Bacterial carbonate precipitation is known to be a natural phenomenon associated with a wide range of bacterial species. Recently, the ability of bacteria to produce carbonates has been studied for its value in the conservation of limestone monuments and concrete. This paper describes investigations of carbonate crystals precipitated by freshwater bacteria by means of histological (Loeffler's methylene blue and alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff stain) and fluorescence (CTC [5-cyano-2,3-ditolyl tetrazolium chloride]) stains, determination of cell viability inside carbonate crystals, and pore size reduction in limestone by image analysis. Carbonate crystals were found to be composed of bacteria embedded in a matrix of neutral and acid polysaccharides. Cell viability inside the carbonate crystals decreased with time. On stone, bacteria were found to form carbonate crystals, with only a few bacteria remaining as isolated cells or as cell aggregates. Pore size was reduced by about 50%, but no blockage was detected. Taken together, the results of this research provide some reassurance to conservators that biocalcification by bacteria could be a safe consolidation tool in a restoration strategy for building stone conservation.

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Weathering rates were calculated using the height difference between lead lettering and marble on gravestones at three sites in the UK. Comparison of their regression lines and residuals suggested that two of the sites, Portsmouth and Wolverhampton, had similar amounts and rates of weathering over the last 100-150 years. Gravestones in Swansea appear to have weathered much more and much faster than gravestones at the other two sites. These differences may be the result of the differing pollution and rainfall histories of the three sites.

Traditionally, landforms have been measured using a combination of field survey techniques and analogue and analytical photogrammetry. With advances in computing power digital photogrammetric solutions are now seen as offering an affordable and cost effective way of mapping topographic features. This paper looks at the relative merits of each of these photogrammetric techniques, in terms of the practical considerations involved in data extraction and accuracies that can be achieved for a case study. The site investigated is Maiden Castle, situated southwest of Dorchester in Dorset, UK. This paper examines the relative accuracies of both digital and analytical photogrammetric techniques in relation to ground control points recorded using a global positioning system (GPS). Colour stereoscopic aerial photographs were taken of Maiden Castle, Dorset, in November 1999 at a scale of approximately 1 : 4000. Stereo models were constructed using pre-marked ground control points positioned using post-processed differential GPS. Subsequent analysis involved the calculation of residual values produced by comparing the computer-generated surface with a set of test points measured using differential GPS. This research demonstrates that the optimal digital system matched the performance of analytical photogrammetry for the collection of geomorphological data.