Publication date: May 21, 2025

The degree of corrosion of the built cultural heritage site is examined considering the changes in air pollution trends during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Historical Peninsula of Istanbul as a case study area. Key findings indicate that restricted mobility during stringent lockdown measures contributed to a noticeable reduction in PM, SO, NO, and O. This causes a temporary decrease in the surface recession rates and corrosion depths of the materials. The maximum reduction in surface recession rate for Portland limestone and White Mansfield dolomitic sandstone reaches to 7. 2% and 7. 5%, respectively while for cast bronze and zinc, this ratio continues to 17. 1% for cast bronze and 4. 8% for zinc. Except for the Sultanahmet Urban Archaeological Site, carbon steel and copper exhibit modest variances in corrosion depth, remaining below 2%. Despite the reduction during the pandemic period, Portland limestone surface recession rate and the corrosion depth values of copper, and zinc have already surpassed the 2050 thresholds, indicating that the materials are already experiencing severe damage. This implies that the Istanbul Historical Peninsula necessitates comprehensive conservation strategy plans considering the potential for increased urban and traffic mobility rather than temporary solutions.

Semantics

Original Article