Microbial communities in weathered sandstones: the case of Carrascosa del Campo church, Spain

Microbially induced deterioration of architectural heritages: routes and mechanisms involved

“…The carbonic acid produced by them as a result of cellular respiration cause damage to stone over an extended period of time. The extraction of mineral cations from the stones by them is well documented [33,60,61,70]. There are literatures that had also showed the ability of mosses (Grimmia pulvinata (Hedw.)…”

“…Their growth on stone surface can alter it severely by the excreting inorganic and organic acids as a result of their own metabolism. These metabolically generated organic acids (like oxalic acid and citric acid) have chelating properties by which it weaken the metaloxygen bond, increases the solubility of some metals and forms complexes with the mineral cations present on the surface matrix [45,49,60,61]. Intrusion of fungal hyphae along the crystal plane by some fungi is known to destabilize the stone texture resulting in its mechanical deterioration ([100]; Gadd 2005).…”

Biodiversity on Stone Artifacts

“…At more advanced stage of stone colonization, the bryophyte communities and vascular plants can develop (Warscheid & Braams 2000). An important role for their growing is the presence of a protosoil (Gómez-Alarcón et al, 1995a), which is favoured by previously colonizations (cell debris) and by airborne particles retained on biofilms or accumulated in cracks or holes. Biofilms occur on all solid surfaces in habitats where exists a constant availability of moisture.…”

Photo-dynamic biocidal action of methylene blue and hydrogen peroxide on the cyanobacterium Synechococcus leopoliensis under visible light irradiation

“…Progress has also been made on the analysis and treatment of detrimental biofilms [1,2]. One factor influencing this progress is the awareness that damage of stonework occurs via biologically and chemically initiated reactions [3].…”