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Environmental Earth Sciences

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01-08-2011 | Special Issue

Pravčice Rock Arch (Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic) deterioration due to natural and anthropogenic weathering

Authors: Zuzana Vařilová, Richard Přikryl, Václav Cílek

Published in: Environmental Earth Sciences | Issue 7-8/2011

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Abstract

The dominant factors affecting the development of weathering forms on the Pravčice Rock Arch (PRA) (Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic) are discussed, based on the in situ monitoring of weathering forms, as well as on laboratory studies of materials taken from this site. The in situ monitoring shows the progressive development of distinct weathering forms (delamination of case-hardened rock surfaces, cyclic efflorescence, and granular disintegration of exposed weakly cemented rock mass) in specific portions of the PRA, whose location is controlled by lithology, jointing/local hydrodynamics, and exposure to climatic factors. From the analysis of efflorescence, the dominance of sulphates is evident; particularly of gypsum and alums. However, the synergistic effects of the several salt species (that also include minor nitrates and chlorides) upon the mechanical disintegration of sandstone can be expected.

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Title: Pravčice Rock Arch (Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic) deterioration due to natural and anthropogenic weathering
Authors: Zuzana Vařilová
Richard Přikryl
Václav Cílek
Publication date: 01-08-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Environmental Earth Sciences / Issue 7-8/2011
Print ISSN: 1866-6280
Electronic ISSN: 1866-6299
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-010-0881-z

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