Environmental Factors Causing the Development of Microorganisms on the Surfaces of National Cultural Monuments Made of Mineral Building Materials—Review

Elżbieta Stanaszek-Tomal

doi:10.3390/coatings10121203

Abstract

The ability of microorganisms to degrade building materials depends on several factors. Biological corrosion occurs in close dependence with chemical and physical factors affecting microorganisms. The growth and development of microorganisms is stimulated by external stimuli, i.e., environmental factors. Microorganisms have a relatively large tolerance range for changes in environmental conditions. Under the right conditions, microorganisms thrive very well. The adverse effects may cause the inhibition of cell growth, damage, or lead to the death of the microorganism. Considering the impact of environmental factors on microorganisms, it is not possible to identify the most important of them. The result effect of overlapping factors determines the possibility of the growth of certain microorganisms. The main factors affecting the growth are temperature, humidity, hydrogen ion concentration in the environment, oxidoreductive potential, water activity in the environment, and hydrostatic pressure. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the factors causing biodeterioration. The influence of external/internal environment on the surface of cultural monuments made of mineral building materials, i.e., stone, concrete, mortar, etc., is presented.

Highlights

The problem of destruction of building materials by microorganisms, i.e., molds and bacteria, is a challenge for today’s material developers [1]. They may be originally contaminated with microorganisms
An important factor related to microbial infestation is the lack of air movement, which is typical non-heating i.e., theThe summer whichcan climatic conditions indoors are similar during theseason, heating season
The following biodeterioration processes occur here: biofilm formation) (EPS) narrowing of the pores of the scale, which leads to an increase in capillary rise of water; biocorrosion due to the release of inorganic and organic acids by microorganisms

Summary

Introduction

The problem of destruction of building materials by microorganisms, i.e., molds and bacteria, is a challenge for today’s material developers [1]. They may be originally contaminated with microorganisms. Biochemical degradation processes include processes of assimilation and dissimilation, and loss of MOE (modulus of elasticity), MOR (modulus of rupture), or mass [4] The former process occurs when organisms digest the material for food. The ability of microorganisms degrade materials dependsfactors on several factors. The growth microorganisms stimulated external stimuli, the i.e., Biodeterioration takes placeand in development close relationofto the chemical is and physicalbyfactors affecting environmental factors.

Factors Influencing the Development of Microorganisms

Inside

Outside

Findings

Conclusions