Cleaning and conservation: recent successes and challenges

Ormsby, Bronwyn; Bartoletti, Angelica; van den Berg, Klaas Jan; Stavroudis, Chris

doi:10.1186/s40494-023-01113-0

Herit Sci

2024

DOI: 10.1186/s40494-023-01113-0

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Cleaning and conservation: recent successes and challenges

Bronwyn Ormsby,

Angelica Bartoletti,

Klaas Jan van den Berg

et al.

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2024

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Cited by 4 publications

References 17 publications

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Microblasting with vegetable and cellulosic media for heritage wood cleaning: effects on surface morphology

Iglesias-Campos,

Pitarch Martí,

Nualart-Torroja

et al. 2024

Herit Sci

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In this research, microblasting with powdered vegetable particles (almond and hazelnut husks, cork saw dust and rice husks) and cellulosic fibres was used to analyse their usefulness for cleaning unpainted wooden cultural heritage and their effects on surface morphology. Tests were made on mock-ups of old pine wood from wooden boards with original soiling. Before cleaning powdered particles were characterised by SEM–EDS to analyse their morphology and elemental composition. Wood surfaces were analysed before and after cleaning by means of digital microscope (white and UV light) and SEM–EDS to evaluate cleaning effectiveness, assess effects on the wood surface, and determine eventual soiling and powdered particles larger than 1 µm that might remain in the surface after the procedure. Results indicate that microblasting with powdered vegetable and cellulosic media is a useful and safe technique to remove soiling from wood, including micrometric particles embedded in its texture, with negligible surface changes. Furthermore, residues left after the cleaning procedure are very scarce and chemically compatible with the substrate because they are mainly composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, the main components of wood.

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Microblasting with vegetable and cellulosic media for heritage wood cleaning: effects on surface morphology

Iglesias-Campos,

Pitarch Martí,

Nualart-Torroja

et al. 2024

Herit Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Spectral- and Image-Based Metrics for Evaluating Cleaning Tests on Unvarnished Painted Surfaces

Cutajar,

Steindal,

Caruso

et al. 2024

Coatings

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Despite advances in conservation–restoration treatments, most surface cleaning tests are subjectively evaluated. Scores according to qualitative criteria are employed to assess results, but these can vary by user and context. This paper presents a range of cleaning efficacy and homogeneity evaluation metrics for appraising cleaning trials, which minimise user bias by measuring quantifiable changes in the appearance and characteristic spectral properties of surfaces. The metrics are based on various imaging techniques (optical imaging by photography using visible light (VIS); spectral imaging in the visible-to-near-infrared (VNIR) and shortwave infrared (SWIR) ranges; chemical imaging by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral mapping in the mid-infrared (MIR) range; and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) element mapping). They are complemented by appearance measurements (glossimetry and colourimetry). As a case study showcasing the low-cost to high-end metrics, agar gel spray cleaning tests on exposed ground and unvarnished oil paint mock-ups are reported. The evaluation metrics indicated that spraying agar (prepared with citric acid in ammonium hydroxide) at a surface-tailored pH was as a safe candidate for efficacious and homogenous soiling removal on water-sensitive oil paint and protein-bound ground. Further research is required to identify a gel-based cleaning system for oil-bound grounds.

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The Role of Bacteria in Pink Stone Discoloration: Insights from Batalha Monastery

Silva,

Salvador,

Miller

et al. 2024

Micro

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The colonization of historical buildings and monuments by fungi, algae, and bacteria is a common phenomenon. This often leads to deterioration processes that cause either visual or structural harm. The Batalha Monastery in Portugal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, currently shows significant surface changes to the stone architectural elements within both the Founder’s Chapel and the church, including a widespread pink discoloration on the walls and columns. The main goal of this study was to analyze the biological colonization and assess the influence of bacterial communities on the biodeterioration of Ançã limestone, providing valuable insights to help conservators and restorers select the best preservation strategies for the monastery. The prokaryote population was characterized using both high-throughput DNA sequencing and culture-dependent methods and several orange-pink pigment-producing bacteria were identified, for example, Bacillus, Gordonia, Serratia and Methylobacterium, as well as Halalkalicoccus, an abundant archaeal genus. The pink discoloration observed could be due to biofilms created by bacteria that produce pigments, namely carotenoids. Biocolonization tests were performed using stone mock-ups, which were prepared and inoculated with the bacteria isolated in this study. These tests were designed to replicate the natural conditions of the monastery and monitor the colonization process to understand the discoloration phenomenon.

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Cleaning and conservation: recent successes and challenges

Cited by 4 publications

References 17 publications

Microblasting with vegetable and cellulosic media for heritage wood cleaning: effects on surface morphology

Microblasting with vegetable and cellulosic media for heritage wood cleaning: effects on surface morphology

Spectral- and Image-Based Metrics for Evaluating Cleaning Tests on Unvarnished Painted Surfaces

The Role of Bacteria in Pink Stone Discoloration: Insights from Batalha Monastery

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