Taj Mahal Discoloration - Case Study.pptx

Taj Mahal Discoloration - Introduction, Effect of Acid Rain, Marble Cancer, Oli Refineries Near Taj Mahal,

1. Pr esented By : Praveen Sahu M.Sc. 2 st Semester School of Studies in Environmental Science Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University Raipur (C.G.) TAJ MAHAL DISCOLORATION

2. CONENTS Introduction Problem Concerning of Taj Mahal – Acid Rain Effects of Acid Rain Marble Cancer Oil Refineries near Taj Mahal Pollution due to Oil Refineries Waste Deposition in Yamuna River Effects of Waste Deposition on Taj Mahal Steps taken by Government What can we do to save Taj Mahal Conclusion References 1

3. INTRODUCTION The white marble domes of the Taj Mahal are iconic images of India that attract millions of visitors every year. The Taj Mahal pollution have been a burning issue over the past two decades in India. Pollutants in air are found as discoloring the white marble of Taj Mahal . 2

4. PROBLEM CONCERNING OF TAJ MAHAL Due to acid rain, the white marble of the famous monument began to turn yellow . It was observed in 1998 . When sulphur pollutants fall on to buildings made from limestone and sandstone they react with minerals in the stone to form a powdery substance that can be washed away by rain. The Taj Mahal have been damaged by this sort of air pollution. The deposition of SPM (Suspended Particulate Matter) on the shimmering white marble of the Taj Mahal imparts yellow tinge to the marble. 3

5. Taj Mahal is situated in Agra- a highly industrial area. The air in this place contains serious levels of sulphur and nitrogen oxides. This is due to the large number of power plants and industries set up around this area. All these led to acid rain. Acid rain reacts with the marble of Taj Mahal . This causes damage to this wonderful structure, which had attracted many people from different parts of the world. The colour of its white marble has turned to yellow. EFFECTS OF ACID RAIN 4

6. Image Source - https://images.app.goo.gl/RbCvKW96X3FE5rBV7 Before Now 5

7. When marble(Calcium Carbonate) comes in contact with acids corrodes by a chemical reaction and forms a layer of CaOH (Calcium Hydroxide)over its surface. This deposited layer of CaOH over the marble looks like a cancerous growth. This phenomenon is known as Marble Cancer . As per a report in the year 2011, Taj Mahal is a victim of marble cancer. MARBLE CANCER Image Source - https://images.app.goo.gl/H4Du9hwdKLiSkUvL8 6

8. OIL REFINERIES NEAR TAJ MAHAL Oil refineries cause smog and air pollution. On an average, a typical oil refinery emits about 100 chemicals every day. They emit many gases like sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxide (NO2), carbon dioxide, etc. There are many oil refineries in Agra the biggest among them being the Mathura Oil Refinery. It is presently about 47km from the monument, which is enough to damage the monument. 7 Image Source - https://images.app.goo.gl/RfVwdQKbLNZkv72q9

9. POLLUTION DUE TO OIL REFINERIES Oil refineries, especially the Mathura oil refinery, close to the monument releases toxic gases such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, etc. into the air. These gases are the major gases causing acid rain, which, as we have already seen, leads to the discoloring of the monument. Besides, the dust released from these settles on the walls of the monument destroying the beauty of the monument. These refineries also release untreated wastes into the river Yamuna which further helps in the degradation of the monument. 8

10. WASTE DEPOSITION IN YAMUNA RIVER The Yamuna is one of the most important rivers of north India. At one time, it was the lifeline for the people of the area, but today it is one of the most polluted rivers of the world. The amount of annual wastes collected in the river is measured in tonnes. The main cause of this accumulation of wastes is the releasing of untreated factory wastes into the river. 9 Image Source - https://images.app.goo.gl/CGMXoHZZEQdeG6Hi9

11. EFFECTS OF WASTE DEPOSITION ON TAJ MAHAL The increase of waste deposition in the river Yamuna is another threat to the monument. Due to the accumulation of wastes, the places close to the monument has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes because of the abundance of algae. These mosquitoes swarm and secrete green slimy substances on the walls of Taj Mahal , helping to the further discolouring of the monument. These insects descend on the marble walls in the evening which is a cause of disturbance for tourists. 10 Image Source - https://images.app.goo.gl/wDfakVJsme5ptJjW7

12. To protect Taj Mahal, the Government of India announced an action plan in 1995. The plan aims at clearing the air in Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ)'. Taj Trapezium refers to an area of 10,400 sq km that includes towns of Agra, Mathura, Bharatpur and Firozabad. In August 1999, the Supreme Court ordering the closure of 53 iron foundries and 107 other factories in Agra that have been blamed for the discoloring of the monument. As a result of this plan, over 2000 industries situated inside the TTZ had switched over to the use of liquefied petroleum gas or natural gas in the place of coal or oil. STEPS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT 11

13. We, the citizens of India also have the duty of protecting the Taj Mahal . We have to spread awareness about the threat faced by the monument and urge the government to take quick steps to combat this issue. We should not throw wastes into rivers. We should not carve on the walls of monuments and inspire others too, not to carve on the walls. WHAT CAN WE DO TO SAVE TAJ MAHAL 12

14. This is not just the story of Taj Mahal ; It is the story of all the monuments in India. This was a medium through which we got the opportunity to convey to all of you the need to protect these monuments.Monuments are the fruits of incessant labour , hard work and the beautiful creations of our ancestors. So, we do not have the right to destroy them. CONCLUSION 13

15. https://www.slideshare.net/NoelTom/taj-mahal-the-corroding-beauty https://images.app.goo.gl/RbCvKW96X3FE5rBV7 https://bergin.pratt.duke.edu/research/discoloration-taj-mahal#:~:text=Results%20indicate%20that%20deposited%20light,discoloration%20of%20the%20Taj%20Mahal . https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/es504005q REFERENCES 14

16. It is the duty of each and every citizen of India to protect the historic monument , The Taj Mahal , India’pride !!!!!! Image Source - https://images.app.goo.gl/qNMreHbuGHzndcQ88 15

17. Thank You