The biodeterioration of stone: a review of deterioration mechanisms, conservation case histories, and treatment

Griffin, P.S.; Indictor, N.; Koestler, Robert J.

doi:10.1016/0265-3036(91)90042-p

Cited by 146 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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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.…”

Section: Biodeterioration Of Stonementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The process, known as biocorrosion, involves the release of organic acids which can etch or solubilize stone, the exudation of organic chelating agents which sequester metallic cations from stone, or the conversion of inorganic substances by redox reactions which form acids that etch stone and contribute to salt formation (Griffin et al, 1991;Fernandes, 2006). For instance, aerobic micro-organisms produce respiratory carbon dioxide which becomes carbonic acid and contributes to dissolution of stone and soluble salt formation (Griffin et al, 1991;Wakefield & Jones, 1998). The precipitation of calcium salts on cyanobacterial cells growing on limestone suggests the migration of calcium from neighbouring sites ( Fig.…”

Section: Biodeterioration Of Stonementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, the production of organic acids such as lactic, oxalic, succinic, acetic, glycolic and pyruvic has been found and associated with the dissolution of calcite in calcareous stones (Danin & Caneva, 1990;Caneva et al, 1992). Endolithic photosynthetic micro-organisms actively dissolve carbonates to enable penetration into the stone, enhancing stone porosity (Griffin et al, 1991;Fernandes, 2006). Furthermore, the slimy surfaces of microbial biofilms favour the adherence of airborne particles (dust, pollen, spores, carbonaceous particles from combustion of oil and coal), giving rise to hard crusts and patinas (Saiz-Jimenez, 1999).…”

Section: Biodeterioration Of Stonementioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

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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Section: Biodeterioration Of Stonementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Biodeterioration Of Stonementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Biodeterioration Of Stonementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

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

Macedo

Miller

Dionísio³

et al. 2009

Microbiology

236

130

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…But due to exposure to various environmental deterioration factors, it is easily affected and prone to degradation phenomena, aesthetic, and functional. Historical limestone artifacts suffer various forms of degradation, the most common being: detachment of plaster or masonry substrates, wall decorations, cracks in the substrate, migration and crystallization of salts on stone surface, air pollution in the presence of humidity and temperature variations, and the action of microorganisms that thrive the microclimatic conditions of humidity, temperature, light and air pollution, that cause diverse deterioration aspects such as granular disintegration, exfoliation, erosion, deformation, efflorescence, discoloration, and finally loss of the monuments which were carved or constructed from this stone [3][4][5][6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance of Clay, SiO2, Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3 - Polymeric Nanocomposites for Conservation and Preservation of Limestone Artworks

Aldoasri¹,

Darwish²,

Adam³

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Environmental deterioration factors are constantly increasing, causing unwanted aesthetic changes to stone artworks due to exposure to various physical and chemical deterioration factors. Inorganic nanoparticlefilled polymer composites have extended their multiple functionalities to various applications, including cultural heritage conservation. Therefore, this study has examined the effects of clay, SiO2, Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3 nanomaterials in the enhancement of the physicomechanical properties of limestone monuments, the aim of the present work being to evaluate comparatively the effectiveness of nanoparticles as consolidation and protection material for limestone artworks. The nanoparticles were added to an acrylic-based copolymer (polyethylmethacrylate (EMA)/methylacrylate (MA) (70/30), in order to improve its physiochemical and mechanical properties, and produced a significant improvement in the ability of the polymers to consolidate and protect the stone. The synthesis process of nanoparticles/polymer nanocomposite has been prepared by an in situ emulsion polymerization system. The nanocomposites contained poly (EMA/MA) with a solid content of 3% [poly (EMA/MA)] in the absence and presence of 5% nanoparticles (0.15 g nanoparticles). Samples were subjected to artificial aging by relative humidity/temperature and acid/salt crystallization weathering to show the optimum conditions of durability and the effectiveness of the nano-mixture in improving the physical and mechanical properties of the stone material. To ensure that the treatment had no negative effects on the physical characteristics of the limestone, the properties of the treated limestone samples were evaluated comparatively before and after artificial aging by the conduct of microstructural (phase morphology studied by means of scanning electron microscopy) and aesthetic (colour and lightness measured by spectrophotometry) analyses. Also used were measurement of static contact angle of water droplets on the surface of the samples, total immersion water absorption, compressive Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 7

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“…These alterations are caused by the production of organic acids, which can corrode limestone and negatively affect the aesthetic impact of cave speleothems (Aley, 2004;Smith and Olson, 2007). As a result, modern research has focused on the substratum bio-deterioration by the 'Lampenflora' and on cleaning treatments and restoration projects of hypogean monuments (Caumartin, 1977;Griffin et al, 1991;Iliopoulou-Georgoudaki et al, 1993;Gurnee, 1994;Pantazidou, 1996;Dor and Dor 1999;Grobbelaar, 2000;Byoung-woo, 2002;Olson, 2002;Faimon et al, 2003;Merdenisianos, 2005;Roldán et al, 2006;Albertano et al, 2007;Mulec and Kosi, 2009;Akatova et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The show cave of Diros vs. wild caves of Peloponnese, Greece - distribution patterns of Cyanobacteria

Lamprinou¹,

Danielidis²,

Pantazidou³

et al. 2014

IJS

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The biodeterioration of stone: a review of deterioration mechanisms, conservation case histories, and treatment

Cited by 146 publications

References 24 publications

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

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

Performance of Clay, SiO<sub>2</sub>, Ca(OH)<sub>2 </sub>and CaCO<sub>3</sub> - Polymeric Nanocomposites for Conservation and Preservation of Limestone Artworks

The show cave of Diros vs. wild caves of Peloponnese, Greece - distribution patterns of Cyanobacteria

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