Cyanobacteria and Biodeterioration of Cultural Heritage: A Review

Crispim, Cézar Augusto; Gaylarde, Christine C.

doi:10.1007/s00248-003-1052-5

Cited by 250 publications

(127 citation statements)

References 81 publications

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“…Sewer systems made of concrete can be severely damaged by microorganisms such as Acidothiobacilli spp., which produce sulfuric acids that react with the calcitic binding material of the concrete (Crispim and Gaylarde, 2005). …”

Section: Stone and Concrete Corrosionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The dual role of microbes in corrosion

2014

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Corrosion is the result of a series of chemical, physical and (micro) biological processes leading to the deterioration of materials such as steel and stone. It is a world-wide problem with great societal and economic consequences. Current corrosion control strategies based on chemically produced products are under increasing pressure of stringent environmental regulations. Furthermore, they are rather inefficient. Therefore, there is an urgent need for environmentally friendly and sustainable corrosion control strategies. The mechanisms of microbially influenced corrosion and microbially influenced corrosion inhibition are not completely understood, because they cannot be linked to a single biochemical reaction or specific microbial species or groups. Corrosion is influenced by the complex processes of different microorganisms performing different electrochemical reactions and secreting proteins and metabolites that can have secondary effects. Information on the identity and role of microbial communities that are related to corrosion and corrosion inhibition in different materials and in different environments is scarce. As some microorganisms are able to both cause and inhibit corrosion, we pay particular interest to their potential role as corrosion-controlling agents. We show interesting interfaces in which scientists from different disciplines such as microbiology, engineering and art conservation can collaborate to find solutions to the problems caused by corrosion.

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Section: Stone and Concrete Corrosionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The dual role of microbes in corrosion

2014

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“…: on stone substrates and under a water layer. The colonization of external surfaces of buildings, monuments and archaeological sites by microorganisms creates an unaesthetically appearance of staining of the stone surfaces [10,11]. It produces also extracellular polymeric substances that cause mechanical stresses to the mineral structure inside the pore system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A fluid dynamics model of the growth of phototrophic biofilms

et al. 2012

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ABSTRACT. A system of nonlinear hyperbolic partial differential equations is derived using mixture theory to model the formation of biofilms. In contrast with most of the existing models, our equations have a finite speed of propagation, without using artificial free boundary conditions. Adapted numerical scheme will be described in detail and several simulations will be presented in one and more space dimensions in the particular case of cyanobacteria biofilms. Besides, the numerical scheme we present is able to deal in a natural and effective way with regions where one of the phases is vanishing. Fluid dynamics model and Hyperbolic equations and Phototrophic biofilms and Front propagation AMS : 92C17, 35L50, 65M06.

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“…These microorganisms have an important role in the disfigurement of monuments and stone works of art (Figs 1 and 5). Moreover, there are several references in the literature that point to direct decay mechanisms caused by these photosynthetic micro-organisms (Anagnostidis et al, 1991;Griffin et al, 1991;Krumbein & Urzì, 1991;Ortega-Calvo et al, 1992, 1993bWakefield & Jones, 1998;Saiz-Jimenez, 1999;Warscheid & Braams, 2000;Crispim & Gaylarde, 2005;Zurita et al, 2005). In fact, cyanobacteria and green algae living in rocks can enhance soil formation and water retention.…”

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confidence: 99%

Biodiversity of cyanobacteria and green algae on monuments in the Mediterranean Basin: an overview

Macedo

Miller

Dionísio³

et al. 2009

Microbiology

236

130

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The presence and deteriorating action of micro-organisms on monuments and stone works of art have received considerable attention in the last few years. Knowledge of the microbial populations living on stone materials is the starting point for successful conservation treatment and control. This paper reviews the literature on cyanobacteria and chlorophyta that cause deterioration of stone cultural heritage (outdoor monuments and stone works of art) in European countries of the Mediterranean Basin. Some 45 case studies from 32 scientific papers published between 1976 and 2009 were analysed. Six lithotypes were considered: marble, limestone, travertine, dolomite, sandstone and granite. A wide range of stone monuments in the Mediterranean Basin support considerable colonization of cyanobacteria and chlorophyta, showing notable biodiversity. About 172 taxa have been described by different authors, including 37 genera of cyanobacteria and 48 genera of chlorophyta. The most widespread and commonly reported taxa on the stone cultural heritage in the Mediterranean Basin are, among cyanobacteria, Gloeocapsa, Phormidium and Chroococcus and, among chlorophyta, Chlorella, Stichococcus and Chlorococcum. The results suggest that cyanobacteria and chlorophyta colonize a wide variety of substrata and that this is related primarily to the physical characteristics of the stone surface, microclimate and environmental conditions and secondarily to the lithotype. IntroductionStone monuments, statues and historic buildings are exposed to the effects of physical, chemical and biological deteriorating factors. This review will focus on the damage caused by micro-organisms, in a process referred to as biodeterioration. Stone works of art can be colonized by different groups of micro-organisms, including bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae and fungi. Microbial populations present in a stone substratum are usually the result of successive colonization by different micro-organisms that has taken place over several years. It is a process that relies upon the capacity of a substratum to provide a protective niche on which micro-organisms can develop. According to several authors, cyanobacteria and chlorophyta (green algae) are considered the pioneering inhabitants in the colonization of stone (Ortega-Calvo et al., 1991;Tiano et al., 1995; Cecchi et al., 2000;Lamenti et al., 2000;Tomaselli et al., 2000b;Crispim & Gaylarde, 2005). Due to their photoautotrophic nature, these micro-organisms develop easily on stone surfaces, giving rise to coloured patinas and incrustations ( Fig. 1) (Tomaselli et al., 2000b). Identifying the micro-organisms involved in biodeterioration is one of the most important steps in the study of the microbial ecology of monumental stones. It can help us to understand the microbial biodiversity, the phases of colonization and the relationship among populations on the surfaces and between micro-organisms and substrata.Here we review the occurrence of cyanobacteria and green algae identified on stone monuments, statues and histo...

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Cyanobacteria and Biodeterioration of Cultural Heritage: A Review

Cited by 250 publications

References 81 publications

The dual role of microbes in corrosion

The dual role of microbes in corrosion

A fluid dynamics model of the growth of phototrophic biofilms

Biodiversity of cyanobacteria and green algae on monuments in the Mediterranean Basin: an overview

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