title: Measurement of limestone biodeterioration using the Ca2+ binding fluorochrome Rhod-5N.
abstract: Limestone and marble have been used extensively in the construction of modern and historic buildings. Microbial colonization and growth on these stone structures is common. Microbial deterioration of stone has been assessed by measuring Ca2+ released from the stone, using ion selective electrodes and titration with EDTA. In this study, the calcium binding fluorochrome Rhod-5N was used to measure Ca2+ released from limestone by endolithic bacteria as an indicator of biodeterioration. In a 17 d flask experiment, Ca2+ released by endolithic bacteria was twice that of uninoculated controls. Rhod-5N is a rapid and accurate method for measuring microbial biodeterioration of stone.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbial Ecology, Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: McNamara
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bearce
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Duque
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000737:chemistry*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D016937:Gram-Positive Endospore-Forming Rods / Q000378:metabolism*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D002118:Calcium