The removal of biological colonization on building materials of cultural heritage is a difficult challenge, as the treatment must completely eliminate the biological patina without altering the treated substrate and possibly delaying new colonization. With the aimof searching for systems to minimize the biocide impact on the substrate, the environment and the operators, different alginate– oxidizing biocide hydrogels were previously tested and optimized in the laboratory and here selected for application in situ. The churches “San Pietro Barisano” and “Madonna dei Derelitti”, located in the Sassi of Matera (UNESCO World Heritage Site in Basilicata region, Italy), were chosen as case studies. They differ in terms of both the environmental conditions and the microorganisms responsible for colonization. Colorimetric measurements and microscopic investigation proved the efficacy of biocide hydrogels in removing biopatinas and in restoring the original chromaticity of the selected treated surfaces of both sites. After the biocidal treatments, new protective acrylic coatings were applied to prevent recolonization and minimize the loss of material grains. Samples collected, immediately after and two years later, established the absence of biological colonization, demonstrating the long-term efficacy of the proposed restoration protocol.

Application and Monitoring of Oxidative Alginate–Biocide Hydrogels for Two Case Studies in “The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera”

Gabriele, Francesco;Casieri, Cinzia;Spreti, Nicoletta
2022-01-01

Abstract

The removal of biological colonization on building materials of cultural heritage is a difficult challenge, as the treatment must completely eliminate the biological patina without altering the treated substrate and possibly delaying new colonization. With the aimof searching for systems to minimize the biocide impact on the substrate, the environment and the operators, different alginate– oxidizing biocide hydrogels were previously tested and optimized in the laboratory and here selected for application in situ. The churches “San Pietro Barisano” and “Madonna dei Derelitti”, located in the Sassi of Matera (UNESCO World Heritage Site in Basilicata region, Italy), were chosen as case studies. They differ in terms of both the environmental conditions and the microorganisms responsible for colonization. Colorimetric measurements and microscopic investigation proved the efficacy of biocide hydrogels in removing biopatinas and in restoring the original chromaticity of the selected treated surfaces of both sites. After the biocidal treatments, new protective acrylic coatings were applied to prevent recolonization and minimize the loss of material grains. Samples collected, immediately after and two years later, established the absence of biological colonization, demonstrating the long-term efficacy of the proposed restoration protocol.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Coatings-Gabriele et al., 2022.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: Articolo principale
Tipologia: Documento in Versione Editoriale
Licenza: Dominio pubblico
Dimensione 4.84 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
4.84 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11697/183912
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 6
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 6
social impact