Acid rain

["Andrew Rindsberg" <arindsberg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The effects of acid rain on exposed marble and limestone sculptures are well
known. Apparently, fossils in the field are also at risk. Recently, two
European paleontologists separately informed me that they had noticed rapid
deterioration that they ascribed to acid rain. Limestone surfaces are being
erased and shell beds are being reduced to a cheeselike consistency.

It is important to document the intensity and geographic extent of this
damage, and to determine whether it is really occurring at accelerated
rates. If it is extensive, then we may have been served with a time limit on
some kinds of field studies in industrialized regions. Does anyone have
ideas, anecdotes, or references that they would like to share concerning the
effects of acid precipitation on fossils?

Andrew K. Rindsberg
Geological Survey of Alabama
P.O. Box 869999
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35486-6999 USA