Biodeterioration of stone surfaces : lichens and biofilms as weathering agents of rocks and cultural heritage ; [Biodeterioration Symposium held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in August 2001

This is a timely volume in view of the considerable interest currently shown in the preservation of our cultural heritage, and the extensive and growing literature on the subject. Unfortunately, the latter is to be found in a wide variety of published sources, some aimed at a very specific readership and therefore not all that accessible to those who need this resource. The present volume draws together a spectrum of biodeterioration work from across the world to provide an overview of the materials examined and the methodologies employed to elucidate the nature of the problems, as well as an extensive and current bibliographical resource on lichen biodeterioration. Biodeterioration of historical and culturally important stone substrata is a complex problem to be addressed. Easy, risk-free solutions are simply not available to be dealt with by other than a wide range of expertise. Successful resolution of this issue will inevitably require a multidisciplinary effort, where biologists work in close cooperation with ecologists, geologists, geochemists, crystallographers, cultural property conservators, archaeologists, anthropologists, and historians in order to recommend the most effective management scheme. The advantage of this approach is obvious: multidisciplinary management teams with good leadership can ask more appropriate questions while developing much more thoughtful and informed decisions. This is a timely volume in view of the considerable interest currently shown in the preservation of our cultural heritage and the extensive and growing literature on the subject. Unfortunately, the latter is to be found in a wide variety of published sources, some aimed at a very specific readership. The present volume draws together a spectrum of biodeterioration work from across the world to provide an overview of the materials examined and the methodologies employed to elucidate the nature of the problems, as well as an extensive and current bibliographical resource on lichen biodeterioration. Generally, we do not think of rock surfaces as particularly conducive to the growth and development of living things. Occasionally, we may encounter grasses or forbs or even more rarely a small shrub or stunted tree growing from a crack in a large boulder or rock wall; but for most people, rock is perceived as dry, sterile, impenetrable, and generally uninviting. However, to the experienced eye rock surfaces are often teeming with life - lichens, bryophytes, a host of small invertebrate animals, as well as a vast array of microscopic organisms including bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae and non-lichenized fungi. The longevity and structural stability of most rocks superficially suggest that rock surface inhabitants are benign; however, slowly and steadily all rock dwelling organisms contribute to the relentless decomposition of rock surfaces - augmented by the natural physical forces associated with changing seasons, weather patterns, and in some localized settings the caustic effects of air pollution. Rock dwelling communities vary in complexity and composition depending on the specific structural and chemical features of the rock. Even human manipulated or manufactured stone supports to some degree a living community - and herein are found the real issues and concerns related to biodeterioration of rock substrata. In a natural setting biodecomposition of rock is accepted as normal and even desirable - integral to the process of soil development; however, in the human environment biodeterioration of monuments, buildings, artwork, statues and gravestones is counted as a serious problem. Even in natural settings, culturally significant prehistoric and historic rock art is subject to the same processes of biodeterioration. In this volume the editors have compiled current papers from leading experts dealing with various issues related to biodeterioration of rock substrata. Topics range from biodeterioration effects on prehistoric rock art as well as culturally significant, historic rock structures. This is the first treatment of the subject of biodeterioration that includes a careful consideration of the role of related disciplines including geology, archaeology, crystallography, cultural conservation and resource management. This combination of disciplines makes this book valuable not only as a solid scientific treatise but equally important as a serious resource for evaluating both impact processes and preservation options related to biodeterioration of culturally significant rock substrata Front Matter....Pages i-xvii Biodeterioration of Rock Substrata by Lichens: Progress and Problems....Pages 1-8 Lichens as Subversive Agents of Biodeterioration....Pages 9-18 Limestone Stabilization Studies at a Maya Site in Belize....Pages 19-44 Lichens and the Biodeterioration of Stonework: The Italian Experience....Pages 45-68 Deteriorative Effects of Lichens on Granite Monuments....Pages 69-77 Microbial Biofilms on Carbonate Rocks from a Quarry and Monuments in Novelda (Alicante, Spain)....Pages 79-98 Lichens on Wyoming Sandstone....Pages 99-113 Lichen Encroachment onto Rock Art in Eastern Wyoming: Conservation Problems and Prospects for Treatment....Pages 115-128 Lichen Biodeterioration at Inscription Rock, El Morro National Monument, Ramah, New Mexico, USA....Pages 129-163 Lichens of Different Mortars at Archaeological Sites in Southern Spain....Pages 165-179 Observations on Lichens Growing on Artifacts in the Indian Subcontinent....Pages 181-193 Biodeterioration of Prehistoric Rock Art and Issues in Site Preservation....Pages 195-228 Raman Spectroscopy of Rock Biodeterioration by the Lichen Lecidea Tessellata Flörke in a Desert Environment, Utah, USA....Pages 229-240 Lichens and Monuments....Pages 241-282 Back Matter....Pages 283-292 Edited By Larry L. St. Clair And Mark R.d. Seaward. Contains Edited Papers From The Biodeterioration Symposium On Biodeterioration Held In Albuquerque, New Mexico In August 2001. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes.