Microbially induced deterioration of architectural heritages: routes and mechanisms involved

Dakal, Tikam Chand; Cameotra, Swaranjit Singh

doi:10.1186/2190-4715-24-36

Environmental Sciences Europe

Table 1 Microorganisms and environmental factors involved in biodeterioration of architectural building and artworks

From: Microbially induced deterioration of architectural heritages: routes and mechanisms involved

S.No.	Microbial group	Microorganisms/environmental factors	Deterioration type	Deterioration mechanism	Ref.
1	Photoautotrophs	Cyanobacteria	Aesthetic and chemical deterioration	Biofilm formation; color alteration; patina formation; crust formation; bioweathering as a consequences of calcium uptake, precipitation of calcium salt and formation of secondary minerals	[17–23]
		Lichen	Chemical and mechanical deterioration	Extraction of nutrients from stone surface; oxalate formation; carbonic acids production associated bioweathering; physical intrusions in small pore etc.	[17, 24–30]
		Algae	Aesthetic and chemical deterioration	Biofilm formation; color alteration; black crust formation;	[18, 21, 31, 32]
		Mosses and Liverworts	Aesthetic and chemical deterioration	Discoloration; green-grey patches; extraction of minerals from stone surface	[33, 34]
2	Chemoautotrophs	Sulfur-oxidizing, Nitrifying bacteria	Chemical deterioration	Black crust formation	[6, 23, 35–40]
3	Chemoheterotrophs	Heterotrophic bacteria	Aesthetic and chemical deterioration	Crust formation; patina; exfoliation; color alteration	[18, 41–43]
		Actinomycetes	Aesthetic deterioration	Whitish grey powder; patinas; white salt efflorescence;	[18, 41–43]
		Fungi	Aesthetic, chemical, physical and mechanical deterioration	Fungal diagenesis; color alteration; oxalate formation; bioweathering by secreted acids; Chelating property of secreted acids; physical intrusion or penetration of fungal hyphae and destabilization of stone texture	[23, 29, 44–51]
4	Chemoorganotrophs	Sulfur-reducing bacteria	Chemical deterioration	Conversion of sulfate into sulfite which act as a source of nutrition for sulfur-oxidizing bacteria	[23]
5	Higher Plants	Higher Plants	Mechanical deterioration	Intrusion of roots inside the cracks and pores; collapse and detachment of stone structure	[18, 43]
6	Other	Environment Factors	Aesthetic deterioration	Deposition of carbonaceous particles, ash and other particulate matters; bioweathering effects oxides of sulfur and nitrogen; Pollution has also favored the invasion of some aggressive species	[6, 36, 38, 52, 53]

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