title: Assessment of biological colonization of historic buildings in the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration camp.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess biological colonization of wooden and brick buildings in the former Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration camp, and to identify the organisms colonizing the examined buildings. Microbiological analysis did not reveal increased microbial activity, and the total microbial count of the barrack surfaces did not exceed 103CFU/100 cm2. However, certain symptoms of biodegradation of the buildings were observed. The predominant microflora consisted of bacteria of the generaBacillus,Sporosarcina,Pseudomonas,Micrococcus,Streptomyces, andStaphylococcus, as well as fungi of the generaAcremonium,Cladosporium,Alternaria,Humicola,Penicillium, andChaetomium. The microflora patterns varied both in wooden and brick buildings. The structural elements of wooden and brick barracks, and especially of the floors and lower parts of bathroom walls, were infected by cyanobacteria and algae, with the most numerous being cyanobacteria of the generaScytonema,Chroococcus,Gloeothece,Leptolyngbya, diatoms of the genusDiadesmis, and chlorophytes of the generaChlorellaandApatococcus. The outer surfaces of the examined buildings were primarily colonized by lichens and bryophytes, with nearly 30 species identified. The dominant species of lichens belonged to the generaCandelariella,Caloplaca,Lecanora,Lecidea,Lepraria,Physcia, andProtoparmeliopsis, and those of bryophytes to the generaBryum,Ceratodon,Marchantia, andTortula. The quantity and species diversity of lichens and mosses were much lower in wooden barracks than in brick ones. The external surfaces of those barracks were only affected byLecanora conizaeoides,Lecanora symmicta,Leprariacf.incana, andStrangospora pinicola. The study results revealed vast biodiversity among the species colonizing historic buildings. The presence of these groups of organisms, resulting from their natural expansion in the environment, is undesirable, as their excessive growth and spread may lead to progressive biodegradation of buildings. Our assessment of biological contamination will enable the development of a disinfection and conservation plan for the examined buildings.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Lodz University of Technology, Wólczańska St. 171/173, 90-924 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rajkowska
authors.affiliation: Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Lodz University of Technology, Wólczańska St. 171/173, 90-924 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Otlewska
authors.affiliation: Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Lodz University of Technology, Wólczańska St. 171/173, 90-924 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koziróg
authors.affiliation: Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Lodz University of Technology, Wólczańska St. 171/173, 90-924 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piotrowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Algology and Mycology, University of Lodz, Banacha St. 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Paulina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nowicka-Krawczyk
authors.affiliation: Department of Algology and Mycology, University of Lodz, Banacha St. 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hachułka
authors.affiliation: Department of Geobotany and Plant Ecology, University of Lodz, Banacha St. 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Grzegorz J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Wolski
authors.affiliation: Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Lodz University of Technology, Wólczańska St. 171/173, 90-924 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Alina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kunicka-Styczyńska
authors.affiliation: Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Lodz University of Technology, Wólczańska St. 171/173, 90-924 Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gutarowska
authors.affiliation: Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, Więźniów Oświęcimia St. 20, 32-603 Oświęcim, Poland.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zydzik-Białek
keywords: Biodeterioration; Biodiversity; Cultural heritage; Historic buildings