Abstract: In order to avoid complex processes of changes, or weathering (decay) of freshwater limestones embedded in numerous buildings and/or monuments due to interaction with various environmental conditions (external factors), builders have always tried to avoid construction (internal) factors, such as the selection of stone, the method and (often too small) depth of its extraction from the deposit for the construction of significant buildings, insufficient aging (storage) after extraction, improper installation (stacking) of stone in relation to its position in the deposit, as well as mistakes in stone processing and execution, in addition to inadequate maintenance. This paper presents the complex processes of changes, or weathering (decay) of freshwater limestones embedded in buildings and monuments as a result of its interaction with various environmental conditions (external factors), such as: the effects of temperature, humidity and quality of air, winds, precipitation, acidic rain, exhaust gases, micro-particles and organisms in the air and water, harmful salts, radiation, soil, biological colonization, along with the destructive action of man. In this process, the aesthetic deterioration of the stone surface is only a secondary problem compared to the destruction of its structure. The consideration must certainly include the pollution flows and the environment, and meteorological and microclimatic conditions.

Keywords: limestones, freshwater (limestones), lacustrine (limestones), oolitic (limestones), tenelija, miljevina, muljika, durability, external factors

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