Biodeterioration of the Lions Fountain at the Alhambra Palace, Granada (Spain)

Sarró, M. Isabel; García, Ana M. García; Rivalta, Víctor M.; Moreno, Diego A.; Arroyo, Irene

doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2005.07.029

Cited by 34 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…One example of this process is the penetration of the filaments of some endolithic species (certain algae and filamentous cyanobacteria) in the cracks in the substrate. The absorption of water and the cellular growth of these organisms exert pressure on the structure, which leads to the detachment and peeling of the surface layers of the substrate (Krumbein, 1988;Danin & Caneva, 1990;Bolívar & Sánchez-Castillo, 1997;Asencio & Aboal, 2001;Peraza-Zurita et al, 2005;Sarró et al, 2006). The extracellular matrix (EPS) may also play a role in biodeterioration, generating an additional physical chemical stress due to the processes of hydration or dessication (Dornieden et al, 2000;Warscheid & Braams, 2000;Perry et al, 2004;Borderie et al, 2014a).…”

Section: Problems Generated By Lampenfloramentioning

confidence: 99%

The lampenflora in show caves and its treatment: an emerging ecological problem

Estévez¹,

Moreno-Merino²,

Román³

et al. 2019

IJS

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The artificial lighting of caves adapted for touristic visits, leads to the appearance and propagation of a complex community of phototrophic organisms known as "lampenflora". Formed mainly by algae and cyanobacteria, they produce the degradation of the colonized substrates and decrease the show value of the caves. This phenomenon became famous worldwide in the 1960s due to the damage caused to the paintings in the Lascaux Cave (France). Since then it has become an issue of serious concern to both managers of show caves and to the international scientific community. Over time, the problem has been approached following two complementary strategies: preventing colonization by the invading organisms or eliminating them once they have become established through the use of chemical products, mainly biocides and strong oxidants. This kind of treatment generates pollutant effluents that can move the problem from the walls of the caves to the groundwater. This paper presents a critical literature review of the problem and the proposed solutions, and emphasizes the need for further study of the optimal doses of treatment chemicals and to develop quantitative methods to determine their effectiveness. . The lampenflora in show caves and its treatment: an emerging ecological problem.

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Section: Problems Generated By Lampenfloramentioning

confidence: 99%

The lampenflora in show caves and its treatment: an emerging ecological problem

Estévez¹,

Moreno-Merino²,

Román³

et al. 2019

IJS

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“…Generally, for outdoor Fountains, the biodeterioration is mainly induced by microalgae and cyanobacteria [4], but other biological agents such as bacteria, fungi, mosses, and lichens were frequently revealed [5,6]. Moreover, the biological colonization is enhanced by the occurrence of water that cooperate in deterioration processes [7], acting mechanically and chemically, producing visible effects on stonework surface (cracking, detachment, crusts formation, and chromatic alterations) allowing to structural damage and loss of material [8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biotechnology and Cultural Heritage Conservation

Palla¹

2020

Heritage

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The deterioration of cultural asset is induced by biological, chemical, and physical factors, influenced by anthropogenic activity and environmental conditions. In this study, the contribution of biotechnology is emphasized to define the conservation strategy, for a marble Fountain (Two Dragons, XV century) located in Palermo city center, based on an integrated approach and eco-friendly procedures. Biotechnological protocols are preliminarily applied as an integrated approach, based on microscopy observation, in vitro culture and genomic DNA analysis to recognize and characterize microbial communities. Several biological systems have been identified: green algae (Chlorella) and cyanobacteria (Cyanobium, Oscillatoria); bacteria (Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Micrococcus, Paracoccus); fungi (Alternaria, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Phoma, Fusarium, Cladosporium). In order to address biological colonization, the commercial Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and laboratory-distilled (Calamintha nepeta and Allium sativum) EOs, have been assayed by in vitro Agar disc diffusion, Well-plates diffusion, and Micro-dilution methods; the result allows to define the most appropriate EOs concentration to use. In a green conservation prospective, this study highlighted that EOs can potentially replace the traditional biocides, but the activity must be preliminary evaluated by centring the choose specifically on each microbial taxon identified.

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“…The survival of bacteria inside the carbonate crystal could have serious implications for the use of bacterial calcification as a method of consolidation in conservation, because it has already been demonstrated that uncontrolled bacterial growth can damage stone (38,42,57,61,64). However, the controlled action of bacteria has been demonstrated to be potentially useful in the restoration of art works (14,33,44,45,46,47).…”

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confidence: 99%

Carbonate Crystals Precipitated by Freshwater Bacteria and Their Use as a Limestone Consolidant

Zamarreno

Inkpen

May

2009

Appl Environ Microbiol

118

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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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Biodeterioration of the Lions Fountain at the Alhambra Palace, Granada (Spain)

Cited by 34 publications

References 23 publications

The lampenflora in show caves and its treatment: an emerging ecological problem

The lampenflora in show caves and its treatment: an emerging ecological problem

Biotechnology and Cultural Heritage Conservation

Carbonate Crystals Precipitated by Freshwater Bacteria and Their Use as a Limestone Consolidant

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