Atmospheric acids can quickly destroy buildings made out of marble and which other material?

The correct answer is limestone. Atmospheric acids, primarily sulfuric and nitric acids, can react with limestone, which is primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). When acidic precipitation falls on limestone, a chemical reaction occurs that can lead to the dissolution of the mineral, essentially eroding the stone over time. This process can significantly weaken the structural integrity of buildings made from limestone, making it particularly vulnerable to damage from acid rain.

Limestone, being more reactive due to its high calcium content, is therefore more adversely affected by atmospheric acids compared to other materials like granite, shale, or siltstone, which are less susceptible to such chemical weathering. Granite is particularly resistant due to its silicate mineral composition, while shale and siltstone, although they can weather through mechanical processes, do not react as vigorously with acids as limestone does. This distinction highlights the reasons why limestone is most affected by atmospheric acids compared to these other materials.