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University of Oxford
School of Geography and the Environment

 School of Geography and the Environment

Research: Landscape Dynamics: Oxford Rock Breakdown Laboratory

Resources

1. Thin Section Collection

We have an extensive collection of petrological thin sections, which start with material collected by G.S. Sweeting, continued by Dr M.M. Sweeting and added to more recently by other members of the laboratory group.

Location (number of slides):
  • Yucatan (20)
  • Scotland Durness (5)
  • Ireland Clare (20)
  • Ireland (Geology Department, University of Dublin) (17)
  • Yorkshire (Crystal Beck) (28)
  • Yorkshire (34)
  • Springs Wood Level Starbotton SD95837434 8-11-72 Tray 1 (27)
  • Springs Wood Level Starbotton SD95837434 8-11-72 Tray 2 (20)
  • The Weald Tray 1 (25)
  • The Weald Tray 2 (17)
  • Australia (Indigenous) Tray 1 (34)
  • Australia (indigenous) Tray 2 (30)
  • B. Honduras (19)
  • Canada (23)
  • Jamaica & Caribbean (10)
  • S. Africa (24)
  • Limestones General (14)
  • Yugoslavia (22)
  • Devon (8)
  • Limestones Various Localities (8)

2. Rock Breakdown Image Gallery

SEM / thin section / dissecting microscope photos
  1. Nanomorphologies on limestone (Viles and Moses)
  2. Lichen weathering of sandstone, Cederberg Mts, South Africa
  3. Reigate stone - decay
  4. Salt weathering experiments
  5. EMITS
  6. Aldabra Atoll - biofilms and weathering
  7. Namibia - fungi and lichens
  8. Calcite and marble salt weathering experiment
  9. NMEP samples
  10. Experiments on reaction of limestone / calcite with sulphuric acid to produce gypsum
  11. Jordan - biofilms and case hardening (dissecting microscope)
  12. Namib Desert 2 years of exposure trials

1. Nanomorphologies on limestone (Viles and Moses)
Viles and Moses Fig. 5a ii. Shallow V-in-V etching and widened cleavage on marble samples. Scale bar = 20 microns.

Viles and Moses Fig. 5a ii. Shallow V-in-V etching and widened cleavage on marble samples. Scale bar = 20 microns.

Viles and Moses Fig. 6a i. V-in-V etching coupled with deep etching along cleavage planes and development of etch pits at cleavage intersections on marble. Scale bar = 50 microns.

Viles and Moses Fig. 6a i. V-in-V etching coupled with deep etching along cleavage planes and development of etch pits at cleavage intersections on marble. Scale bar = 50 microns.

Viles and Moses Fig. 6a ii. Deep V-in-V etching and etched grain boundaries on marble sample. Scale bar = 20 microns.

Viles and Moses Fig. 6a ii. Deep V-in-V etching and etched grain boundaries on marble sample. Scale bar = 20 microns.


2. Lichen weathering of sandstone, Cederberg Mountains, South Africa
Cederberg Mountains 0-2. Rhizine of Parmelia sp. Penetrating into quartz grains. Scale bar = 200 microns.

Cederberg Mountains 0-2. Rhizine of Parmelia sp. Penetrating into quartz grains. Scale bar = 200 microns.

Cederberg Mountains 5-13. Small thallus of Caloplaca cinnabarina on quartz grain. Scale bar = 200 microns.

Cederberg Mountains 5-13. Small thallus of Caloplaca cinnabarina on quartz grain. Scale bar = 200 microns.

Cederberg Mountains 14-7. Small thallus of Caloplaca cinnabarina on quartz grain. Scale bar = 100 microns.

Cederberg Mountains 14-7. Small thallus of Caloplaca cinnabarina on quartz grain. Scale bar = 100 microns.


3. Reigate stone - decay
Tower of London 1-16. Reigate stone, from Tower of London showing characteristic cristobalite lepispheres. Scale bar = 20 microns.

Tower of London 1-16. Reigate stone, from Tower of London showing characteristic cristobalite lepispheres. Scale bar = 20 microns.

Tower of London 3-25. Coccoliths from Reigate stone, Tower of London. Scale bar = 10 microns.

Tower of London 3-25. Coccoliths from Reigate stone, Tower of London. Scale bar = 10 microns.

Tower of London 6-0. Cristobalite lepispheres. Reigate stone, Tower of London. Scale bar = 20 microns.

Tower of London 6-0. Cristobalite lepispheres. Reigate stone, Tower of London. Scale bar = 20 microns.


4. Salt weathering experiments

Forthcoming.

5. Oxford weathering studies
EMITS WOA 96-9. Small lichen thallus growing on Stoke Ground Base Bed (Bath stone) exposure tablet after 3 years in an urban background site in Oxford. (Light microscope image.)

EMITS WOA 96-9. Small lichen thallus growing on Stoke Ground Base Bed (Bath stone) exposure tablet after 3 years in an urban background site in Oxford. (Light microscope image.)

EMITS LW1A 96-8. Green coloration, probably algal colonization, in pores on surface of Stoke Ground Base Bed (Bath stone) exposure tablet after 2 years along a busy road in Oxford. (Light microscope image.)

EMITS LW1A 96-8. Green coloration, probably algal colonization, in pores on surface of Stoke Ground Base Bed (Bath stone) exposure tablet after 2 years along a busy road in Oxford. (Light microscope image.)

EMITS HS1 97-9. Blackening in surface pores and some biofilm development on Stoke Ground Base Bed (Bath stone) exposure tablet after 2 years along a very busy road in Oxford.

EMITS HS1 97-9. Blackening in surface pores and some biofilm development on Stoke Ground Base Bed (Bath stone) exposure tablet after 2 years along a very busy road in Oxford.


6. Aldabra Atoll - biofilms and weathering
1202. Cyanobacterial biofilm developed on Ile Picard, Aldabra Atoll on a limestone surface 16 years after colonization. Scale bar = 50 microns.

1202. Cyanobacterial biofilm developed on Ile Picard, Aldabra Atoll on a limestone surface 16 years after colonization. Scale bar = 50 microns.

1604. Partly calcified cyanobacterial filaments from Ile Picard, Aldabra Atoll. Scale bar = 50 microns.

1604. Partly calcified cyanobacterial filaments from Ile Picard, Aldabra Atoll. Scale bar = 50 microns.

2503. Cryptoendolithic cyanobacteria from limestone on Aldabra Atoll. Scale bar = 50 microns.

2503. Cryptoendolithic cyanobacteria from limestone on Aldabra Atoll. Scale bar = 50 microns.


7. Namibia - fungi and lichens
1. Microcolonial fungi on quartz from the Central Namib Desert.

1. Microcolonial fungi on quartz from the Central Namib Desert.

2. Microcolonial fungi on calcite from the Central Namib Desert.

2. Microcolonial fungi on calcite from the Central Namib Desert.

Swartbankberg 2 (Shot 4). Fungal hyphae at the base of a crustose lichen on marble from Swartbankberg showing clear production of boreholes into the marble. Scale bar = 20 microns.

Swartbankberg 2 (Shot 4). Fungal hyphae at the base of a crustose lichen on marble from Swartbankberg showing clear production of boreholes into the marble. Scale bar = 20 microns.

Swartbankberg 5 (Shot 15). Higher magnification view showing granular disintegration associated with portions of lichen thallus. Scale bar = 20 microns.

Swartbankberg 5 (Shot 15). Higher magnification view showing granular disintegration associated with portions of lichen thallus. Scale bar = 20 microns.

Tomato Pan 1 (Shot 12). Cryptoendolithic microorganisms filling pores and growing along grain boundaries c. 500 microns below the surface of a diorite pebble from Tomato Pan. Scale bar = 50 microns.

Tomato Pan 1 (Shot 12). Cryptoendolithic microorganisms filling pores and growing along grain boundaries c. 500 microns below the surface of a diorite pebble from Tomato Pan. Scale bar = 50 microns.


8. Calcite and marble salt weathering experiment

Forthcoming.

9. NMEP samples
6M21. Spherical pollutant particle from combustion on gypsum crust on Portland stone exposure sample from Bolsover. Scale bar = 20 microns.

6M21. Spherical pollutant particle from combustion on gypsum crust on Portland stone exposure sample from Bolsover. Scale bar = 20 microns.

6Y13. Carbonaceous particle from Monks Park limestone exposure sample after 1 year of exposure sheltered from rain at Bolsover. Scale bar = 20 microns.

6Y13. Carbonaceous particle from Monks Park limestone exposure sample after 1 year of exposure sheltered from rain at Bolsover. Scale bar = 20 microns.

28M11. Filaments, blue-green algae etching and gypsum on Portland stone sample exposed at Wells in Somerset. Scale bar = 20 microns.

28M11. Filaments, blue-green algae etching and gypsum on Portland stone sample exposed at Wells in Somerset. Scale bar = 20 microns.


10. Experiments on reaction of limestone/calcite with sulphuric acid to produce gypsum
Gypsum efflorescence on surface of calcite after pre-treatment with 0.1M sulphuric acid for 24 hours. Scale bar = 100 microns.

Gypsum efflorescence on surface of calcite after pre-treatment with 0.1M sulphuric acid for 24 hours. Scale bar = 100 microns.

Gypsum efflorescence on calcite after pre-treatment with 0.1M sulphuric acid for 1 hour. Scale bar = 100 microns.

Gypsum efflorescence on calcite after pre-treatment with 0.1M sulphuric acid for 1 hour. Scale bar = 100 microns.

Etch strips forming on calcite crystal after pre-treatment with 0.05M sulphuric acid for 5 minutes. Scale bar = 20 microns.

Etch strips forming on calcite crystal after pre-treatment with 0.05M sulphuric acid for 5 minutes. Scale bar = 20 microns.


11. Jordan - biofilms and case hardening (dissecting microscope)
Jordan Heads SEM samples 1, 1.2 (b). Cryptoendolithic cyanobacteria growing in case-hardened layer (iron-rich) on sandstone from Al-Quwayra, Jordan.

Jordan Heads SEM samples 1, 1.2 (b). Cryptoendolithic cyanobacteria growing in case-hardened layer (iron-rich) on sandstone from Al-Quwayra, Jordan.

Jordan Site 1, Head 10, 1.2. Cryptoendolithic cyanobacteria growing in case-hardened layer (iron-rich) on sandstone from Al-Quwayra, Jordan.

Jordan Site 1, Head 10, 1.2. Cryptoendolithic cyanobacteria growing in case-hardened layer (iron-rich) on sandstone from Al-Quwayra, Jordan.

Jordan Site 2, Head 27, 1.2. Case hardened, iron-rich layer on sandstone from Al-Quwayra, Jordon.

Jordan Site 2, Head 27, 1.2. Case hardened, iron-rich layer on sandstone from Al-Quwayra, Jordon.


12. Namib Desert 2 years of exposure trials
M9 top inner 3 (Site 3/c). Cracking of marble exposure block affected by salt weathering - coastal salt pan, Namib Desert. Scale bar = 50 microns.

M9 top inner 3 (Site 3/c). Cracking of marble exposure block affected by salt weathering - coastal salt pan, Namib Desert. Scale bar = 50 microns.

M11 top inner (Site 3/c vertical). Top of marble exposure block after 2 years exposure on the surface of a coastal salt pan, Namib Desert. Scale bar = 50 microns.

M11 top inner (Site 3/c vertical). Top of marble exposure block after 2 years exposure on the surface of a coastal salt pan, Namib Desert. Scale bar = 50 microns.

M12 interface inner (Site 3/c vertical). Marble exposure block after 2 years on salt-rich surface, coastal Namib Desert - no obvious signs of weathering. Scale bar = 50 microns.

M12 interface inner (Site 3/c vertical). Marble exposure block after 2 years on salt-rich surface, coastal Namib Desert - no obvious signs of weathering. Scale bar = 50 microns.


3. Datasets

EMITS sensor spectrophotometric datasets

Forthcoming.

EMITS photo archive

The Environmental Monitoring of Integrated Transport Strategies (EMITS) project was established between 1996 and 2001 to monitor the impact of the Oxford Transport Strategy (OTS) on buildings and structures in the city centre of Oxford, England. Exposure trials were set up in Strand 1 of the EMITS project to test for the effect of reduced traffic pollution on stone discs of Bath limestone. Photographic surveys of walls were conducted in Strand 2 of the EMITS project to monitor close-up change in the soiling and decay of walls. Interviews with clerks were also held in Strand 3 to examine the cleaning history of buildings and the cycle of façade soiling/cleaning.

Included in the EMITS Photo Archive are photographs from EMITS Strand 2 taken in the spring of 1997, 1999, and 2003. These were taken at up to 40 different sites at locations with varied levels of traffic congestion and pollution, including Worcester Street, Beaumont Street, St Giles, Broad Street, Catte Street, High Street, Longwall Street, and Jowett Walk (Fig. 1). A longer record of monitoring exists for subsequent photographic surveys taken in 2004 and 2005.

Fig. 1. Map of the study area with locations of 40 sites in the EMITS Strand 2 photographic surveys of walls.

Fig. 1. Map of the study area with locations of 40 sites in the EMITS Strand 2 photographic surveys of walls.

Digital photograph taken at Site 1 (School of Geography and the Environment) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 1 (School of Geography and the Environment) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 2 (School of Geography and the Environment) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 2 (School of Geography and the Environment) in 2003.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 3 (Merton Building) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 3 (Merton Building) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 3 (Merton Building) in 1999.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 3 (Merton Building) in 1999.

Digital photograph taken at Site 3 (Merton Building) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 3 (Merton Building) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 4 (Merton Building) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 4 (Merton Building) in 2003.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 5 (Holywell Cottage) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 5 (Holywell Cottage) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 5 (Holywell Cottage) in 1999.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 5 (Holywell Cottage) in 1999.

Digital photograph taken at Site 5 (Holywell Cottage) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 5 (Holywell Cottage) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 6 (Cottage) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 6 (Cottage) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 7 (Magdalen boundary wall) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 7 (Magdalen boundary wall) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 8 (Magdalen boundary wall) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 8 (Magdalen boundary wall) in 2003.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 9 (Magdalen boundary wall) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 9 (Magdalen boundary wall) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 9 (Magdalen boundary wall) in 1999.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 9 (Magdalen boundary wall) in 1999.

Digital photograph taken at Site 9 (Magdalen boundary wall) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 9 (Magdalen boundary wall) in 2003.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 10 (University College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 10 (University College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 10 (University College) in 1999.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 10 (University College) in 1999.

Digital photograph taken at Site 10 (University College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 10 (University College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 11 (All Souls College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 11 (All Souls College) in 2003.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 12 (University College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 12 (University College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 12 (University College) in 1999.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 12 (University College) in 1999.

Digital photograph taken at Site 12 (University College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 12 (University College) in 2003.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 13 (University College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 13 (University College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 13 (University College) in 1999.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 13 (University College) in 1999.

Digital photograph taken at Site 13 (University College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 13 (University College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 14 (The Queen's College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 14 (The Queen's College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 15 (All Souls College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 15 (All Souls College) in 2003.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 16 (All Souls College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 16 (All Souls College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 16 (All Souls College) in 1999.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 16 (All Souls College) in 1999.

Digital photograph taken at Site 16 (All Souls College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 16 (All Souls College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 17 (Bodleian Library) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 17 (Bodleian Library) in 2003.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 18 (Sheldonian boundary wall) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 18 (Sheldonian boundary wall) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 18 (Sheldonian boundary wall) in 1999.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 18 (Sheldonian boundary wall) in 1999.

Digital photograph taken at Site 18 (Sheldonian boundary wall) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 18 (Sheldonian boundary wall) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 19 (Hertford College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 19 (Hertford College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 20 (History Faculty Library) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 20 (History Faculty Library) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 21 (Sheldonian boundary wall) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 21 (Sheldonian boundary wall) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 22 (New Bodleian Library) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 22 (New Bodleian Library) in 2003.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 23 (Exeter College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 23 (Exeter College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 23 (Exeter College) in 1999.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 23 (Exeter College) in 1999.

Digital photograph taken at Site 23 (Exeter College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 23 (Exeter College) in 2003.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 24 (Balliol College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 24 (Balliol College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 24 (Balliol College) in 1999.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 24 (Balliol College) in 1999.

Digital photograph taken at Site 24 (Balliol College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 24 (Balliol College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 25 (Balliol College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 25 (Balliol College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 26 (No. 30) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 26 (No. 30) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 27 (No. 24) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 27 (No. 24) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 28 (Worcester College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 28 (Worcester College) in 2003.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 29 (Worcester College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 29 (Worcester College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 29 (Worcester College) in 1999.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 29 (Worcester College) in 1999.

Digital photograph taken at Site 29 (Worcester College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 29 (Worcester College) in 2003.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 30 (Worcester College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 30 (Worcester College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 30 (Worcester College) in 1999.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 30 (Worcester College) in 1999.

Digital photograph taken at Site 30 (Worcester College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 30 (Worcester College) in 2003.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 31 (Worcester College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 31 (Worcester College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 31 (Worcester College) in 1999.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 31 (Worcester College) in 1999.

Digital photograph taken at Site 31 (Worcester College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 31 (Worcester College) in 2003.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 32 (Worcester College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 32 (Worcester College) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 32 (Worcester College) in 1999.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 32 (Worcester College) in 1999.

Digital photograph taken at Site 32 (Worcester College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 32 (Worcester College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 34 (Playhouse Theatre) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 34 (Playhouse Theatre) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 35 (Ashmolean Museum) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 35 (Ashmolean Museum) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 36 (Taylorian Institute) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 36 (Taylorian Institute) in 2003.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 37 (Taylorian Institute) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 37 (Taylorian Institute) in 1997.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 37 (Taylorian Institute) in 1999.

Scanned photograph taken at Site 37 (Taylorian Institute) in 1999.

Digital photograph taken at Site 37 (Taylorian Institute) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 37 (Taylorian Institute) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 38 (St Cross College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 38 (St Cross College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 39 (St John's College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 39 (St John's College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 40 (St John's College) in 2003.

Digital photograph taken at Site 40 (St John's College) in 2003.

Namibia 5 years of rock surface temperature data

Forthcoming.