Provenance and weathering depth of carbonaceous gotland sandstone by use of carbon and oxygen isotopes

Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of carbonates (calcite) from different sites and stratigraphic levels of the Gotland sandstone show that it might be possible to fingerprint the different quarries. Preliminary tests of nine samples of Gotland sandstone from different buildings show that the laser microprobe is an excellent tool for estimating depth of weathering on this carbonaceous sandstone. Analyses perpendicular to the stone surface gave a similar trend for the carbon and oxygen isotope ratios, although changes go deeper with δ13C than δ18O. Depth of weathering is controlled by exposure, location, biologic overgrowth and salt efflorescence. The effect of earlier conservation treatment with linseed oil can also be traced.