Speed of bacterial decay in waterlogged wood in soil and open water

Abstract

Whereas most studies on bacterial wood decay are focused on the micro level by assessing degradation patterns in wood, this study is done on macro level studying the temporal dynamics of the process of bacterial wood decay across the diameter of a wooden object. During the last 15 years information on wood quality and bacterial decay intensity from more than 5000 heads of wooden foundation piles under buildings and quay walls was collected in a database. This allowed a comparison of the performance of spruce ad pine piles under two different anoxic regimes, i.e. in organic peaty or clay soil and open water environment. Bacteria wood decay seems to be less active in an open water environment and this tendency is most clear in spruce. Bacterial infection and water dynamics in the wood are regarded as most important factors causing differences in the activity of wood degrading bacteria.