A Bacillus subtilis cell fraction (BCF) inducing calcium carbonate precipitation: Biotechnological perspectives for monumental stone reinforcement

Monumental stone decay is a consequence of the weathering action of physical, chemical and biological factors, which induce a progressive increase in porosity. To cope this degradation, bacterial calcium carbonate mineralization has been proposed as a tool for the conservation of monumental calcareous stones. The advantage of this kind of treatment is to obtain a mineral product similar to the stone substrate, mimicking the natural process responsible for stone formation. In this work, the possibility to induce CaCO₃ mineralization by a bacteria-mediated system in absence of viable cells was investigated and tested on stone. Our results showed that Bacillus subtilis dead cells as wells as its bacterial cell wall fraction (BCF) can act as calcite crystallization nuclei in solution. BCF consolidating capability was further tested in laboratory on slab stones, and in situ on the Angera Church, a valuable 6th century monumental site. New crystals formation was observed inside pores and significant decrease in water absorption (up to 16.7%) in BCF treated samples. A little cohesion increase was observed in the treated area of the Angera Church, showing the potential of this application, even though further improvements are needed.     

Efflorescence on thin sections of calcareous stones

Limestone and marble, still frequently used as building materials are especially vulnerable to the destructive effects of efflorescence. The effect of interaction between five different calcareous stones and corrosive atmospheres has been investigated. A novel technique of stone degradation analysis has been used where thin sections of fresh stone materials were exposed in a corrosion chamber under controlled conditions (temperature, relative humidity (RH), SO₂ and NO₂ concentration). Following 1-week’s exposure; observations of the initial crystallisation were studied by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results obtained from the surface analysis clearly showed sulphation of the samples and formation of gypsum. Observations of the initial corrosion indicated differences in the location of efflorescence and its shape among and within the samples. The mineralogy, grain shape and size, mineral defects and existence of cracks and pores, all influenced the substrate’s reactivity. The most vulnerable areas and the places where the corrosion started on the calcitic stones were the triple grain junctions followed by grain boundaries, and on the dolomitic marble cracks and pores.     

The cementation of coarse dust to indoor surfaces

Dust accumulation is an important management and conservation problem in historic houses. Laboratory and field observations show that high relative humidity enhances the cementation of particles to underlying surfaces. The hygroscopic nature of particles or the fibres to which they adhere influences this cementation process. The cements, which can form in a matter of hours at high humidity, appear to be microcrystalline calcites. Reducing the impact of this process on heritage objects requires preventing dust deposits, especially in periods of high humidity.