scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question
Book ChapterDOI

Cyanobacterial Biofilms in Monuments and Caves

01 Jan 2012-pp 317-343
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.
Citations
More filters
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 "Cyanobacterial Biofilms in Monument..."

  • ...The latter compounds are secreted in the EPS layers and are responsible for the dark pigmentation of stones (Albertano Forthcoming 2011)....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Cyanobacteria diversity in Mediterranean semiarid soil crusts along an aridity gradient is described by using next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics analyses, and clear shifts along it in cyanobacterial dominance are detected.
Abstract: Cyanobacteria are a key biotic component as primary producers in biocrusts, topsoil communities that have important roles in the functioning of drylands. Yet, major knowledge gaps exist regarding the composition of biocrust cyanobacterial diversity and distribution in Mediterranean ecosystems. We describe cyanobacterial diversity in Mediterranean semiarid soil crusts along an aridity gradient by using next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics analyses, and detect clear shifts along it in cyanobacterial dominance. Statistical analyses show that temperature and precipitation were major parameters determining cyanobacterial composition, suggesting the presence of differentiated climatic niches for distinct cyanobacteria. The responses to temperature of a set of cultivated, pedigreed strains representative of the field populations lend direct support to that contention, with psychrotolerant vs thermotolerant physiology being strain dependent, and consistent with their dominance along the natural gradient. Our results suggest a possible replacement, as global warming proceeds, of cool-adapted by warm-adapted nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria (such as Scytonema) and a switch in the dominance of Microcoleus vaginatus by thermotolerant, novel phylotypes of bundle-forming cyanobacteria. These differential sensitivities of cyanobacteria to rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation, their ubiquity, and their low generation time point to their potential as bioindicators of global change.

68 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The work showed the potential of bacteria isolated after the treatment for use in combatting unwanted microbial growth in that they possess a positive tropism toward stressed microorganisms and high hydrolytic enzymatic activity against cell components (e.g. cellulose, chitin and pectin).

60 citations


Cites background from "Cyanobacterial Biofilms in Monument..."

  • ...This cyanobacterium has been frequently observed in subterranean sites where it can form an extensive cover on lithic faces with grey-greenish crusty or powdery surface alterations (Albertano, 2012)....

    [...]

  • ...In order to allow the tourist visits there is an illumination system although with very low light emission (b2 μmol m−2 s−1 as reported by Albertano, 2012)....

    [...]

  • ...…and low irradiance); these, together with the impact of visitors, favor the establishment and proliferation of a highly diverse microbial community formed by cyanobacteria, bacteria and, to a lesser extent, by algae and fungi (Albertano, 2012; Albertano et al., 2004; Sanchez-Moral et al., 2005)....

    [...]

  • ...Subterranean Cultural Heritage sites suffer various conservation problems mainly due to their microclimatic conditions (stable temperature, high relative humidity and low irradiance); these, together with the impact of visitors, favor the establishment and proliferation of a highly diverse microbial community formed by cyanobacteria, bacteria and, to a lesser extent, by algae and fungi (Albertano, 2012; Albertano et al., 2004; Sanchez-Moral et al., 2005)....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The conditions and factors that cause biofilm variation are reviewed, with the goal of engendering awareness that more attention must be paid to the employed, the methods used to assess biofilm development, every aspect of the model employed, and the configuration of the MTL locus.
Abstract: Candida albicans, the most pervasive fungal pathogen that colonizes humans, forms biofilms that are architecturally complex. They consist of a basal yeast cell polylayer and an upper region of hyphae encapsulated in extracellular matrix. However, biofilms formed in vitro vary as a result of the different conditions employed in models, the methods used to assess biofilm formation, strain differences, and, in a most dramatic fashion, the configuration of the mating type locus (MTL). Therefore, integrating data from different studies can lead to problems of interpretation if such variability is not taken into account. Here we review the conditions and factors that cause biofilm variation, with the goal of engendering awareness that more attention must be paid to the strains employed, the methods used to assess biofilm development, every aspect of the model employed, and the configuration of the MTL locus. We end by posing a set of questions that may be asked in comparing the results of different studies and developing protocols for new ones. This review should engender the notion that not all biofilms are created equal.

59 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Investigating the effects of UV-C on combating algal biofilm expansion in a cave located in northeastern France indicated that passive dispersal vectors of the viable spores and cells were the primary factors involved in the cave's algae repartition, and showed that colorimetric measurements could be used for the detection of both thin and thick biofilms, regardless of the type of colonized surface.

57 citations

References
More filters
Book
01 May 1989
TL;DR: BCL3 and Sheehy cite Bergey's manual of determinative bacteriology of which systematic bacteriology, first edition, is an expansion.
Abstract: BCL3 and Sheehy cite Bergey's manual of determinative bacteriology of which systematic bacteriology, first edition, is an expansion. With v.4 the set is complete. The volumes cover, roughly, v.1, the Gram-negatives except those in v.3 ($87.95); v.2, the Gram-positives less actinomycetes ($71.95); v.

16,172 citations

Book
28 Feb 1995
TL;DR: This work focuses on the study of the structure and function of the Photosystem II Reaction Center in Cyanobacteria, which consists of Chloroplast Origins and Evolution, and its role in the Evolution of the Universal Enzyme.
Abstract: Preface. Color Plates. 1. Molecular Evolution and Taxonomy of the Cyanobacteria A. Wilmotte. 2. The Oceanic Cyanobacterial Picoplankton N.G. Carr, N.H. Mann. 3. Prochlorophytes: the 'Other' Cyanobacteria? H.C.P. Matthijs, et al. 4. Molecular Biology of Cyanelles W. Loffelhardt, H.J. Bohnert. 5. Chloroplast Origins and Evolution S.E. Douglas. 6. Supramolecular Membrane Organization E. Gantt. 7. Phycobilisome and Phycobiliprotein Structures W.A. Sidler. 8. The Use of Cyanobacteria in the Study of the Structure and Function of Photosystem II B.A. Barry, et al. 9. The Cytochrome b6f Complex T. Kallas. 10. Photosystem I in Cyanobacteria J.H. Golbeck. 11. The F-type ATPase in Cyanobacteria: Pivotal Point in the Evolution of the Universal Enzyme W.D. Frasch. 12. Soluble Electron Transfer Catalysts of Cyanobacteria L.Z. Morand, et al. 13. Cyanobacterial Respiration G. Schmetterer. 14. The Biochemistry and Molecular Regulation of Carbon Dioxide Metabolism in Cyanobacteria F.R. Tabita. 15. Physiological and Molecular Studies on the Response of Cyanobacteria to Changes in the Ambient Inorganic Carbon Concentration A. Kaplan, et al. 16. Assimilatory Nitrogen Metabolism and its Regulation E. Flores, A. Herrero. 17. Biosynthesis of Cyanobacterial Tetrapyrrole Pigments: Hemes, Chlorophylls, and Phycobilins S.I. Beale. 18. Carotenoids in Cyanobacteria J. Hirschberg, D. Chamovitz. 18. Genetic Analysis of Cyanobacteria T. Thiel. 20. The Transcription Apparatus and the Regulation of Transcription Initiation S.E. Curtis, J.A. Martin. 21. The Responses of Cyanobacteria to Environmental Conditions: Light and Nutrients A.R. Grossman, et al. 22. Short-Term and Long-Term Adaptation of the Photosynthetic Apparatus: Homeostatic Properties of Thylakoids Y. Fujita, et al. 23. Light-Responsive Gene Expression and the Biochemistry of the Photosystem II Reaction Center S.S. Golden. 24. Thioredoxins in Cyanobacteria: Structure and Redox Regulation of Enzyme Activity F.K. Gleason. 25. Iron Deprivation: Physiology and Gene Regulation N.A. Straus. 26. The Cyanobacterial Heat-Shock Response and the Molecular Chaperones R. Webb, L.A. Sherman. 27. Heterocyst Metabolism and Development C.P. Wolk, et al. 28. Differentiation of Hormogonia and Relationships with Other Biological Processes N. Tandeau de Marsac. Organism Index. Gene and Gene Product Index. Subject Index.

1,289 citations

Book
01 Jan 2000
TL;DR: This chapter discusses cyanobacteria in deserts: life at the limits?
Abstract: 1. Introduction to the cyanobacteria B.A. Whitton, M. Potts. 2. The evolutionary record: Tracing the roots of the cyanobacterial lineage J.W. Schopf. Environments: 3. Cyanobacteria in geothermal habitats D.M. Ward, R.W. Castenholz. 4. Mats and stromatolites L. Stal. 5. Marine plankton H.W. Paerl. 6. Freshwater blooms R.L. Oliver, G.G. Ganf. 7. Picoplankton and other non-blooming forming cyanobacteria in lakes J.G. Stockner, et al. 8. Soils and rice-fields B.A. Whitton. 9. Limestones A. Pentecost, B.A. Whitton. 10. Salts and brines A. Oren. 11. Oil pollution S.S. Radwan, R.H. Al-Hasan. 12. Cyanobacterial dominance in the polar regions W.F. Vincent. 13. Cyanobacteria in deserts: life at the limits? D.D. Wynn-Williams. Molecular Ecology: 14. Detecting the environment N. Mann. 15. Molecular responses to environmental stress D. Bhaya, et al. 16. Metal metabolism and metal toxicity: repetitive DNA N.J. Robinson, et al. The Organisms: 17. Nostoc M. Potts. 18. Arthrospira (Spirulina): Systematics and ecophysiology A. Vonshak, L. Tomaselli. 19. Symbiotic interactions D.G. Adams. 20. Cyanophage C. Suttle. Environmental Factors: 21. Cyanobacterial responses to UV-radiation R.W. Castenholz, F. Garcia-Pichel. Ecological Aspects of Metabolites: 22.Cyanotoxins C. Dow.

1,023 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a comprehensive overview to the biodeterioration of stone and its practical relevance for the conservation is presented. But, the authors do not consider the effects of the microbial contamination on cleaning procedures, protective treatments as well as biocidal applications.

889 citations


"Cyanobacterial Biofilms in Monument..." refers background in this paper

  • ...…organic matter naturally present in sedimentary rock (perhaps 0.2–2%), airborne particles, organic vapours, excreted metabolites and decaying biomass are used by the heterotrophs along with synthetic or natural organic substances from previous restoration treatments (Warscheid and Braams 2000 ) ....

    [...]

  • ...Colonization and growth of cyanobacteria and associated microorganisms accelerates weathering and soiling of rocks (Warscheid and Braams 2000 ; Gaylarde and Morton 2003 ) ....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A general role for coaggregation in the formation of multi-species biofilms is discussed and a process by which genetically distinct bacteria become attached to one another via specific molecules is discussed.

705 citations


"Cyanobacterial Biofilms in Monument..." refers background in this paper

  • ...…into the mucilaginous bio fi lm matrix, are synthesized by one or more of the microbial groups present within the bio fi lm and contribute to the initial stages of bio fi lm formation and to the subsequent co-aggregation and stabilisation of a multispecies community (Rickard et al. 2003 ) ....

    [...]