Weathering nanomorphologies: Their experimental production and use as indicators of carbonate stone decay

Nanomorphological features (c. > 1 mm) produced by weathering processes can be observed with SEM and allied techniques. An experimental study using acidic water sprayed onto marble and calcite substrates reveals that weathering nanomorphologies can be produced and classified, and their occurrence quantified. Comparison with field samples shows that the experimentally produced nanomorphologies are smaller than, but morphologically similar to, naturally occurring features. Further experiments are needed to investigate and quantify nanomorphologies developed by a range of other weathering processes, and also to investigate their role in the development of larger-scale weathering features.