Delhi is a cult red fortress of the 17th century, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a symbol of the rich Indian Mughal heritage, shows signs of emergency and the culprit is deteriorating air pollution in the city. Scientists They found that the signature of the Red Pískovec memorial is gradually black due to the chemical reaction caused by pollutants in the air.
A joint study of Indian and Italian scientists revealed that “black crusts”, layers of pollution containing compounds such as plaster, quartz and heavy metals such as lead, copper and zinc, are formed on the surface of the fortress. These crusts not only darkened walls, but also erode stone and threaten long -term stability of the memorial.
What is behind the dark walls of the red fortress?
A study conducted between 2021 and 2023 and published in the Heritage magazine in June 2025 is the first detailed examination of the chemical impact of air pollution on the red strength. Scientists have collected wall samples from different parts of the memorial and compared them with data on air quality in Delhi.
Their finding revealed that the red sandstone surfaces of the fortress have evolved ranking ranging from 55 to 500 micrometers, which consisted of gypsum, bassanite and Weddelite – minerals that point to external calcium sources, especially contamination.
According to scientists, these crusts are the result of years of accumulation of particles, causing both color and surface peeling. Responsible substances come from several sources:
- Construction and industrial activities: emissions from factories, construction sites and road dust contribute to the storage of calcium and heavy metals.
- Vehicles emissions: exhaust gases and wear of vehicles release harmful elements such as titanium, vanadium, chrome, manganese, nickel, copper, zinc and lead.
- Burning fossil fuels: continuous burning of coal and heating oil further accelerates the chemical corrosion of the surface of the memorial.
If the experts warned uncontrolled, the same phenomenon could soon affect other historical monuments in Delhi – including Humayun’s tomb and the Safdarjung tomb – which face similar environmental conditions.
Can damage be reversed?
Although the reduction of the overall air pollution of the Delhi remains a long -term challenge, scientists suggest that early intervention can help protect the structure and appearance of strength.
“The formation of black bark is a progressive phenomenon that begins with a thin black layer, which can be removed without damage to the stone if it is treated soon,” the study notes.
Scientists recommend introducing a regular maintenance and cleaning program for high -risk parts of strength and by means of stone covers to prevent new bark formation.
Such measures, as they claim, could slow down the deterioration of the fortress and maintain its significant red shade for future generations.
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