Biodeterioration of Stone Monuments a Worldwide Issue

Abstract

Abstract:The biodegradation is a general action strictly linked in the presence of active organisms, and this is not only unavoidable but it represents a fundamental process of the Biosphere. When this process is acting on « valuable » objects, is named as Biodeterioration. The consequences surely produce a worse condition, and this process is particularly unfavourable when the object belongs to the Cultural Heritage field. Climatic factors (temperature, humidity, rain, sun exposure, and air pollutants) can establish good conditions for the development of several organisms on the surfaces, inducing first of all aesthetic damages (vegetative structures, coloured patches or patinas and crusts). Different approaches have been adopted to isolate, identify and quantify such wide group of organisms, and several methodologies and products have been used to eliminate and prevent such biological settlements. However, this field needs to subdue the sector of the qualification and to emphasise the quantification of such phenomenon. Furthermore, we have to consider this as one factor in a more general theory of Biogeomorphogenesis. A model describing the concept of stone durability, involving the Biodeterioration process, is proposed. The data of the selected parameters coming from different dominions could be integrated and elaborated in a new relational database MDDM (Management of Dynamic Durability Model). The exact knowledge of the resistance of a monumental object is crucial for a suitable schedule maintenance. Taking into consideration that the process can never be stopped but only slowed down to a minimum with balanced prevention and intervention actions.Keywords: Biodeterioration, Biogeomorphogenesis, Conceptual model, Stone durability. PROBLEMATICThe biodeterioration of monumental heritage is a worldwide phenomenon. The most severe effects are found in tropical areas where the climate is extremely favourable to the growth of higher plants that can cover and destroy even big artistic monuments. The process is mainly due to centennial years of lack of maintenance, as smaller plants must be eradicated as soon as they grow. In our countries, such kind of degradation is very uncommon and limited to monuments abandoned since several years or part of them with difficulty of access. Most investigation in this field emphasised the study of microorganisms that produce stained patches or coloured crusts on the surface of stones. These microorganisms play a key role in many biogeochemical processes and can adapt themselves to extremely various environments. Modern conservation strategies underline the need to know and understand the structure and function of complex microbial communities that cause biodeterioration of materials that constitute our cultural heritage. Until recently, the detection and identification of microorganisms inhabiting cultural objects were based only on classical cultural methodologies derived from soil microbiology. These are very simple and provide information only on organisms capable of growth und...

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