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  • Marble and Acid Rain: Why It's Vulnerable - Geological Insights
    The metamorphic rock widely used for monuments and buildings that would deteriorate significantly in contact with acid rain is marble.

    Here's why:

    * Composition: Marble is primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

    * Acid Reaction: Acid rain contains sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3). When these acids come into contact with calcium carbonate, they react to form calcium sulfate (CaSO4) and calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2), both of which are soluble in water.

    * Deterioration: This chemical reaction dissolves the marble, causing it to erode and weaken, leading to significant damage over time.

    Other notable examples:

    * Limestone: Similar to marble, limestone also contains calcium carbonate and is susceptible to acid rain damage.

    * Sandstone: While not as susceptible as marble and limestone, sandstone can also be affected by acid rain, especially if it contains calcite or other carbonate minerals.

    Note: While granite, a common rock used for monuments and buildings, is generally resistant to acid rain due to its high quartz content, it can still be affected by acid rain over long periods.

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