17087
Accession Number
19563
Editor
Grimstad, Kirsten
Title Of Article Chaper
The use of micrometeorological studies as an aid to the conservation of aboriginal rock art
Title Of Journal Book
ICOM committee for conservation: 8th triennial meeting, Sydney, Australia, 6-11 September, 1987. Preprints
Volume
3
Pages
1149-1153
Collation
10 figs., 9 refs.
Publisher
Getty Conservation Institute
Publisher City
Marina del Rey
ISBN
0-89236-094-1
Language Of Text
English
Literature Type
Monograph
Literature Level
Analytic
Meeting
ICOM committee for conservation: 8th triennial meeting
Meeting City
Sydney
Meeting Country
Australia
Abstract
It is believed that the primary weathering processes on the art at Walga Rock involves the presence of water. A model based on micrometeorological studies by Lyons has been applied to consider what incidence of condensation there may be on the art. The other source of water damage is recognized as being due to driving rain. The model is primarily based on the surface energy balance, where each point on the rock face, its heating and cooling trends, are directly related to their respective sky view-factors. The sky view-factor is the real proportion of surface directly exposed to the sky. This model was used to predict rock face temperatures, and in conjunction with climatological data from nearby Cue, was then used to study the incidence of dew-point temperature on the rock face. The model did not predict condensation on the rock face via the processes of dew formation or fog inception, for either current site conditions or conditions of revegetation. However, the moisture input from vegetation transpiration into the microclimate is recognized in that it would have some effect on the kaolinitic pigments, the extent of which has not yet been ascertained. Taking into account the action of driving rain and transpiration, a management proposal has been drawn up. This proposal seeks to minimize rain action, combined with a cautious approach to the questions of humidity and condensation. -- AATA
Keywords
Rock Art;Microclimates AATA
pub_id
17087
Meeting Date
19870906-19870911