Limestone biodeterioration: A review on the Portuguese cultural heritage scenario

• Published in: Journal of cultural heritage Vol. 36; pp. 275 - 285
• Main Authors: Pinheiro, Ana Catarina, Mesquita, Nuno, Trovão, João, Soares, Fabiana, Tiago, Igor, Coelho, Catarina, de Carvalho, Hugo Paiva, Gil, Francisco, Catarino, Lidia, Piñar, Guadalupe, Portugal, António
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Masson SAS 01.03.2019
• Subjects: Biodeterioration; Limestone; Microorganisms; Portugal; Biodeterioration; Limestone; Microorganisms; Portugal
• ISSN: 1296-2074; 1778-3674
• DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2018.07.008

•Limestone is a particularly prone to colonization by microorganisms.•Due to the abundance of limestone in Portugal, Portuguese built heritage has many examples of such cultural heritage but there is very few information regarding the biological communities identified in these locations and their possible effects on the biodeterioration of Portuguese limestone.•The information gathered from diverse sources has been compiled and is presented in a concise form. Also pointed out are the possible effects these identified microorganisms can have on limestone.•The methods used to perform the analyses compiled in this article and other possible methods to effectively ascertain these microbial communities are briefly discussed. Stone, one of the earliest testimonies of human artistic expression, is susceptible to biodeterioration by microorganisms. The most frequent stone colonizing agents are algae, cyanobacteria, bacteria, fungi and lichens, each with their own set of adaptive traits, which allow them to prosper and consequently damage the stone substrate. Limestone is particularly susceptible to biological agents; therefore, in order to act towards the protection and prevention of colonization by microorganisms, it is crucial to understand the microbial communities thriving in limestone heritage buildings. Data regarding the biodiversity and biological activity in Portuguese limestone monuments is, however, still scarce and the scattered knowledge on the subject impairs a full comprehension of the complex and relevant phenomena associated with this particular setting. This review presents and discusses the available studies performed in Portuguese limestone. In addition, the state of the art methodologies to be used, as well as the future studies to be considered, in order to effectively protect such invaluable witnesses of our history, are discussed.