Euendolithic activity of the cyanobacterium Chroococcus lithophilus Erc. In biodeterioration of the Pyramid of Caius Cestius, Rome, Italy

Golubić, Stjepko; Pietrini, Anna Maria; Ricci, Sandra

doi:10.1016/j.ibiod.2015.01.019

Cited by 20 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…euendolith | cyanobacteria | differentiation | carbonate | endolithic C yanobacteria that actively bore into carbonaceous substrates (also known as euendoliths) are a functional class of microbes that contribute to the erosion of marine (1,2) and terrestrial (3) carbonates, both mineral and biogenic. These organisms can affect coral reef ecosystems and constitute a commercially significant pest to bivalve farms (2,4).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Extreme cellular adaptations and cell differentiation required by a cyanobacterium for carbonate excavation

Guida

García-Pichel

2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Some cyanobacteria, known as euendoliths, excavate and grow into calcium carbonates, with their activity leading to significant marine and terrestrial carbonate erosion and to deleterious effects on coral reef and bivalve ecology. Despite their environmental relevance, the mechanisms by which they can bore have remained elusive and paradoxical, in that, as oxygenic phototrophs, cyanobacteria tend to alkalinize their surroundings, which will encourage carbonate precipitation, not dissolution. Therefore, cyanobacteria must rely on unique adaptations to bore. Studies with the filamentous euendolith, Mastigocoleus testarum, indicated that excavation requires both cellular energy and transcellular calcium transport, mediated by P-type ATPases, but the cellular basis for this phenomenon remains obscure. We present evidence that excavation in M. testarum involves two unique cellular adaptations. Long-range calcium transport is based on active pumping at multiple cells along boring filaments, orchestrated by the preferential localization of calcium ATPases at one cell pole, in a ring pattern, facing the cross-walls, and by repeating this placement and polarity, a pattern that breaks at branching and apical cells. In addition, M. testarum differentiates specialized cells we call calcicytes, that which accumulate calcium at concentrations more than 500-fold those found in other cyanobacteria, concomitantly and drastically lowering photosynthetic pigments and enduring severe cytoplasmatic alkalinization. Calcicytes occur commonly, but not exclusively, in apical parts of the filaments distal to the excavation front. We suggest that calcicytes allow for fast calcium flow at low, nontoxic concentrations through undifferentiated cells by providing buffering storage for excess calcium before final excretion to the outside medium.

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confidence: 99%

Extreme cellular adaptations and cell differentiation required by a cyanobacterium for carbonate excavation

Guida

García-Pichel

2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…The analysis of the dataset of about one hundred documents testifies the diffuse colonisation of the Pyramid, with blackening already recognisable in the oldest photographic documentation of the 19th century until the first half of the 20th century. Even if, in polluted environments, blackening phenomena can arise from residues of fossil fuels combustion-as detected on the Caestia Pyramid [42]-most of the blackish patinas and crusts were of biological origin [17,43]. Indeed, black crusts due to pollution phenomena are often detected in those areas protected from the leaching effects of rainfall [1,19,54].…”

Section: Evidence Of the Past Colonisation And Bps On The Pyramid Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In more recent years, a survey was made before the last restoration (carried out in 2013-2014). The marble was colonised by many kinds of organisms, among which microorganisms forming a grey/black crust and including coccoid and filamentous cyanobacteria (genus Gloeocapsa, Chroococcus and Scytonema), and green algae (often lichenised on the surface of the marble), which also displayed endolithic penetration [43]. During the last restoration, diverse cleaning treatments were applied on such bio-patinas [44].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodeterioration Patterns and Their Interpretation for Potential Applications to Stone Conservation: A Hypothesis from Allelopathic Inhibitory Effects of Lichens on the Caestia Pyramid (Rome)

et al. 2020

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The colonisation of stone by different organisms often leaves biodeterioration patterns (BPs) on the surfaces even if their presence is no longer detectable. Peculiar weathering patterns on monuments and rocks, such as pitting phenomena, were recognised as a source of information on past colonisers and environmental conditions. The evident inhibition areas for new bio-patinas observed on the marble blocks of the Caestia Pyramid in Rome, recognisable as tracks of previous colonisations, seem a source for developing new natural products suitable for restoration activities. To hypothesise past occurring communities and species, which gave rise to such BPs, we carried out both in situ observations and analyses of the rich historical available iconography (mainly photographs). Moreover, we analysed literature on the lichen species colonising carbonate stones used in Roman sites. Considering morphology, biochemical properties and historical data on 90 lichen species already reported in Latium archaeological sites, we suppose lichen species belonging to the genus Circinaria (Aspicilia s.l.) to be the main aetiological agent of such peculiar BPs. These results seem relevant to highlight the long-lasting allelopathic properties of some lichen substances potentially applicable as a natural product to control colonisation, improving the environmental and economical sustainability of stone restoration.

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“…The growth of microorganisms (bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae, fungi, and lichens) on lapideous surfaces, as well as aesthetic alteration, can cause an actual deterioration of the stone. The damage is predominantly linked to the production of organic and inorganic acids and to an euendolithic living habitus [2][3][4][5][6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The main adaptations are the production of UV-screening compounds, exopolymeric substances that retain an adequate water content, and constituent compounds of thick cell walls that protect cells against physicochemical hazards [8][9][10][11][12][13]. Black patinas contain microbial communities composed of a wide variety of microorganisms (mainly cyanobacteria, microalgae and rock inhabiting fungi (RIF) [8,11]) in different physiological states, that can live as either epiliths on the rock surfaces or as endoliths (cryptoendoliths, chasmoendoliths or euendoliths) within the substrate [4,6,14,15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of black patina from the Tiber River embankments using Next-Generation Sequencing

et al. 2020

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Black patinas are very common biological deterioration phenomena on lapideous artworks in outdoor environments. These substrates, exposed to sunlight, and atmospheric and environmental agents (i.e. wind and temperature changes), represent extreme environments that can only be colonized by highly versatile and adaptable microorganisms. Black patinas comprise a wide variety of microorganisms, but the morphological plasticity of most of these microorganisms hinders their identification by optical microscopy. This study used Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) (including shotgun and amplicon sequencing) to characterize the black patina of the travertine embankments (muraglioni) of the Tiber River in Rome (Italy). Overall, the sequencing highlighted the rich diversity of bacterial and fungal communities and allowed the identification of more than one hundred taxa. NGS confirmed the relevance of coccoid and filamentous cyanobacteria observed by optical microscopy and revealed an informative landscape of the fungal community underlining the presence of microcolonial fungi and phylloplane yeasts. For the first time high-throughput sequencing allowed the exploration of the expansive diversity of bacteria in black patina, which has so far been overlooked in routine analyses. Furthermore, the identification of euendolithic microorganisms and weathering agents underlines the biodegradative role of black patina, which has often been underestimated. Therefore, the use of NGS to characterize black patinas could be useful in choosing appropriate conservation treatments and in the monitoring of stone colonization after the restoration interventions.

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Euendolithic activity of the cyanobacterium Chroococcus lithophilus Erc. In biodeterioration of the Pyramid of Caius Cestius, Rome, Italy

Cited by 20 publications

References 21 publications

Extreme cellular adaptations and cell differentiation required by a cyanobacterium for carbonate excavation

Extreme cellular adaptations and cell differentiation required by a cyanobacterium for carbonate excavation

Biodeterioration Patterns and Their Interpretation for Potential Applications to Stone Conservation: A Hypothesis from Allelopathic Inhibitory Effects of Lichens on the Caestia Pyramid (Rome)

Characterization of black patina from the Tiber River embankments using Next-Generation Sequencing

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