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Cyanobacterial Biofilms in Monuments and Caves

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Ecology of Cyanobacteria II

Summary

Biofilm-forming cyanobacteria are widespread inhabitants of exposed stones in archaeological and historical sites and caves. Outdoors, these phototrophic biofilms are adapted to all types of stress imposed by growth at the air-rock interface and have developed the capacity to tolerate excess solar radiation, extreme temperatures and desiccation at different latitudes. Indoors, the typology of the cave or the characteristics of confined environments strongly selects the microbial community according to light availability and air humidity. Interactions of cyanobacteria with rocky substrata serving as the source of mineral nutrients are based on the adhesion mechanisms and metabolic processes that allow the development of these biofilms. Both types of subaerial phototrophic community include cyanobacteria that support associated populations of heterotrophic populations of mostly very specialized species. The distribution of particular cyanobacterial taxa on monuments in urban or agricultural areas is related mostly to climatic conditions and the position and orientation of the hard surface with respect to water availability and air circulation.

The chapter provides an overview of the more recent studies on free-living subaerophytic cyanobacteria causing discolouration and erosion of lithic faces. Emphasis is on the biodeterioration of artworks due to physical and chemical processes caused by the growth of epilithic and endolithic organisms. The methods used for studying cyanobacterial communities on rocks and buildings of historic and artistic value are summarized, with the focus on conservation issues. Study techniques which are non-invasive of the underlying substrata are essential and it is important to identify the biodeteriogens responsible for the damage.

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Acknowledgements

I thank Laura Bruno and the students of the Laboratory of Biology of Algae of Tor Vergata who contributed to the studies on biodeterioration, Clara Urzì, Roberto De Philippis and Siba Prasad Adhikary for their friendly and fruitful collaboration, and Raffaella Giuliani of the Pontificia Commissione di Archeologia Sacra (CdV) for the helpful assistance during the years spent working inside the Christian catacombs of Rome. Acknowledgements are also due the National Research Council of Italy, the European Commission DGXII Environment and the University of “Tor Vergata” for supporting these studies during the last two decades. Many thanks also to Brian Whitton for suggestions during the writing of this chapter and to my husband for the time subtracted to our personal life.

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  1. Dipartimento di Biologia, Universita degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy

    Patrizia Albertano

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  1. , School of Biological & Biomedical Scienc, Durham University, UK, Durham, United Kingdom

    Brian A. Whitton

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Albertano, P. (2012). Cyanobacterial Biofilms in Monuments and Caves. In: Whitton, B. (eds) Ecology of Cyanobacteria II. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-3855-3_11

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