Bacterial and fungal deterioration of the Milan Cathedral marble treated with protective synthetic resins
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2007
Citazione:
Bacterial and fungal deterioration of the Milan Cathedral marble treated with protective synthetic resins / F. Cappitelli, P. Principi, R. Pedrazzani, L. Toniolo, C. Sorlini. - In: SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT. - ISSN 0048-9697. - 385:1-3(2007), pp. 172-181.
Abstract:
Surfaces are continuously exposed to physical, chemical and biological degradation. Among the biological agents that cause
deterioration, microorganisms are of critical importance.
This work is part of a research programme for the characterisation of the alterations of the Milan Cathedral (Italy). Four stone
samples of the Milan Cathedral were chemically analysed and the microbiological growth assessed. X-ray diffraction (XRD)
showed that calcite was always present in each sample and one sample was also characterised by the chemical form of alteration
gypsum. Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) together with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), it was
possible to prove that the samples were consolidated with the synthetic acrylics and epoxy resins. The green-black biological
patinas of the specimens were studied using cultivation, microscope observations and a method for single-cell detection. Sampling
for fluorescent in-situ hybridisation (FISH), with ribosomal RNA targeted oligonucleotide probes, was also performed using
adhesive tapes. The bulk of the prokaryotes were Bacteria but some Archaea were also found. The bacterial cells were further
characterised using specific probes for Cyanobacteria, and α-, β-and γ-Proteobacteria. In addition, black fungi isolated from the
stone and the fungi of the standard ASTM G21-96(2002) method were employed to test if the detected synthetic resins could be
used as the sole source of carbon and energy. One isolated Cladosporium sp. attacked the freshly dried acrylic resin. Results show
that the detected bacteria and fungi can cause severe damage both to the stone monument and its synthetic consolidants.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
Acrylic; ASTM G21-96(2002) method; Biodeteriorated stone; Cultural heritage; Epoxy resins; Fluorescent in-situ hybridisation
Elenco autori:
F. Cappitelli, P. Principi, R. Pedrazzani, L. Toniolo, C. Sorlini
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