INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO MITIGATE CLIMATE IMPACT IN BUILT ENVIRONMENTS: LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS OF SALT CRYSTALLISATION IN CULTURE AND HERITAGE CONSERVATION

Abstract

Salt crystallization is one of the major causes of deterioration in heritage buildings, affecting both structural integrity and aesthetic value. This study investigates the occurrence and mitigation of salt crystallization in Sekolah Kebangsaan King Edward VII (1), a heritage building located in Taiping, Perak, Malaysia, a town commonly known as the “Rain Town” due to its exceptionally high annual rainfall and humid tropical climate. The study aims to identify the types and concentrations of soluble salts present in the building materials, assess their potential impacts on building deterioration, and evaluate the effectiveness of a poultice-based desalination treatment. Five masonry samples were collected from areas exhibiting visible signs of salt-related deterioration and analysed using ion chromatography (IC) before and after treatment. The results revealed significant concentrations of chloride, nitrate, and sulphate ions, which are known to contribute to efflorescence, spalling, cracking, and material degradation. The findings further indicate that persistent moisture ingress and repeated wetting-drying cycles facilitate salt dissolution, transport, and subsequent crystallization within porous building materials. Following the desalination treatment, the total soluble salt concentration was reduced from 36.204% to 0.237%, demonstrating a substantial reduction in salt contamination. Although the study is limited to a single heritage building and a relatively small sample size, the findings provide valuable insights into salt deterioration mechanisms and conservation challenges in tropical heritage environments. The research highlights the importance of integrating desalination treatment, moisture management, and long-term monitoring as part of sustainable heritage conservation strategies.