Thermal study of unaltered and altered dolomitic rock samples from ancient monumentsThe case of Villarcayo de Merindad de Castilla la Vieja (Burgos, Spain)

In this study, the decomposition behaviour of unaltered and altered dolomitic rock samples used in Cultural Heritage buildings was studied by simultaneous TG–DTA experiments at different atmospheres, X-ray diffraction in a high-temperature chamber, and evolved gas analysis. The components of dolomite rock samples and hydrated calcium oxalate formed during the alteration processes of the rocks were characterized, and the decomposition mechanisms of these components were determined. The TG–DTA experiments carried out at CO2 atmosphere were used to determine the carbonate compounds in the rock samples. The TG–DTA study characterized the presence of organic compounds formed during the biological degradation of the rock samples, possibly responsible of the hydrated calcium oxalate formation.