The Effects of Urban Pollution on the “Gesù Nuovo” Façade (Naples, Italy): A Diagnostic Overview
The deterioration of stone heritage in urban environments is mainly the product of sources of air pollution like vehicular traffic and domestic heating. The results of these phenomena usually manifest as acid rain and particulate patinas, acting on the surface of stone monuments to form the so-calle...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/1/68 |
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| author | Alessandro De Rosa Paola Cennamo Chiara Saltarelli Giorgio Trojsi Juri Rimauro Maria Rosaria Vigorito Elena Chianese |
| author_facet | Alessandro De Rosa Paola Cennamo Chiara Saltarelli Giorgio Trojsi Juri Rimauro Maria Rosaria Vigorito Elena Chianese |
| author_sort | Alessandro De Rosa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The deterioration of stone heritage in urban environments is mainly the product of sources of air pollution like vehicular traffic and domestic heating. The results of these phenomena usually manifest as acid rain and particulate patinas, acting on the surface of stone monuments to form the so-called “black crusts”, a typical stone degradation product, mainly composed of gypsum. The aims of this study were to investigate the extent of these phenomena on the decorative apparatus of the frontal façade of Gesù Nuovo Church, in the historical centre of Naples (Italy). Preliminary diagnostics consisted of XRD and FTIR to analyse the composition of stone materials and inquire about previous restorations. The chemical characterization of black crusts was performed, using a diverse array of techniques, to highlight how different compounds are distributed along a vertical gradient and considering the proximity of specific sources of pollution (vehicle engine ignition, incense combustion, domestic heating products). Finally, molecular biology techniques were employed to identify the organisms which typically dwell in this formation and speculate about their contribution to the degradation of stone. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e643554c93684275bd0a41dae97af5a6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj-art-e643554c93684275bd0a41dae97af5a62025-01-24T13:21:54ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332025-01-011616810.3390/atmos16010068The Effects of Urban Pollution on the “Gesù Nuovo” Façade (Naples, Italy): A Diagnostic OverviewAlessandro De Rosa0Paola Cennamo1Chiara Saltarelli2Giorgio Trojsi3Juri Rimauro4Maria Rosaria Vigorito5Elena Chianese6Department of Humanities, University of Naples Suor Orsola Benincasa, 80132 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Humanities, University of Naples Suor Orsola Benincasa, 80132 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Humanities, University of Naples Suor Orsola Benincasa, 80132 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Humanities, University of Naples Suor Orsola Benincasa, 80132 Naples, ItalyItalian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustenaible Economic Development (ENEA), Portici Research Centre, Piazzale E. Fermi 1, 80055 Portici, ItalyDepartment of Humanities, University of Naples Suor Orsola Benincasa, 80132 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Science and Technology, University of Naple Parthenope, Centro Direzionale di Napoli, Isola C4, 80143 Naples, ItalyThe deterioration of stone heritage in urban environments is mainly the product of sources of air pollution like vehicular traffic and domestic heating. The results of these phenomena usually manifest as acid rain and particulate patinas, acting on the surface of stone monuments to form the so-called “black crusts”, a typical stone degradation product, mainly composed of gypsum. The aims of this study were to investigate the extent of these phenomena on the decorative apparatus of the frontal façade of Gesù Nuovo Church, in the historical centre of Naples (Italy). Preliminary diagnostics consisted of XRD and FTIR to analyse the composition of stone materials and inquire about previous restorations. The chemical characterization of black crusts was performed, using a diverse array of techniques, to highlight how different compounds are distributed along a vertical gradient and considering the proximity of specific sources of pollution (vehicle engine ignition, incense combustion, domestic heating products). Finally, molecular biology techniques were employed to identify the organisms which typically dwell in this formation and speculate about their contribution to the degradation of stone.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/1/68black crustsair pollutionstone’s degradationbiodeteriogenshistorical building |
| spellingShingle | Alessandro De Rosa Paola Cennamo Chiara Saltarelli Giorgio Trojsi Juri Rimauro Maria Rosaria Vigorito Elena Chianese The Effects of Urban Pollution on the “Gesù Nuovo” Façade (Naples, Italy): A Diagnostic Overview Atmosphere black crusts air pollution stone’s degradation biodeteriogens historical building |
| title | The Effects of Urban Pollution on the “Gesù Nuovo” Façade (Naples, Italy): A Diagnostic Overview |
| title_full | The Effects of Urban Pollution on the “Gesù Nuovo” Façade (Naples, Italy): A Diagnostic Overview |
| title_fullStr | The Effects of Urban Pollution on the “Gesù Nuovo” Façade (Naples, Italy): A Diagnostic Overview |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Effects of Urban Pollution on the “Gesù Nuovo” Façade (Naples, Italy): A Diagnostic Overview |
| title_short | The Effects of Urban Pollution on the “Gesù Nuovo” Façade (Naples, Italy): A Diagnostic Overview |
| title_sort | effects of urban pollution on the gesu nuovo facade naples italy a diagnostic overview |
| topic | black crusts air pollution stone’s degradation biodeteriogens historical building |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/1/68 |
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