Remote sensing of climate change, long-term monitoring of air pollution and stone material corrosion in Estonia

The Fifth National Communication Under the Framework Convention on Climate Change covered the policies and activities in Estonia of the period 2006-2009. Climate change and air pollution cause significant damage, especially to various materials. Worldwide, 387 objects belong to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World heritage list, including the Old Town of Tallinn. The International Cooperative Programme on Effects on Materials, including Historic and Cultural Monuments (ICP Materials) is an ongoing research programme in the framework of which air pollution and the effect of climate on the corrosion of various natural and synthetic materials, including historical and cultural monuments, is studied. So far, the studies have shown that even though air pollution has continuously declined in Estonia, no significant reduction in corrosion has been noticed on the displayed limestone sample plates at the Lahemaa air monitoring station. On the contrary, in 2005-2006, the corrosion loss of limestone was greater compared with that in 1987-2003. It could be explained partly by changing environmental conditions but another possible explanation is that the Portland limestone as a stone material has a different quality.