Analysis of Biodeteriogens on Architectural Heritage. An Approach of Applied Botany on a Gothic Building in Southern Italy

Abstract

The degradation of stone materials depends on several interlinked factors. The effects caused by biodeteriogens on mineral-based substrates are now increasingly considered in the field of cultural heritage conservation from different experimental approaches. In this study, biodeteriogenic micro- and macroflora within the gothic building of Santa Maria della Pietà, Squillace, Calabria, have been analyzed using multiple approaches, such as optical microscopy and molecular techniques. All 17 plant species detected are usually widespread in Mediterranean regions and some of these, such as Ailanthus altissima and Ficus carica, showed a very high hazard index, which is potentially dangerous for masonry stability. Fungi, cyanobacteria, and green algae were identified within biofilm compositions in a total of 23 different taxa, showing many similarities with microbial associations commonly found in cave and hypogean environments. All of the 11 fungal taxa detected belong to Ascomycota phylum, with Penicillium as the most represented genus. Photoautotrophic organisms are mostly represented by filamentous genera, with widespread presence of Leptolyngbya as the most abundant genus. The results highlighted how the singular environmental conditions of the study site, combined with the architectural features and the building materials, determined all the degradation phenomena affecting the building’s internal surfaces, compromising over time the structural integrity.

Circumfusicillium cavernae gen. et sp. nov. (Bionectriaceae, Hypocreales) Isolated from a Hypogean Roman Cryptoporticus

“…clustered with the sequences generated in this study. Since these microorganisms/sequences have been found associated with cave and other monument biodeterioration scenarios [ 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ], these results further highlight Circumfusicillium ecology and putative geographical distribution ( Figure 4 ).…”

“…The cultivation of fungi is thus particularly important, as it also allows the description of previously unknown taxa that can be further studied, taking into account the specific biodeterioration context where they were found. Although their hypothetical contribution to stone biodeterioration processes remains largely unknown, Bionectriaceae members have also been found in other European caves and cultural heritage biodeterioration scenarios (e.g., [ 37 , 38 , 39 ]) and, for example, Bionectria ochroleuca was found to be able of in vitro calcite and whewellite mineralization [ 44 ].…”

“…Complementarily, it can also be verified that these microorganisms have been constantly found to be associated to either caves or cultural heritage stone monuments biodeterioration scenarios, highlighting a peculiar and specific ecological characteristic for this genus. Thus far, Circumfusicillium has been detected in the Roman cryptoporticus of Coimbra (Portugal); in the Roman Necropolis of Carmona (Spain); in the Andalusian cave Cueva del Tesoro (Spain); in the Dordogne Paleolithic rock art site (France); and in the Gothic building of Santa Maria della Piet (Italy) [ 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ].…”

Risk assessment of fungal formations in historic buildings based on dynamic thermo-hygrometric analysis

“…Penicillium corylophilum [84] Penicillium palitans [84] Penicillium sumatrense [83] Purpureocillium In DesignBuilder, a test model consisting of a block of dimensions 6mx6m, with 30 cm thick walls, was considered. The south wall includes a windowed area with a 25% WWR (Window-to-Wall Ratio).…”

In-Situ Comparative Study of Eucalyptus, Basil, Cloves, Thyme, Pine Tree, and Tea Tree Essential Oil Biocide Efficacy

“…Bio-colonization is one of the main problems affecting the cultural heritage sector [ 1 ]. This phenomenon takes place on structures exposed to an environment characterized by specific local conditions, such as high moisture, high salinity, and abundance of organic nutrients [ 2 , 3 ]. According to the colonizing organisms and the characteristics of the interested area (surfaces, cracks, or pores), the entity of the damage changes, thus varying from exterior damage to irreversible disintegration of the inner substrate [ 4 ].…”