Abstract
Plasma etching is an innovative technique that has been recently applied in the cleaning of soiled archaeological objects. This research investigated the use of low-pressure plasma etching in cleaning microbial contaminations on an oolitic limestone from an UNESCO World Heritage listed monument: the Batalha Monastery in Central Portugal. The cleaning effect was assessed by FTIR, SEM, optical microscope, and cell viability index measurement. Experimental work suggests that plasma discharge can cause rupture in the microbial cell structures and is helpful in removing microorganisms from the surface of the stone. At the macroscopic level, detachment of microbial crust was also observed in plasma etched bio-deteriorated limestone surfaces. Furthermore, plasma etching can inhibit the microbial growth by decomposing and eliminating the sugar-containing compounds on the limestones, thus eliminating a major nutrient supply for microbial metabolism and reproduction. Plasma etching can therefore be regarded as a fast and eco-friendly conservation tool for stone heritage architecture to prevent/reduce the onset of bio-colonization and biodegradation.
Highlights
During the aging of cultural heritage objects, stone artifacts may undergo decay under the effects of different kinds of contamination
This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of plasma etching in the removal of microbials from bio-deteriorated limestone surfaces in monuments and buildings and in the prevention of microorganism growth, in order to provide conservators with a feasible and effective solution for preserving stone monuments in both urban and rural environments
This research aims to discuss the performance of lowpressure plasma etching in the removal of microbial biofilm on building limestones
Summary
During the aging of cultural heritage objects, stone artifacts may undergo decay under the effects of different kinds of contamination. Through dry and wet depositional processes, soil dust, insects, mildew, fungi and gaseous and particulate air pollutants accumulate on stone surface building up patinas and crusts, which are difficult to remove without damaging the original substrate [1]-[3]. For instance, was used in an attempt to remove: a) varnish (lacquer) coating on paintings using oxygen plasma [6]; b) epoxy / acrylic resin on stones by using compressed air or mix of oxygen and argon plasma [7], [8]; c) cleaning patinas on metal artefacts using hydrogen plasma [9]. It was proved that plasma can successfully remove the above-mentioned contaminations without damaging the substrate
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