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Journal ArticleDOI

Cyanobacteria-containing biofilms from a Mayan monument in Palenque, Mexico

TL;DR: The structural characterization and species composition of biofilms from the walls of one of the buildings at the archaeological site of Palenque, Mexico, are reported and the implications for the development and permanence of species capable of withstanding temporal heterogeneity in and on El Palacio are discussed.
Abstract: Surfaces of buildings at the archaeological site of Palenque, Mexico, are colonized by cyanobacteria that form biofilms, which in turn cause aesthetic and structural damage. The structural characterization and species composition of biofilms from the walls of one of these buildings, El Palacio, are reported. The distribution of photosynthetic microorganisms in the biofilms, their relationship with the colonized substratum, and the three-dimensional structure of the biofilms were studied by image analysis. The differences between local seasonal microenvironments at the Palenque site, the bioreceptivity of stone and the relationship between biofilms and their substrata are described. The implications for the development and permanence of species capable of withstanding temporal heterogeneity in and on El Palacio, mainly due to alternating wet and dry seasons, are discussed. Knowledge on how different biofilms contribute to biodegradation or bioprotection of the substratum can be used to develop maintenance ...

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SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
Table 2. Species identified in sampling sites at El Palacio (Palenque).
Taxa Size Location Figure
Cyanobacteria
Chroococcales
Synechococcaceae
Aphanothecoideae
Aphanothece castagnei
(Bre
´
bisson) Rabenhorst
Cells 4.1-(5.3)76.6 mm wide and
2.6-(4.9)77.2 mm long
I
III
IV
Gloeothece cf. palea (Ku
¨
tz.)
Rabenhorst
Cells 2.3-(2.4)72.6 mm wide,
4.6-(7.9)711.2 mm with sheath and 2.6-
(4.9)77.26 long,
6.6-(9.2)711.8 mm with sheath.
I
II
III
IV
Microcystaceae
Gloeocapsa calcicola Gardner Cells 2.6-(3.3)74.2 mm wide and
9.2-(13.8)718.5 mm with sheath
I
II
III
IV
Gloeocapsa quaternata Ku
¨
tzing Cells 2.3-(2.9)73.5 mm wide and
3.2-(5.3)77.5 mm long. With sheath 5-
(5.7)76.5 mm wide and
6-(7.2)78.5 mm long
I
II
III
IV
Chroococcaceae
Asterocapsa divina Koma
´
rek Colonies 13.3-(63.9)7114.5 mm wide. Cells
6.6-(9.9)713.3 mm wide and 9.9-
(12.4)714.9 mm long. Cells with sheath
9.9-(25.7)741.5 mm wide
II
III
IV
Chroococcus cf. schizodermaticus
W. et G.S. West
Colonies de 7-(13.5)720 mm wide. Cells 4-
(8.5)713 mm wide and
5-(10.5)716 mm long
I
IV
Oscillatoriales
Pseudoanabaenaceae
Leptolyngbyoideae
Leptolyngbya cf. compacta
(Ku
¨
tzing ex Hansgirg) Koma
´
rek
et Anagnostidis
Filament diameter. Trichomes
1.3-(1.6)72 mm wide and cells
1.9-(2.6)73.3 mm long, sheath
1.5-(1.7)72 mm thick
I
IV
Schizotrichaceae
Schizothrix bosniaca (Hansgirg)
Geitler
Trichomes 2.4-(4.1)75.7 mm wide, cells 3.7-
(7.3)711 mm long
I
IV
(continued)

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
Table 2. (Continued).
Taxa Size Location Figure
Nostocales
Scytonemataceae
Scytonema guyanense (Mont.)
Bornet et Flahaut
Cells 4.9-(9.5)714.1 mm wide and
3.4714.9 mm long. Heterocysts 3.4-
(9.2)714.9 mm wide and
5.5-(10.8)716.1 mm long.
Sheath 8.3-(10.5)712.7 mm
I
IV
Nostocaceae
Nostoc commune Vaucher ex
Bornet et Flahaut
Cells 5.8-(6.6)77.4 mm wide and
4.9-(7.4)79.9 mm long. Heterocysts 6.6-
(7.4)78.3 mm wide and 7.4-(7.8)78.3 mm
long
I
IV
Chlorophyta
Trentepohliophyceae
Trentepohliales
Trentepohlia aurea (Linn) Martius Young cells: 3.9-(16.7)729.5 mm wide and
3.9-(13.6)723.2 mm long. Mature cells:
9.9-(18.2)726.5 mm wide and 18.2-
(35.2)752.1 mm long. Sporangia: 15.8-
(22.1)728. 2 mm wide and 17.8-
(25.5)733.2 mm long
III
IV
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is suggested that a standardized laboratory protocol for evaluating stone bioreceptivity and definition of a stone biOREceptivity index are required to enable creation of a database on the primary bioreCEPTivity of stone materials.

224 citations


Cites background from "Cyanobacteria-containing biofilms f..."

  • ...The state of conservation of building materials and their maintenance seems to also affect bioreceptivity (Ortega-Calvo et al., 1995; Ramirez et al., 2010; Jim and Chen, 2011)....

    [...]

  • ...Ramirez et al. (2010) reported that strong seasonal changes in rainfall and relative humidity defined a strict cyanobacterial growth sequence on a Mayanmonument in Palenque (Mexico), although bioreceptivity was also an important factor in the development of microorganisms....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the major routes and mechanisms which led to biodeterioration, discusses current remedial methodologies and suggests future directions, and discusses current methods and solutions.
Abstract: Since ancient time, magnificence and beauty have been the goals of architecture. Artists and architects used high strength, durable and beautiful stones like marble and limestone for the construction of monuments like Taj Mahal, Milan Cathedral, Roman Catacombs and Necropolis in Rome etc. These historic monuments are exposed to open air which allows the invading army of algae, cyanobacteria, fungi etc. to easily access them. The invasion of microorganisms and their subsequent interaction with mineral matrix of the stone substrate under varied environment conditions fosters deterioration of stones by multiple mechanisms resulting in loss of strength, durability, and aesthetic appearance. The review details about the major routes and mechanisms which led to biodeterioration, discusses current remedial methodologies and suggests future directions.

120 citations


Cites background from "Cyanobacteria-containing biofilms f..."

  • ...Algae Aesthetic and chemical deterioration Biofilm formation; color alteration; black crust formation; [18,21,31,32]...

    [...]

  • ...1 Photoautotrophs Cyanobacteria Aesthetic and chemical deterioration Biofilm formation; color alteration; patina formation; crust formation; bioweathering as a consequences of calcium uptake, precipitation of calcium salt and formation of secondary minerals [17-23]...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The secretion of protective pigments in the polysaccharide layers, namely mycosporine amino acid-like substances (MAAs) and scytonemins, under exposure to UV radiation showed how the acclimation response contributes to the persistence of cyanobacteria on exposed lithoid surfaces in tropical areas.
Abstract: Three coccoid and two filamentous cyanobacterial strains were isolated from phototrophic biofilms exposed to intense solar radiation on lithic surfaces of the Parasurameswar Temple and Khandagiri caves, located in Orissa State, India. Based on to their morphological features, the three coccoid strains were assigned to the genera Gloeocapsosis and Gloeocapsa, while the two filamentous strains were assigned to the genera Leptolyngbya and Plectonema. Eleven to 12 neutral and acidic sugars were detected in the slime secreted by the five strains. The secretions showed a high affinity for bivalent metal cations, suggesting their ability to actively contribute to weakening the mineral substrata. The secretion of protective pigments in the polysaccharide layers, namely mycosporine amino acid-like substances (MAAs) and scytonemins, under exposure to UV radiation showed how the acclimation response contributes to the persistence of cyanobacteria on exposed lithoid surfaces in tropical areas.

98 citations


Cites background from "Cyanobacteria-containing biofilms f..."

  • ...Biofilms growing on lithic surfaces of monuments have been intensively studied over recent decades since there is growing concern for the preservation of cultural heritage (de la Torre et al. 1993; Gaylarde and Morton 1999; Ramirez et al. 2010)....

    [...]

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: The distribution of particular cyanobacterial taxa on monuments in urban or agricultural areas is related mostly to climatic conditions and the position and orientation of the hard surface with respect to water availability and air circulation.
Abstract: Biofilm-forming cyanobacteria are widespread inhabitants of exposed stones in archaeological and historical sites and caves. Outdoors, these phototrophic biofilms are adapted to all types of stress imposed by growth at the air-rock interface and have developed the capacity to tolerate excess solar radiation, extreme temperatures and desiccation at different latitudes. Indoors, the typology of the cave or the characteristics of confined environments strongly selects the microbial community according to light availability and air humidity. Interactions of cyanobacteria with rocky substrata serving as the source of mineral nutrients are based on the adhesion mechanisms and metabolic processes that allow the development of these biofilms. Both types of subaerial phototrophic community include cyanobacteria that support associated populations of heterotrophic populations of mostly very specialized species. The distribution of particular cyanobacterial taxa on monuments in urban or agricultural areas is related mostly to climatic conditions and the position and orientation of the hard surface with respect to water availability and air circulation.

81 citations


Cites background from "Cyanobacteria-containing biofilms f..."

  • ...Ramírez et al. ( 2010 ) , who studied buildings at Palenque, another archaeological site in Mexico, described the three-dimensional structure and distribution on rock, stucco and concrete of photosynthetic microorganisms in the bio fi lms dominated by the desiccation-tolerant Scytonema guyanense…...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Light forest cover seems beneficial for the conservation of the Angkor monuments since it reduces evaporation processes, but further studies should be carried out so as to find an optimal balance between contrasting factors.

69 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The approach represents a convenient tool to study multiple parameters of complex photo-autotrophic biofilm systems and allows the non-destructive, three-dimensional examination of fully hydrated interfacial microbial communities at high resolution.

98 citations


"Cyanobacteria-containing biofilms f..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Phenotypic information on morphospecies, spatiotemporal variability, and the physiological status of the cells were also determined (Neu et al. 2004; Roldán et al. 2006)....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A multivariate analysis of data gathered during a sampling campaign around France proved that precipitation, hygrometry, thermal amplitude, distance from the sea and proximity to vegetation were environmental parameters influencing this colonisation of building façades.
Abstract: Algae and cyanobacteria are colonisers of building facades. A multivariate analysis of data gathered during a sampling campaign around France proved that precipitation, hygrometry, thermal amplitude, distance from the sea and proximity to vegetation were environmental parameters influencing this colonisation. Other influencing factors could be attributed to the nature of the facade coating, mineral substrata being more frequently colonised, and to the architecture, favouring in some cases the formation of damp conditions and thus the colonisation of the building envelope.

96 citations


"Cyanobacteria-containing biofilms f..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Species diversity is higher for the surfaces that receive less sunlight (whether due to shading or orientation) and remain wet for a long time (Barberousse et al. 2006; Häubner et al. 2006)....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The diversity and abundance of terrestrial, lithophytic cyanobacteria in tropical biomes and the variety of rock habitats which they occupy are discussed and the following results are presented in detail.
Abstract: The diversity and abundance of terrestrial, lithophytic cyanobacteria in tropical biomes and the variety of rock habitats which they occupy are discussed. The following results are presented in detail. Exposed rock surfaces on different continents and under different climatic conditions are occupied by a cosmopolitan, well-adapted, low-diversity microbial community dominated by cyanobacteria and cyanobacterial lichens. For inselbergs (isolated rock outcrops) in dry savanna, the ratio of rock covered by lichens to that covered by free cyanobacteria is approximately 5:3. In humid savannas this ratio is approximately 1:26, and in rainforests there are hardly any lichens on rocks. The primary production of epilithic communities, expressed as CO2 fixed calculated from chlorophyll a, can reach an annual 27 g m−2. When calculated for a hypothetical inselberg, production values for very dry thorn bush savanna, dry savanna and humid savanna are 1:3.2:4.2 on the basis of the entire inselberg, and 1:3.2:1.4 when cal...

94 citations


"Cyanobacteria-containing biofilms f..." refers background in this paper

  • ...However, their strategies to overcome the dry season appear to be different (Büdel 1999; Rindi and Guiry 2002)....

    [...]

  • ...guyanense has been reported as being cosmopolitan and well adapted to tropical climates and strong light (Sant’Anna 1988; Büdel 1999; Novelo and Ramı́rez 2006)....

    [...]

  • ...S. guyanense has been reported as being cosmopolitan and well adapted to tropical climates and strong light (Sant’Anna 1988; Büdel 1999; Novelo and Ramı́rez 2006)....

    [...]

  • ...However, their strategies to overcome the dry season appear to be different (Büdel 1999; Rindi and Guiry 2002)....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An account of biodeterioration problems associated with water distribution systems, biocorrosion, plastics, hydrocarbons, paints and coatings and buildings and monuments is described.

89 citations


"Cyanobacteria-containing biofilms f..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Cultural heritage sites made of natural materials (eg stone) are highly susceptible to damage caused by biofilms, namely, through chemical and physical deterioration (OrtegaCalvo et al. 1991; Morton and Surman 1994; Wakefield and Jones 1998; Gorbushina 2007) as well as surface discoloration....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of microorganisms in the degradation of historic stone structures has been investigated and the results have important implications for the preservation of cultural resources and for our understanding of weathering in natural systems.
Abstract: Environmental science has traditionally focused on conservation of natural resources. However, there is a second, little known, branch of environmental science that deals with the conservation of cultural resources. Many historic stone structures, archeological sites, and objects are at risk, and in need of protection, as a result of physical, chemical, and biological weathering. Because these structures are often large and located outdoors, they pose particular conservation challenges that require collaborative efforts between conservators and scientists. Historic stone supports large and diverse communities of microorganisms that colonize both the stone surface and the porous interior. In many cases, microbial processes have been implicated in the deterioration of the stone. The study of the role of microorganisms in this process is in its infancy, but recent findings have important implications for the preservation of cultural resources and for our understanding of weathering in natural systems.

87 citations


"Cyanobacteria-containing biofilms f..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Reported examples include Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, mainly among epilithic communities, and Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria and low GC Firmicutes, primarily in endolithic communities (Wakefield and Jones 1998; Caneva et al. 2005; McNamara and Mitchell 2005)....

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