Geochemical-Microscopical Characterization of the Deterioration of Stone Surfaces in the Cloister of Santa Maria in Vado (Ferrara, Italy)

Abstract

Santa Maria in Vado is a monument in the rich artistic heritage of the city of Ferrara (north of Italy). In this paper we want to investigate the state of conservation of tombstones, cloister and the entrance to the basilica, in order to keep them in the best possible state for the future generations. From the chemical characterization, the state of conservation was determined focusing on the biodeteriogenic and non-biodeteriogenic factors, which determine a series of unwanted changes in the physical, mechanical and above all aesthetic properties of the material, often closely connected with the environment and conservation conditions. On the macroscopic observation, the state of conservation of the tombstones appeared to be very deteriorated through aesthetic and structural damage. In detail, the stereo microscope observation of samples collected from the tombstones show the presence of efflorescence probably caused by the abundant of water that bring the salts present inside the rock into solution. Relating the columns, μ-XRF analysis confirm the carbonate composition of samples and presence of iron and sulfur. Finally, SEM observation highlighted the presence of black crust on arch samples and the presence of pollen on the black crust and spheroidal particles probably related to atmospheric pollution.

Contribution of Geosciences to Cultural Heritage Conservation Assessment: The Case Study of the Loggiato dei Cappuccini in Comacchio (Italy)

“…The optical stereomicroscope (90× total magnification) equipped with MOTICAM 2500 5.0 M pixel webcam using the Motic Images Plus 2.0 ML software was used for reflected light observation on all the samples to define their structural aspect (grain size and texture), clasts dimensional, and morphological aspect of their state of conservation [35]. In this specific work, OTLPM provided information about the quality of the work to produce the mortar [36,37].…”

“…The iso-distribution of conductivity highlighted an anomalous area in correspondence with the gap in the plaster (colored in red in Figure 5 to be compared with Figure 4), which indicated that the finishing layers created a barrier to humidity (colored in green in Figure 5). 2500 5.0 M pixel webcam using the Motic Images Plus 2.0 ML software was used fo flected light observation on all the samples to define their structural aspect (grain size texture), clasts dimensional, and morphological aspect of their state of conservation In this specific work, OTLPM provided information about the quality of the work to duce the mortar [36,37].…”

Comparative Study of <span aria-describedby="tippy-20">Deterioration in Built Heritage in a Coastal Area: Barbanza Peninsula (Galicia, NW of Spain)

“…2 abundant in the last 30 year focused on the characterization of materials and deterioration processes regarding the lithology, decay mechanisms, causes and restoration procedures [7,8,9,10,11,12].…”