Methodological approaches to the control of phototrophic biofilms colonizing subterranean sites in the Mediterranean area

Abstract

The widespread presence of cyanobacteria-dominated phototrophic biofilms in hypogean sites open to the public in Italy, Malta and Spain has been monitored over the years. These microbial communities have been studied to determine their diversity, to characterize their structure and the relationships between their microorganisms and the colonised substrata and to prevent their growth on stone surfaces. Our results showed that the adopted non-destruction approach was successful in identifying and eradicating the photorophic microflora involved in the different patterns of biodeterioration and confirmed the suitabilily of the applied methodologics for monitoring and conservation of stone Cultural Heritage.