Due to acid rain, ancient structures that have lasted thousands of years are now being destroyed by our generation’s pollution in the air. Rain is naturally acidic but air pollutants have added more acid to the rain. The air pollutant mostly comes from car exhaust, industrial, and power-generating plants. For years this silent killer, sulfur dioxide, has been destroying ancient architecture around the world that have stood against the hands of time until now do to negligence. For example, the article discussed the caryatids in Erechtheion on the Acropolis. This stone masterpiece is a perfect example on how pollutants in the air have had a devastating affect on ancient marvels. The basic ingredient in marble is calcium carbonate (CasCO3) which sulfur dioxide (SO2) has the most damaging effect on. Sulfur dioxide is found in water vapor that carries pollutants. The problem is the acid rain is turning the structures once made of strong marble to gypsum, a weak porous stone. Gypsum is easily eroded by wind and rain. Gypsum crumbles easily under stress thus the reason why these ancient structures are falling apart and disintegrating at a rapid pace. Mathematicians have come up with a solution to slow down the process to the sulfation taking place near ancient structures. First they must calculate the intensity of sulfur dioxide in the air. To find this out they would need to know the amount of porosity in gypsum, the diffusion of the sulfur dioxide in the air, and also the average velocity of air molecules. From there, the equations would be put together and the simplified to a smaller equation. From their, the mathematician would then go through more difficult and complex equations that have to do with determining the motion of water vapor, motion of air, and motion of gypsum. With certain mathematical equations, specific levels of sulfur dioxide is measured determining how much it takes to deteriorate a structure and exactly how long it would take to completely destroy one. With this information preserving ancient structures would be possible allowing us more time to enjoy their greatness. Along with these mathematical equations used to preserve the past, recognizing that pollution is now at an all time high will help the decrease of pollutants in the air with this awareness.
PLEASE REDUCE POLLUTION=(
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