title: Fungal colonization on stoneworks. Interaction fungi-powdered stone samples.
abstract: The microbial activity plays an important role in the biodegradative processes implied in stonework decay. In natural environments it is not possible to separate the damage produced by microorganisms from damage caused by physical and chemical agents. In vitro assays carried out with microbes isolated from weathered stones are required in order to understand the biological mechanisms involved in stone deterioration. We have described, as commented in the text, how fungal colonization observed on scaglia may be the result of the fine grain size of rock, whereas inhibition of growth on marble may depend on the surface characteristics of calcite grains after grinding. The extent of microbial growth clearly depends on the quantity of cations released in solution. However, fungal growth may, in turn, induce a decrease in pH, thus promoting mineral chemical attack. These observation points to selective action of fungal species in promoting weathering well evidenced by the presence of different extents of cations released in suspension from the same sample. Detailed studies are in progress in order to go into this question.
authors.affiliation: University of Perugia, Dept. of Experimental and Biochemical Sciences, Microbiology Section, Via del Giochetto, 06126 Perugia, Italy. sbara@unipg.it
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sbaraglia
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pitzurra
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moroni
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nocentini
authors.forename: Mariolina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vitali
authors.forename: Giampiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Poli
authors.forename: Costanza
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miliani
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bistoni
mesh_terms: D001154:Art; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005658:Fungi; D055593:Geological Phenomena; D005844:Geology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010316:Particle Size; D011157:Population Dynamics