbonate dimension stones (i.e., Indiana Limestone (commercial name for Salem Limestone) and Vermont Marble (commercial name for Shelburne Marble)) (3-5). This technique appears to give a direct measurement of the chemical dissolution of carbonate rock from the combined reactions of wet and dry deposition. Preliminary results from the initial months of onsite operation are presented to illustrate the technique. 

Erdmann, D. E. and Duncan, S. S. "Methods for determination of inorganic substances in water and fluvial sediments Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations of the United States Geological Survey," Book 5, Chap. Al, p. 626, 1979. Ross, Malcolm Knab, Larry "Selection, procurement and description of Salem Limestone samples used to study effects of acid rain," U.S. Department of Commerce, NBSIR 84-2905, p. 22, 1984. 

Shelburne Marble from Vermont, used for example in the Jefferson Memorial, and Salem Limestone from Indiana, as used in the National Cathedral, were obtained as sample stock materials. Each of the two stone stocks was selected as a monolithic block and was cut into slabs measuring 610 x 305 x 51 mm, under the supervision of NAPAP personnel (7-8). Selected slabs were used to fabricate briquettes, which were employed for several of the damage studies. Briquette dimensions are shown in Figure 2. Surface finishes typical of those provided on stone used for exteriors of buildings were employed on what would become the skyward surfaces of slabs and briquettes an 80-grit ground surface was produced on marble, and a "smooth planar... 

Ross, M Knab, L. "Selection, Procurement, and Description of Salem Limestone Samples Used to Study Effects of Acid Rain" Natl. Bur. Stand. NBSIR 84-2905, 1984. 

Samples. Three standard stone samples were obtained from the collection of the Ball State University Geology Department. The primary sample was a specimen of Salem Limestone (calcite, CaCOo), commonly known as Indiana Building Limestone, which was obtained in the Bloomington-Bedford area. Because of its popularity as a construction material, the Salem Limestone was the focus of this study. It was subdivided into three equal sections for the testing of leaching rates at pH=3.0, 4.0, and 5.6. Henceforth, these three samples will be labeled Salem 3.0, Salem 4.0, and Salem 5.6. The somewhat porous crystalline face of each surface was cut smooth and square, but not polished. 

The Marble 3.0 and all three Salem Limestone samples were leached by a modified procedure. The spraying was replaced by setting each stone into a 14 cm petri dish together with 100 ml of the respective pH water for the standard 10 minute exposure time. The... 

Figure 3. Calcium leaching rates of Micrite, Marble, and Salem Limestone at pH=3.0.

Mossotti et al.[45] applying XPS to fresh Salem limestone, detected a sulphate layer of lOnm thickness on the calcite grains after an exposure period to pollutants. 

Figure 7 Evenly-spaced stylolites in the Salem Limestone of southern Indiana. Each stylolite is the seam of insoluble particles left by the stress-dissolution of a certain thickness of calcium carbonate. In contrast, in the region between any two adjacent stylolites, precipitation of calcite in pores has taken place rather than dissolution. A texture/pore-fluid chemistry feedback model has been proposed [ 19l to account for the generation of sets of stylolites in sedimentary rocks. Coin is 2 cm across.

Salem, Th.M., El-Didamony, H., and Mohamed, T.A. (1995) Studies on Portland blast furnace slag cement with limestone as a retarder. Indian Journal of Engineering Materials Science 21,32-135. 

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