Biodeterioration of archaeological monuments of Taxila, Pakistan

AbstractThe present research was conducted to assess the role of aeromycoflora around world heritage sites of Taxila and its relation with biodeterioration of stone monuments. The aerial mycoflora of six archaeological sites was recorded for one year to monitor the seasonal variations and transportation of fungal spores. Thirty-two fungal species belonging to twenty genera were isolated throughout the whole sampling period. The fungal generaAlternaria, Aspergillus,Cladosporium,Fusarium,Mucor,Helminthosporium,Curvularia andPenicillium were prevalent, whereas at species levelAlternaria alternata was dominant followed byAspergillus niger,Cladosporium herbarum,Penicillium chrysogenum andFusarium oxysporum. A well-marked qualitative and quantitative seasonal variation in aeromycoflora of selected sites was recorded. Some fungal species showed restricted occurrence to a specific archaeological site of Taxila. The comparative study of aerial and surface mycoflora revealed that dominant aerial fungal species were involved in biodeterioration of monuments. The chemical composition of fungal patinas and biofilm was also carried out, and it was found that calcite, gypsum and calcium oxalate were the main minerals detected by X-ray diffraction technique. The dominant fungal species were also determined for their ability to produce organic acids in broth medium. The fungal species produce a significant amount of citric acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, fumaric acid and gluconic acid. The di...
Source: Aerobiologia - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research