Moisture Adsorption Mechanism of Earthen Plaster Containing Soluble Salts in the Mogao Grottoes of China

Research reveals that the moisture adsorption process of earthen plaster in the Mogao Caves, particularly when contaminated with NaCl and Na2SO4 salts, occurs in three distinct stages as relative humidity (RH) increases. This finding highlights the critical role of RH fluctuations in the deterioration of cave structures and wall paintings. The study employed experimental methods to analyze moisture adsorption in plaster samples with varying salt contents at different humidity levels, identifying key factors such as hygroscopicity and salt interactions that exacerbate damage. These insights provide a foundation for developing targeted preventive conservation strategies to mitigate salt-related degradation in these culturally significant sites.

Li, F., Wang, X., Guo, Q., Zhang, B., Pei, Q., & Yang, S. (2018). Moisture Adsorption Mechanism of Earthen Plaster Containing Soluble Salts in the Mogao Grottoes of China. Studies in Conservation, 64(3), 159–173. https://doi.org/10.1080/00393630.2018.1537351