The Taj Mahal’s iconic marble dome and soaring minarets require regular cleaning to maintain their dazzling appearance, and scientists now know why.
Researchers from the U.S. and India are pointing the finger at airborne carbon particles and dust for giving the gleaming white landmark a brownish cast.
“Our team was able to show that the pollutants discoloring the Taj Mahal are particulate matter: carbon from burning biomass and refuse, fossil fuels, and dust — possibly from agriculture and road traffic,” said Michael Bergin, a professor in the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.
Knowing the culprits causing the discoloration is just the first step in cleaning up the Taj Mahal.
