Diversity of Terrestrial Cyanobacteria Colonizing Selected Stone Monuments in Serbia
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2018
Authors
Popović, Slađana
Stupar, Milos
Unkovic, Nikola
Subakov-Simić, Gordana

Grbic, Milica Ljaljevic
Article (Published version)

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The presence of biofilms on stone monuments can lead to biodeterioration processes that significantly lower not only the aesthetic value of cultural heritage sites but also cause considerable physical and chemical damage to stone surfaces. In terrestrial environments, cyanobacteria have a significant role in biofilm formation on a variety of natural and artificial stone substrata, including granite, sandstone, limestone, lime mortar, etc. Studies on cyanobacterial diversity and estimation of biodeteriorative activity on stone cultural heritage objects can be very important for conservators and restorers, and cyanobacteria removal from stone monuments is currently a great challenge for conservation science. In that sense, the diversity of terrestrial cyanobacteria was investigated at six localities in Serbia. Samples for cyanobacterial analyses were taken from surface biofilms covering different substrata: granite and lime mortar (The Monument to the Unknown Hero), sandstone (Branko's B...ridge, Eiffel's Lock) and carbonate rock (Medieval tombstones from Mramorje and Rastite, Gradac Monastery). A total of 18 cyanobacterial taxa were identified. The highest diversity was found on carbonate rock, followed by sandstone. Cyanobacteria were also recorded on an artificial substratum - lime mortar, while cyanobacteria were not found on granite. All detected cyanobacteria seriously impaired the structural and aesthetic integrity of the studied monuments via mechanical and chemical actions, so their presence must not be overlooked.
Keywords:
Biodeterioration / biofilm / carbonate rock / cyanobacteria / DCA / granite / mortar / sandstoneSource:
Studies in Conservation, 2018, 63, 5, 292-302Publisher:
- Routledge Journals, Taylor & Francis Ltd, Abingdon
Projects:
- Transformation of Serbian Geospace - lessons from the past, contemporary problems and possible solutions (RS-176020)
- Geologic and ecotoxicologic research in identification of geopathogen zones of toxic elements in drinking water reservoirs- research into methods and procedures for reduction of biochemical anomalies (RS-176018)
DOI: 10.1080/00393630.2018.1438127
ISSN: 0039-3630