The effect of acid rain on the historical monuments in Mardin region

The historical and cultural, unique artifacts can?t be recovered anymore when destroyed. They are valuable heritage and crucial measures have to be taken to protect them. They will be possibly because of physical devastation, and acid rains which are result in air pollution. Acid rains are a result of the reaction of water and moist with burning fossil fuels, sulphur and nitrogen oxides which are released from traffic, and industry. They are one of the factors which cause the corrosion and decay of historical artifacts. Additional to the acid rains aspect, the chemical and mineralogical structure of any historical artifact? Can assist in determining the possible dimension of the interaction.The district of Mardin relates Anatolia with Mesopotamia, and has Iodged many civilizations for ages; it?s an important historical city which functions as a centre of artifacts which belong to different civilizations. Especialiy historical artifacts which are made of Mardin stones brought from the district of Mardin. Stone samples of historical artifacts were chemically characterized, and the rate of moistening was determined in this study to search how historical artifacts made of Midyat stones can be affected by acit rains. The sample from the historical artifact has been treated with acidic and basic solutions for certain periods and under certain temperatures. Thus, the amount of acidity, contact period and temperature of rain on historical artifacts were investigated. Mass losses were calculated after these effects.The example of historical monuments is consisted of Ca components. While Si compounds have a significant amount, Mg and K components in a little ratio are also available. While contact time, acidity and temperature increases, their affections of historical monuments are also increased. The maximum weight losses were found at pH=2 as %1.39, %0.86 for the acid contact time of 1440 minutes and %0.69 for 25 oC. The most soluable ions from the stones at pH=2.0 was Ca+2 with the concentration of 5.5 ppm.Key Words: Acid rain, Historical monuments, Mardin?s historical monuments, Acidrains effects