Most know the Statue of Liberty is made from copper and due to the salt water in NY harbor, had been "rusting" away, giving it it's green look. When the US accepted it in the 1800s, did they know that would happen? If so, did they just assume it would eventually rot and dissolve into the ocean?

by Rowsdower32

shackleton__

The formation of a green patina is a natural feature of copper and has been well-known since the use of copper in antiquity. It forms a protective layer over the material and actually prevents it from degrading, and does not require exposure to seawater in order to occur. You may be interested in this response by /u/Georgy_K_Zhukov.