Characterization of Rome’s rainwater in the early of 2018 aiming to find correlations between chemical-physical parameters and sources of pollution: a statistical study

Abstract

Analysis of rainwater in historical cities plays a key role to save ancient monuments from atmospheric agents. In this study we sampled the Rome’s rainwater from February to July of 2018 and we analysed them to determine their chemical and physical parameters: pH, redox potential, conductivity, temperature, and the concentration of the main inorganic ions (Na+, K+, Ca++, Mg++, F−, Cl−, NO3−, SO4−−). The volume of the daily fallen rainwater, the speed and direction of the wind in the sampling site were also collected. In order to find a correlation between all the above data we used the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Results evidenced that there aren’t authentic “acid rains” as the minimum pH value that we found is 5.2. In some cases high concentrations of nitrates and sulphates were found with maximum values of 12.4 ppm and 18.7 ppm respectively. We also found no correlation between the rainwater’s composition and the seasonal period; on the contrary, the speed and direction of the wind, especially when coming from the sea or industrial country near Rome, play a noticeable role on the rainwater composition.

Climate Change Threats to Stone Cultural Heritage: State of the Art of Quantitative Damage Functions and New Challenges for a Sustainable Future

“…He interpreted this observation as the effect of lichens which probably flourished on the stone surface before the 19th century, and then disappeared during the 20th century, giving way to dissolution processes. Although the local historical reconstruction of the historical climate conditions in Rome demonstrates that atmosphere and climate have been also affected by natural events (volcanic eruptions and temperature fluctuation in warming and cooling times) [54][55][56], it is well recognized that during the past century, the anthropogenic imprint has had a great impact on the environment [57][58][59] and, consequently, on monuments [60,61].…”

“…Heritage 2024, 7, FOR PEER REVIEW on the stone surface before the 19th century, and then disappeared during the 20th century, giving way to dissolution processes. Although the local historical reconstruction of the historical climate conditions in Rome demonstrates that atmosphere and climate have been also affected by natural events (volcanic eruptions and temperature fluctuation in warming and cooling times) [54][55][56], it is well recognized that during the past century, the anthropogenic imprint has had a great impact on the environment [57][58][59] and, consequently, on monuments [60,61]. Trajan s Column has great potential for reconstructing the decay evolution on its reliefs since it has been obsessively documented over the centuries by historians and archaeologists with drawings (famous are those of Giovanni Battista Piranesi, 1720-1778), photographs, and replicas [62][63][64].…”