Lichens and the Biodeterioration of Stonework: The Italian Experience

Abstract

Lichens play an important role as biogeophysical and biogeochemical agents in the degradation of stone surfaces, particular problems arising at the lichen-substratum stratum interface on stonework of artistic value. This work presents a detailed, mainly bibliographical, review of research carried out to date on the lichen biodeterioration of Italian archeological and monumental stonework. This survey presents the main methodologies used in this field: systematic and ecological studies, lichen-substratum interface qualitative analyses, chemical and physical mechanisms of deterioration by lichens, calcium oxalate films and methods of prevention and control. Lichens have also been investigated in terms of their dispersion by air: sampling methods for the quantitative assessment of the presence of airborne propagules in areas of artistic and archeological interest are proposed.