Microbiological and genetic analysis of signs of deterioration
The study focused on the use of microbiological cultivation methods, fluorescence microscopy and standard DNA sequencing to identify fungi associated with the appearance of different signs of deterioration on the marble gravestone.
A total of 21 fungal isolates were identified, including 16 moulds and 5 yeasts. We found that areas of the gravestone that are well protected from rainfall contain higher concentrations of xerophilic fungi compared to areas that are fully or partially exposed to rain. The moulds on the monument belong to the genera Cladosporium spp. and Alternaria spp. formed a black-grey patina, while the red-coloured yeast Rhodotorula babjevae caused a dark red patina.
Read more in the research paper by Janez Kosel, Nejc Tomščič, Mojca Mlakar and Polonce Ropret.
https://heritagesciencejournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40494-024-01527-4
Distribution of identified fungal genera by sampled site (CFU/dm2) and in the air sampled behind the tomb (CFU/m3).
