Biodeterioration and Preservation

This volume explores the vital role of microorganisms in both the deterioration and preservation of cultural heritage. Contributors examine how microbial activity, climate change, pollution, and tourism impact monuments, artworks, and archaeological sites. Featuring recent research from conservation microbiologists, the book highlights advances in understanding biodeterioration mechanisms and the emerging use of bacteria as protective agents. It offers valuable insights for scientists, conservators, and policymakers working to safeguard cultural heritage in changing environments.

The world’s monuments, art objects and archaeology are at increasing risk of deterioration from environmental threats e.g. climate change, air pollution, and tourism. Microorganisms play a central role in these deterioration processes. They grow both on the surface and in the interiors of many materials. Our understanding of the role that the microbial community plays in these activities has improved significantly in recent years and a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of degradation is now possible. In addition, new tools have opened the door to the use of bacteria as protective agents. In this book, contributors have focused on the essential role that biodeterioration plays in both the deterioration and preservation of a wide range of materials. The volume brings together recent research by conservation microbiologists working in diverse environments. In addition papers are included on the effects of microbial biofilms and climate change on the biodeterioration process. It is hoped that this book will prove helpful to microbiologists, chemists, and other scientists working in the field of conservation. It should also be useful to practicing conservators, and individuals in public policy concerned with the protection of our world’s cultural heritage treasures.

The impact of the environment on biodeterioration and preservation of heritage materials

The Importance of Microbial Biofilms in Deterioration of Heritage Materials Marc W. Mittleman

Effects of Climate Change on the Biodeterioration of Historic Materials Peter Brimblecombe

Biodeterioration and preservation processes

Microbial Processes Involved in Deterioration of Paper and Parchment Flavia Pinzari

Biodeterioration of Photographic and Cinematographic Materials: Methods of Investigation Domenico Pangallo

Biodeterioration of easel paintings - An overview A. Teresa Caldeira, Catia Salvador, Tania Rosado, and Antonio Candeias

Modern materials and contemporary art Francesca Cappitelli and Federica Villa

Use of dyes as a method to control textile biodeterioration Barbara Blyskal

Biodeterioration of paintings in caves, catacombs, and other hypogean sites Clara Urzi, Laura Bruno, and Filomena De Leo

Limestone Biodeterioration: Examples from Portugal A.C. Pinheiro, N. Mesquita, and Antonio Portugal

Reasons for Removing Biological Materials from Calcareous Stone Monuments Margaret Breuker and Joannie Bottkol

Submerged archaeological wooden structures Charlotte Bjordal

Novel approaches to preservation

Biocleaning of cultural heritage treasures Pilar Bosch-Roig and Giancarlo Ranalli

The application of modern technology in the biodeterioration and preservation of built cultural heritage Christine C. Gaylarde and B. Otto Ortega Morales,

The impact of the environment on biodeterioration and preservation of heritage materials

The Importance of Microbial Biofilms in Deterioration of Heritage Materials
Marc W. Mittleman

Effects of Climate Change on the Biodeterioration of Historic Materials
Peter Brimblecombe

Biodeterioration and preservation processes

Microbial Processes Involved in Deterioration of Paper and Parchment
Flavia Pinzari

Biodeterioration of Photographic and Cinematographic Materials: Methods of Investigation
Domenico Pangallo

Biodeterioration of easel paintings – An overview
A. Teresa Caldeira, Cátia Salvador, Tânia Rosado, and António Candeias

Modern materials and contemporary art
Francesca Cappitelli and Federica Villa

Use of dyes as a method to control textile biodeterioration
Barbara Blyskal

Biodeterioration of paintings in caves, catacombs, and other hypogean sites
Clara Urzi, Laura Bruno, and Filomena De Leo

Limestone Biodeterioration: Examples from Portugal
A.C. Pinheiro, N. Mesquita, and António Portugal

Reasons for Removing Biological Materials from Calcareous Stone Monuments
Margaret Breuker and Joannie Bottkol

Submerged archaeological wooden structures
Charlotte Björdal

Novel approaches to preservation

Biocleaning of cultural heritage treasures
Pilar Bosch-Roig and Giancarlo Ranalli

The application of modern technology in the biodeterioration and preservation of built cultural heritage
Christine C. Gaylarde and B. Otto Ortega Morales

• Edited by Ralph Mitchell
• Edited by Jennifer Clifford