Marble
Metamorphic rock
Carrara marble quarry in Italy
Composition
Mostly calcite or dolomite
Physical Characteristics
FabricTypically not foliated
Relationships
Protolithscarbonate minerals, Limestone, Dolomite

Marble is a metamorphic rock consisting of carbonate minerals (most commonly calcite (CaCO3) or dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2)) that have recrystallized under the influence of heat and pressure.[1] It has a crystalline texture, and is typically not foliated (layered), although there are exceptions.

In geology, the term marble refers to metamorphosed limestone, but its use in stonemasonry more broadly encompasses unmetamorphosed limestone.[2] Marble is commonly used for sculpture and as a building material.

Etymology

The Marble Boat, a lakeside pavilion in the Summer Palace in Beijing, China

The word "marble" derives from the Ancient Greek μάρμαρον (mármaron),[3] from μάρμαρος (mármaros), "crystalline rock, shining stone",[4][5] perhaps from the verb μαρμαίρω (marmaírō), "to flash, sparkle, gleam";[6] R. S. P. Beekes has suggested that a "Pre-Greek origin is probable".[7]

This stem is also the ancestor of the English word "marmoreal", meaning "marble-like."[8] While the English term "marble" resembles the French marbre, most other European languages (with words like "marmoreal") more closely resemble the original Ancient Greek.[9]

The Taj Mahal is clad entirely in marble.

Geology

Folded and weathered marble at General Carrera Lake, Chile

Marble is a rock resulting from metamorphism of sedimentary carbonate rocks, most commonly limestone or dolomite. Metamorphism causes variable recrystallization of the original carbonate mineral grains. The resulting marble rock is typically composed of an interlocking mosaic of carbonate crystals. Primary sedimentary textures and structures of the original carbonate rock (protolith) have typically been modified or destroyed.

Pure white marble is the result of metamorphism of a very pure (silicate-poor) limestone or dolomite protolith. The characteristic swirls and veins of many colored marble varieties are usually due to various mineral impurities such as clay, silt, sand, iron oxides, or chert which were originally present as grains or layers in the limestone. Green coloration is often due to serpentine resulting from originally magnesium-rich limestone or dolomite with silica impurities. These various impurities have been mobilized and recrystallized by the intense pressure and heat of the metamorphism.

Chemistry

Degradation by acids

Acids react with the calcium carbonate in marble, producing carbonic acid (which decomposes quickly to CO2 and H2O) and other soluble salts :[10]

CaCO3(s) + 2H+(aq) → Ca2+(aq) + CO2(g) + H2O (l)

Outdoor marble statues, gravestones, or other marble structures are damaged by acid rain whether by carbonation, sulfation or the formation of "black-crust" (accumulation of calcium sulphate, nitrates and carbon particles).[10] Vinegar and other acidic solutions should be avoided in the cleaning of marble products.

Crystallization

Crystallization refers to a method of imparting a glossy, more durable finish on to a marble floor (CaCO3). It involves polishing the surface with an acidic solution and a steel wool pad on a flooring machine. The chemical reaction below shows a typical process using magnesium fluorosilicate (MgSiF6) and hydrochloric acid (HCl) taking place.

CaCO3(s) + MgSiF6(l) + 2HCl (l) → MgCl2(s) + CaSiF6(s) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)

The resulting calcium hexafluorosilicate (CaSiF6) is bonded to the surface of the marble. This is harder, more glossy and stain resistant compared to the original surface.

The other often used method of finishing marble is to polish with oxalic acid (H2C2O4), an organic acid. The resulting reaction is as follows:

CaCO3(s) + H2C2O4(l) → CaC2O4(s) + CO2(g) + H2O(l)

In this case the calcium oxalate (CaC2O4) formed in the reaction is washed away with the slurry, leaving a surface that has not been chemically changed.[11]

Microbial degradation

The haloalkaliphilic methylotrophic bacterium Methylophaga murata was isolated from deteriorating marble in the Kremlin.[12] Bacterial and fungal degradation was detected in four samples of marble from Milan Cathedral; black Cladosporium attacked dried acrylic resin[13] using melanin.[14]

Types and features

The Library of Celsus in Ephesus, Turkey. Turkey is the largest marble exporter in the world.
Marble wall of Ruskeala, Republic of Karelia, Russia
A piece of blue calcite marble from the Precambrian period in New York State, United States

Examples of notable marble varieties and locations

MarbleColorLocationCountry
Bianco Sivec white near Prilep (Прилеп), Pelagonia (Пелагониски) North Macedonia
Carrara marble white or blue-gray Carrara, Tuscany Italy
Statuario marble white, golden, black Carrara, Apuan Alps Italy
Creole marble white and blue/black Pickens County, Georgia United States
Etowah marble pink, salmon, rose Pickens County, Georgia United States
Hanbaiyu marble white Quyang County, Hebei China
Makrana marble white Makrana, Nagaur district, Rajasthan India
Murphy marble white Pickens and Gilmer Counties, Georgia United States
Nero Marquina marble black Markina-Xemein, Bizkaia, Basque County Spain
Parian marble pure-white, fine-grained Island of Paros (Πάρος), South Aegean (Νοτίου Αιγαίου) Greece
Pentelic marble[15] pure-white, fine-grained semitranslucent Mount Pentelicus (Πεντελικό όρος), Attica (Ἀττική) Greece
Prokonnesos marble white Marmara Island, Sea of Marmara Turkey
Ruskeala marble white near Ruskeala (Рускеала), Karelia (Карелия) Russia
Rușchița marble[16] white, pinkish, reddish Poiana Ruscă Mountains, Caraș-Severin County Romania
Swedish green marble green near Kolmården, Södermanland Sweden
Sylacauga marble white Talladega County, Alabama United States
Venčac marble white Venčac mountain near Aranđelovac Serbia
Vermont marble white Proctor, Vermont United States
Wunsiedel marble white Wunsiedel, Bavaria Germany
Yule marble uniform pure white near Marble, Colorado United States

Features

Marble is a rock composed of calcium and magnesium carbonate, mostly white and pink.[1] Common marble varieties are granular limestone or dolomite. The hardness of marble is very high, because the internal structure of the rock is very uniform after long-term natural aging, and the internal stress disappears, so the marble will not be deformed due to temperature, and has strong wear resistance. It is a very popular building material.

The following table is a summary of the features of Marble.[17]

Colour White, Pink, Black etc
Texture granular
Grain size medium grained
Mineralogy calcite
Hardness hard
Other features generally gritty to touch
Uses building stone

Uses

Marble products in Romblon, Philippines
Statue of Abraham Lincoln (Lincoln Memorial) sculpted by Daniel Chester French from Georgia Marble in 1920

Sculpture

White marble has been prized for its use in sculptures[18] since classical times. This preference has to do with its softness, which made it easier to carve, relative isotropy and homogeneity, and a relative resistance to shattering. Also, the low index of refraction of calcite allows light to penetrate 12.7 to 38 millimeters into the stone before being scattered out, resulting in the characteristic waxy look which brings a lifelike luster to marble sculptures of any kind, which is why many sculptors preferred and still prefer marble for sculpting the human form.[19]

Construction

Construction marble is a stone which is composed of calcite, dolomite or serpentine that is capable of taking a polish.[20] More generally in construction, specifically the dimension stone trade, the term marble is used for any crystalline calcitic rock (and some non-calcitic rocks) useful as building stone. For example, Tennessee marble is really a dense granular fossiliferous gray to pink to maroon Ordovician limestone, that geologists call the Holston Formation.

Ashgabat, the capital city of Turkmenistan, was recorded in the 2013 Guinness Book of Records as having the world's highest concentration of white marble buildings.[21]

Production

Mining of Karibib Marble (2018)
22°06′16″S 015°48′48″E / 22.10444°S 15.81333°E / -22.10444; 15.81333 (Marmor)
Marble quarry in Jaipur, India. Large rock faces that have been cut to vertical angles, with heavy equipment such as excavators in the picture.
Marble quarry in Jaipur, India

The extraction of marble is performed by quarrying. Blocks are favoured for most purposes, and can be created through various techniques, including drilling and blasting, water jet and wedge methods.[22] Limestones are often commercially and historically referred to as marble, which differs from the geological definition.

Locations

In 1998, marble production was dominated by 4 countries that accounted for almost half of world production of marble and decorative stone. Italy and China were the world leaders, each representing 16% of world production, while Spain and India produced 9% and 8%, respectively.[23]

In 2018 Turkey was the world leader in marble export, with 42% share in global marble trade, followed by Italy with 18% and Greece with 10%. The largest importer of marble in 2018 was China with a 64% market share, followed by India with 11% and Italy with 5%.[24]

United States

According to the United States Geological Survey, U.S. domestic marble production in 2006 was 46,400 tons valued at about $18.1 million, compared to 72,300 tons valued at $18.9 million in 2005. Crushed marble production (for aggregate and industrial uses) in 2006 was 11.8 million tons valued at $116 million, of which 6.5 million tons was finely ground calcium carbonate and the rest was construction aggregate. For comparison, 2005 crushed marble production was 7.76 million tons valued at $58.7 million, of which 4.8 million tons was finely ground calcium carbonate and the rest was construction aggregate. U.S. dimension marble demand is about 1.3 million tons. The DSAN World Demand for (finished) Marble Index has shown a growth of 12% annually for the 2000–2006 period, compared to 10.5% annually for the 2000–2005 period. The largest dimension marble application is tile.

Palestine

The stone and marble industry is one of the largest industries in Palestine, contributing 20-25% of its total industrial revenues, generating USD $400–$450 million in revenue annually. The industry employs 15,000–20,000 workers across the West Bank across 1200–1700 facilities, and amounts to 4.5% of the nation's GDP. The vast majority of the industry's exports are to Israel.

Marble in the geologic sense does not naturally outcrop in Palestine, and that the vast majority of commercially labeled marble produced in Palestine produced would be geologically considered limestone.[25]

Occupational safety

Particulate air pollution exposure has been found to be elevated in the marble production industry. Exposure to the dust produced by cutting marble could impair lung function or cause lung disease in workers, such as silicosis. Skin and eye problems are also a potential hazard. Mitigations such as dust filters, or dust suppression are suggested, but more research needs to be carried out on the efficacy of safety measures.[26][25]

In the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set the legal limit (permissible exposure limit) for marble exposure in the workplace as 15 mg/m3 total exposure and 5 mg/m3 respiratory exposure over an 8-hour workday. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has set a recommended exposure limit (REL) of 10 mg/m3 total exposure and 5 mg/m3 respiratory exposure over an 8-hour workday.[27]

Dust, debris and temperature fluctuations from working marble can endanger the eye health of employees.[28] For the staff involved in marble processing, it is necessary to provide eye protection equipment, and it is recommended to improve the education of all workers on occupational health risks and strengthen preventive measures.[28]

Cultural associations

Jadwiga of Poland's sarcophagus by Antoni Madeyski, Wawel Cathedral, Kraków

As the favorite medium for Greek and Roman sculptors and architects (see classical sculpture), marble has become a cultural symbol of tradition and refined taste. Its extremely varied and colorful patterns make it a favorite decorative material.[29]

Places named after the stone include Marblehead, Massachusetts; Marblehead, Ohio; Marble Arch, London; the Sea of Marmara; India's Marble Rocks; and the towns of Marble, Minnesota; Marble, Colorado; Marble Falls, Texas, and Marble Hill, Manhattan, New York. The Elgin Marbles are marble sculptures from the Parthenon in Athens that are on display in the British Museum. [30]

Impact on the environment

This is a pile of marble waste in Aliveri.

Total world quarrying production in 2019 was approximately 316 million tonnes; however, quarrying waste accounted for 53% of this total production.[28] In the process of marble mining and processing, there will be a large amount of non-degradable waste, which will cause serious damage to the environment and threaten the life of animals and plants.[1] For example, the poor management of mining activities has resulted in a large amount of waste rocks, and the waste is thrown by the river, polluting the surrounding water sources, causing groundwater pollution, and endangering human health. According to the research of water samples around the marble mine, it was found that the number of cations and anions in the water increased.[1]

Sustainability

Marble[1] sludge waste can be used as a mineral filler in water-based paints.[31] Using ground calcium carbonate as a filler in paint production can improve the brightness, hiding power and application performance of paint, and can also replace expensive pigments such as titanium dioxide.[31] Recycling of marble waste leads to a large amount of waste not being landfilled, reducing environmental pollution, thereby realizing the sustainability of marble. Converting waste to generate economic income and restore degraded soil can improve the environment.

Cleaning and preservation

The nature of marble is soft and porous, so it is easily stained by colored liquids and scratches easily. Maintenance and cleaning is particularly important.[32]

Preservation

  • Prevent sand and dust from contacting the marble surface.[32]
  • Avoid corroding marble surfaces with alcohol, color and acidic liquids.[32]

Cleaning

  • As a floor material, marble is easy to scratch. You can first use a vacuum cleaner to suck away the grit and dust on the marble floor, and then use a steam cleaner to remove other dirt.[33]
  • A mild, pH-neutral, non-abrasive soap should be used for cleaning marble surfaces. Wipe with a soft foam cotton or rag.[33]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Marble | Definition, Types, Uses, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  2. ↑ Kearey, Philip (2001). Dictionary of Geology, Penguin Group, London and New York, p. 163. ISBN 978-0-14-051494-0
  3. ↑ μάρμαρον, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek–English Lexicon, on Perseus Digital Library
  4. ↑ μάρμαρος, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek–English Lexicon, on Perseus Digital Library
  5. ↑ Marble, Compact Oxford English Dictionary. Askoxford.com. Retrieved on 2011-09-30.
  6. ↑ μαρμαίρω, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek–English Lexicon, on Perseus Digital Library
  7. ↑ R. S. P. Beekes, Etymological Dictionary of Greek, Brill, 2009, p. 907.
  8. ↑ "Definition of MARMOREAL". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  9. ↑ "Definition of MARBLE". www.merriam-webster.com. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Environmental degradation of marble". What is Chemistry?. University Federico II of Naples, Italy. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  11. ↑ "Crystallization vs. Oxalic Acid Polishing" (PDF). 3M.
  12. ↑ Doronina NV; Li TsD; Ivanova EG; Trotsenko IuA. (2005). "Methylophaga murata sp. nov.: a haloalkaliphilic aerobic methylotroph from deteriorating marble". Mikrobiologiia. 74 (4): 511–9. PMID 16211855.
  13. ↑ Cappitelli F; Principi P; Pedrazzani R; Toniolo L; Sorlini C (2007). "Bacterial and fungal deterioration of the Milan Cathedral marble treated with protective synthetic resins". Science of the Total Environment. 385 (1–3): 172–81. Bibcode:2007ScTEn.385..172C. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.06.022. PMID 17658586.
  14. ↑ Cappitelli F; Nosanchuk JD; Casadevall A; Toniolo L; Brusetti L; Florio S; Principi P; Borin S; Sorlini C (Jan 2007). "Synthetic consolidants attacked by melanin-producing fungi: case study of the biodeterioration of Milan (Italy) cathedral marble treated with acrylics". Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 73 (1): 271–7. Bibcode:2007ApEnM..73..271C. doi:10.1128/AEM.02220-06. PMC 1797126. PMID 17071788.
  15. ↑ Pentelic marble, Britannica Online Encyclopaedia. Britannica.com. Retrieved on 2011-09-30.
  16. ↑ "RAPORT DE ȚARĂ. Domul din Milano a fost reconstruit cu marmură de Rușchița". Archived from the original on 2013-05-14. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
  17. ↑ "Geology - rocks and minerals". rocksminerals.flexiblelearning.auckland.ac.nz. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  18. ↑ PROCEEDINGS 4th International Congress on "Science and Technology for the Safeguard of Cultural Heritage in the Mediterranean Basin" VOL. I. Angelo Ferrari. p. 371. ISBN 9788896680315. white marble prized for use to make sculptures.
  19. ↑ "Marble", Britannica Online Encyclopaedia. Britannica.com.; Clarke, Michael, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms, p.148, 2001, Oxford University Press, ISBN 9780192800435
  20. ↑ Marble Institute of America pp. 223 Glossary
  21. ↑ "Turkmenistan enters record books for having the most white marble buildings | World news". theguardian.com. London. 2013-05-26. Retrieved 2013-11-24.
  22. ↑ Rathore, S. S.; Bhandari, S. (2006-03-30). "Controlled Fracture Growth by Blasting While Protecting Damages to Remaining Rock". Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering. 40 (3): 317–326. doi:10.1007/s00603-005-0080-5. ISSN 0723-2632. S2CID 55998785.
  23. ↑ Strategic positioning study of the marble branch Archived 2005-11-10 at the Wayback Machine. CEPI Brief N° 6. tunisianindustry.nat.tn
  24. ↑ Comtrade. "Comtrade Explorer - Snapshot HS 2515 (Marble, travertine, ecaussine and other stone)". United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  25. 1 2 Salem, Hilmi S. (2021-02-02). "Evaluation of the Stone and Marble Industry in Palestine: environmental, geological, health, socioeconomic, cultural, and legal perspectives, in view of sustainable development". Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 28 (22): 28058–28080. doi:10.1007/s11356-021-12526-4. ISSN 0944-1344. PMC 7851506. PMID 33528771.
  26. ↑ Foja, A.F. (1993) Marble industry: its socioeconomic, environmental and health effects among marble worker/producer households in Romblon Archived 2016-04-28 at the Wayback Machine. Philippines University Thesis. fao.org
  27. ↑ "CDC – NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards – Marble". www.cdc.gov. Retrieved 2015-11-27.
  28. 1 2 3 Khorshed, Enjy A. E.; El-Naggar, Safaa A.; El-Gohary, Samia S.; Awad, Ahmed M. B.; Ahmed, Amani S. (2022). "Occupational ocular health problems among marble workers at Shaq El Tho'ban industrial area in Egypt". Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 29 (25): 37445–37457. doi:10.1007/s11356-021-18410-5. ISSN 0944-1344. PMC 9106598. PMID 35066853.
  29. ↑ Granite, Arch City (2016-01-25). "The History of Marble Stone And Why It's so Popular For Countertops". Arch City Granite & Marble. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  30. ↑ "Cities named Marble. How many places are named Marble?". geotargit.com. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
  31. 1 2 Marras, Graziella; Carcangiu, Gianfranco; Meloni, Paola; Careddu, Nicola (2022). "Circular economy in marble industry: From stone scraps to sustainable water-based paints". Construction and Building Materials. 325: 126768. doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126768. S2CID 246736434.
  32. 1 2 3 "How to Clean Marble". Better Homes & Gardens. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
  33. 1 2 "How to Clean Marble". This Old House. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
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