Weathering of dolomitic sandstone under ambient conditions

The weathering of White Mansfield dolomitic sandstone has been studied under ambient atmospheric conditions. Specially constructed sampling devices, called “micro-catchment units”, were installed to sample the runoff water, i.e. the rain water that flows over the stones. In a first part of the study, the bulk run-off water was studied (some 500 samples), as well as individual particles in the runoff. The second part of the study was focussed on the stone material after three years of exposure. A whole range of modern analytical techniques has been used. An outline of the work and the results is given.