Phototrophic biodeteriogens on lithoid surfaces: An ecological study

Abstract

For two strains, the green alga Pleurococcus CVB4 and the cyanobacterium Lyngbya CCB2, isolated from the pioneering algal biocoenosis present on a marble statue, we determined the optimum range of growth in selective cultural media in relation to pH, light intensity, and temperature, together with the ability of these organisms to colonize stone surfaces that differed either in the structure-texture or in the physico-chemical composition of the various lithotypes. The results showed a higher capacity of the green alga to withstand environmental factor changes. For both organisms the preferential colonization of the stone surface was correlated primarily, together with the environmental factors (pH, temperature, irradiance), to the physical characteristics (roughness and porosity) and secondarily to the chemical composition of the assayed lithotypes.

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

“…Nevertheless, the majority of the results suggest that green algae can colonize a wide variety of substrata and this is primarily related to the physical characteristics of the stone surface (porosity, roughness and permeability) and secondarily to the nature of the substratum. This is in accordance with Tiano et al (1995). These authors carried out a laboratory experiment using two photosynthetic strains: a green alga (Pleurococcus) and a cyanobacterium (Lyngbya), inoculated on 12 different lithotypes exposed to constant climatic conditions.…”

“…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.…”

“…These authors carried out a laboratory experiment using two photosynthetic strains: a green alga (Pleurococcus) and a cyanobacterium (Lyngbya), inoculated on 12 different lithotypes exposed to constant climatic conditions. They demonstrated that the preferential colonization (percentage of stone surface coverage) was correlated mainly with physical characteristics of the stone (roughness and porosity) while the chemical composition had low influence (Tiano et al, 1995). …”

Reproducing stone monument photosynthetic-based colonization under laboratory conditions

“…In order to understand the biodeterioration process, laboratory experiments present the advantage of controlling environmental variables which simplifies the answering of important questions. A number of different laboratory-based experimental biofilm model systems have been developed (Guillitte and Dreesen, 1995;Tiano et al, 1995;Tomaselli et al, 2000; Monte, …”

Morphology, ultrastructure and ecology of Muriella decolor (Chlorophyta) from subaerial habitats in Poland and the Antarctic

“…This is a useful adap− tation mechanism in coping with the relative environmental and climatic extremes that can be found at the soil surface. According to several authors, M. decolor is considered as one of pioneer colonizers of stone, cave rocks, wet rocks along trail, soil and ice denuded areas (Ortega−Calvo et al 1991;Tiano et al 1995;Flechtner et al 1998;Cecchi et al 2000;Lamenti et al 2000;Massalski et al 2001;Johansen et al 2002;Crispim and Gaylarde 2005;Czerwik−Marcinkowska and Mrozińska 2011;Czerwik−Marcinkowska 2013). All caves belong to habitats of extreme conditions characterized by low nutrients content, limited light and water availability (Chang and Chang−Schneider 1991;Pedersen 2000;Mulec et al 2008), and similarly such harsh conditions occur also in the Antarctic regions (Pankow et al 1991;Broady 1996;Olech 2002).…”