Objective
Micro-organisms, such as fungi, algae and bacteria, play a major role in the destruction of objects of cultural heritage and art. Anthropogenic inorganic and organic air pollutants have accelerated the microbial biodeterioration processes. On many objects of art, e.g. parchment, leather, wood, paper, paintings, micro-organisms may cause serious deterioration through colour changes and excretion of enzymes. On stone, micro-organisms cause physical (pitting, corrosion, exfoliation, etc.) and aesthetic deterioration (green algal films, black fungal crusts, patinas and surface deposits). The microbial weathering process of stone operates mainly by the excretion of corrosive organic and inorganic acids and physico-chemically by the excretion of water-absorbing extracellular polymeric substances.
The project aims at a better understanding of the action of micro-organisms causing deterioration of different objects of cultural heritage and art. The research will consist in the following: define the species composition and changes over time; set up simulation tests to determine their role in the biodeterioration processes; follow their growth and activity, preferably by non-destructive technology in situ; and apply new methods to control microbial growth on works of art.
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
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9000 Gent
Belgium