Study on the Deterioration Mechanisms of Limestone and Marble Stone Relics Under the Greenhouse Effect

With the continuous rise in global temperatures and the concurrent increase in atmospheric CO₂ concentration, the deterioration of immovable cultural heritage under climate change has attracted growing scholarly attention. This study systematically investigates the weathering mechanisms of limestone and marble, two representative carbonate stones, under conditions simulating elevated CO₂ environments, the principal contributor to the greenhouse effect. Laboratory-based accelerated simulation experiments were conducted, integrating ultra depth of field microscope (UDFM), polarized optical microscopy (POM), x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), high-definition camera (HDC), electronic balance (EB), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively coupled plasma – atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), and automated surface area and porosity analyzer (ASAP) analysis. Comparative analyses were performed on the microstructure, mineral composition, dissolution rate, and pore characteristics of rock samples before and after CO₂ exposure. The results demonstrate that CO₂ significantly accelerates the dissolution and deterioration of limestone and marble, independent of liquid water involvement. Under non-precipitation conditions, high-concentration CO₂ can adsorb onto rock surfaces and infiltrate the pore network through capillary condensation, inducing mineral dissolution – reprecipitation reactions of calcite and related phases. These reactions promote surface corrosion, granular detachment, and structural weakening. This study elucidates the intrinsic mechanism by which CO₂ intensifies the weathering of carbonate stone relics in greenhouse environments, providing both theoretical and experimental insights into their deterioration processes. The findings offer a scientific basis for the preventive conservation and environmental adaptability management of limestone and marble heritage materials.