Effects of accidental staining in carbonate stones: Physical, chemical and mineralogical changes

Two carbonate stones (a limestone and a marble), commonly used for flooring, wall cladding countertops, were exposed to different staining agents. After each cycle (staining cleaning with non-ionic detergent solution), the surface degradation was assessed on scale ranging from unchanged severe change (based qualitative characterization presented standard UNE-EN 16301:2014), stereomicroscopy colour spectrophotometry. 3 cycles, surfaces additionally evaluated by measuring specular gloss, roughness static contact angle also an optical scanning electron microscopes. Stones similar chemical composition physical properties, but microstructure grain size, exhibited distinct sensitivity levels same stains. Despite chromatic changes depending stain applied, higher ?E*ab detected marble surfaces. Gloss only increased olive oil stained limestone, while it decreased rest of surfaces; gloss red wine, blueberry juice, ketchup, citric acid lime, being these last three those highest increases. Hydrophilicity in both stones, regardless stain, more marked greater These trends related dissolution calcite grains considering applied.