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Taj Mahal turning Yellow – Marble Cancer

Acid rain-taj mahal

The most common culprit for Taj Mahal turning Yellow is iron, which when exposed to water, acids or bleach, begins to oxidize and turns it yellowish.

The pollution from local factories and oil refinery at #Mathura are also to blame for. These factories produce pollutants like Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide, which react with atmospheric oxygen. These gases further react with the water molecules present in the air forming Sulphuric acid and Nitric Acid. These acids then precipitate in the form of acid rain that falls on the Taj.

The acid rain then digests and destroys the outer layer of Taj Mahal – thus turning the white marble yellowish and also leading to cracks in the marble. The acids in the acid rain react with calcium carbonate of marble and degrade it. This phenomenon is also called #Marblecancer, which slowly corrodes away the marble. In addition to this, 2000 metric tons of waste is being dumped into the drains which eventually lead to the river Yamuna, which flows along the monument, further aiding the slow tarnishing of one of the world’s most beautiful man-made creations.

Another potential cause of the Taj losing its shine is the #tourists themselves. Every year, a large number of people visit the Taj Mahal. With so many people walking over this #marblebeauty, there is bound to be some wear and tear. The humidity level inside the building rises as a result of hosting such a huge population every day, gradually darkening its walls and floor.

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