Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Techniques applied to the study of microbial impact on building materials

  • RILEM Technical Committees
  • RILEM TC 183-MIB: ‘Microbial Impacts on Building Materials-Weathering and Conservation’
  • Published:
Materials and Structures Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper presents various techniques for materials characterisation in relation with the question of microbial impact. Application examples of some of these techniques are described as well as the respective results obtained by researchers working in this field. Additional readings are also reported.

Résumé

Cet article présente diverses techniques de caractérisation des matériaux vues sous l'angle de l'étude des impacts microbiens. Des exemples d'application de certaines d'entre elles sont décrits ainsi que les résultats obtenus par des chercheurs travaillant dans ce domaine. Une bibliographie complémentaire est également fournie.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Garagni, G., ‘Fungus contamination of Florence art masterpieces before and after the 1966 disaster’, in Walters, A.H. and Elphick, J.J., (eds) ‘Deterioration and Protection of Materials’, Volume 1 (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1968) 252–257.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Collins, C.H. and Lyne, P.M., ‘Microbiological methods’, 5th ed. (Butterworths, London, 1985).

    Google Scholar 

  3. De Graef, B., De Windt, W., De Belie, N. and Verstraete, W., ‘Cleaning of concrete fouled by algae with the aid of Thiobacilli’, Proceedings of the Second International RILEM Workshop on Microbial Impact on Building Materials. RILEM TC 183-MIB, Vitória-ES, Brazil, 7–9 July 2004.

  4. Dick, J., De Windt, W., De Graef, B., Saveyn, H., De Belie, N. and Verstraete, W., ‘Biodeposition of a calcium carbonate layer on degraded limestone byBacillus sphaericus’,Biodegradation, submitted (2004).

  5. De Muynck, W., Dick, J., De Graef, B., De Windt, W., Verstraete, W. and De Belie, N., ‘Microbial ureolytic calcium carbonate precipitation for remediation of concrete surfaces’, International conference on concrete repair, rehabilitation and retrofitting, Cape Town, South Africa, 21–23 November 2005.

  6. Herrera, L.K., ‘Materials characterization and surface analysis’, Key Note Lecture, RILEM TC 183-MIB Conference, Lisbon, Portugal, CD Rom 2003.

  7. Videla, H.A. and Herrera, L.K., ‘A comparative study on biodeterioration and weathering effects in three sites of the Latin American cultural heritage’, in ‘Molecular Biology and Cultural Heritage’, C. Saiz Jiménez, ed. (A.A. Balkema Publishers, Lisse, The Netherlands, 2003) 253–258.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Herrera, L.K., Arroyave, C. and Videla, H.A., ‘Atmospheric and biological deterioration of two churches from the cultural heritage of the city of Medellín, Colombia’, in ‘Molecular Biology and Cultural Heritage’, C. Saiz Jiménez, ed. (A.A. Balkema Publishers, Lisse The Netherlands, 2003) 271–276.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Videla, H.A., Herrera, L.K., Saiz-Jiménez, C., Gonzalez, J.M. and Poire, D.G., ‘NOVEL methods for the assessment of biodeterioration of stone monuments’, Corrosion/2004, Paper 04585 (13 p.) NACE International, 2004.

  10. De Belie, N., Verschoore, R. and Van Gemert, D., ‘Microscopic study on concrete attacked by organic acids’, Proceedings of the Sixth Euroseminar on Microscopy Applied to Building Materials, Reykjavik, Iceland, 25–27 June 1997, 250–258.

  11. Proceedings of the International Symposium Pore Structure and Properties of Materials, Prague, September 18–21, 1973. Eds. S. Modrý and M. Svata, in six volumes (Prague, Academia, 1973 and 1974).

    Google Scholar 

  12. Winslow, D.N. and Diamond, S., ‘Measurement of the specific surface of hardened Portland cement paste by small-angle X-ray scattering’ (Porosimetry and its application III. [in Czech]) Praha, December 17, 1975, Ed. S. Modrý (Praha, CSVTS, 1976) 41–56.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Modrý, S., ‘A discussion of the paper “The dependence of the mechanical strength of porous silica on its porosity” by K. Unger and H. Fischer’, Proceedings of the International Symposium Pore Structure and Properties of Materials, Prague, September 18–21, 1973. Eds. S. Modrý and M. Svata. Final Report-Part III (Prague, Academia, 1974) D323–328.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Modrý, S. and Hejduk, J., ‘The limitation of high pressure mercury porosimetry to the study of hardened cement pastes’, Proceedings 7th International Congress on the Chemistry of Cement. Vol. IV, (Paris, Editions Septima, 1980) 387–389.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Modrý, S., ‘Study of pore size distribution and shape of pores by means of a mercury porosimeter and microscopical method II. Porosimetry and its application’ [in Czech], Praha, October 10, 1972. Ed. S. Modrý (Praha CSVTS, 1972) 99–113.

  16. Diamond, S., ‘Mercury porosimetry. An inappropriate method for the measurement of pore size distributions in cement-based materials’,Cement and Concrete Research 30 (10) (2000) 1517–1525.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Modrý, S., ‘The influence of porous structure of cement stone and its resistance to action of sulphates. Change in porous structure in the course of sulphate corrosion’, Proceedings RILEM International Symposium Durability of Concrete—1969. Final Report, Part II. Ed. V. Valenta (Praha, Academia 1970) C225–231.

    Google Scholar 

  18. De Belie, N., Monteny, J., Beeldens, A., Vincke, E., Van Gemert, D. and Verstraete, W., ‘Experimental research and modelling of the effect of chemical and biogenic sulfuric acid on different types of commercially produced concrete sewer pipes’,Cement and Concrete Research 34 (2004) 2223–2236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. De Belie, N., ‘Concrete technological and chemical aspects of floor degradation in pig houses’, Ph.D. thesis, Ghent University, Belgium (1997).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Ribas Silva, M., ‘La diversification climatique et la dégradation du béton’, in ‘Dealing with Defects in Building’, Proceedings of an International Symposium, Varenna, Sept. 1994 (Sartori, Internat. Council for Building Research Studies & Documentation, Varenna, 1994) v. 1. 471–480.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Ribas Silva, M., ‘Biological deterioration of concrete observed in Brazilian Structures’,International Journal for Restoration of Buildings 1–2 (1995) 153–157.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Ribas Silva, M., ‘The role of the scanning electron microscopy on the study of concrete biodeterioration’, in ‘Sixth Euroseminar on Microscopy Applied to Building Materials’, Proceedings of an International Seminar, Reykjavik, June 1997 (Iceland Building Research Institute, Reykjavik, 1997) 325–334.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Vincke, E., Boon, N. and Verstraete, W., ‘Analysis of the microbial communities on corroded sewer pipes—Case study’,Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 57 (5–6) (2001) 776–785.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Appendix: Additional Readings a) Sampling with adhesive tape

  1. Garagni, G., ‘Fungus contamination of Florence art masterpieces before and after the 1966 disaster’, in Walters, A.H., Elphick, J.J. (eds) ‘Deterioration and Protection of Materials, Volume 1 (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1968) 252–257.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Gaylarde, P.M. and Gaylarde, C.C., ‘A rapid method for the detection of algae and cyanobacteria on the external surfaces of buildings’, in Gaylarde, C.C., Barbosa, T.C.P., Gabilan, N.H. (eds) ‘LABS 3 Biodegradation and Biodeterioration in Latin America’, The British Phycological Society, UK. Paper no. 37, 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Shirakawa, M.A., Gaylarde, C.C., Gaylarde, P.M., John, V., and Gambale, W., ‘Fungal colonization and succession on newly painted buildings and the effect of biocide’,FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 39 (2002) 165–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Urzi, C. and De Leo, F., ‘Sampling with adhesive tape strips: an easy and rapid method to monitor microbial colonisation on monument surfaces’,Journal of Microbiological Methods 44 (2001) 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Cell counts

  1. Beech, I.B., Tapper, R. and Gaylarde, C., ‘Microbiological methods for the study of biocorrosion’, in Lemaitre C, Pebere N & Festy D, eds. (Biodeterioration des Materiaux, EDP Sciences, 1998).

  2. Collins, C.H. and Lyne, P.M., ‘Microbiological Methods’, fifth edition (Butterworths, London, 1985).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Rosswall, T., ‘Modern methods in the study of microbial ecology’, Proceedings of a symposium sponsored by the Swedish National Committee of the International Biological Programme, the Ecological Research Committee of the Swedish Natural Science Research Council and the IAMS Commission on Microbial Ecology, held at Uppsala, Sweden in June 1972, Swedish Natural Science Research Council, Stockholm (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Salanki, J., ‘Biological monitoring of the environment: a manual of methods’, (Cab International, Wallingford, 1994).

    Google Scholar 

Fluorescent cell staining

  1. Rossoni, E.M.M. and Gaylarde, C.C., ‘Comparison of sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid as sanitising agents for stainless steel food processing surfaces using epifluorescence microscopy’,Intl. J. Food Microbiol. 61 (2000) 81–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. www.cemunex.com/literature/biblio.htm.

  3. www.gonda.ucla.edu/bri_core/gfp.htm.

  4. www.shef.ac.uk/∼ifpm/gfp.html

Detection of biomolecules

  1. Bianchi, H.K. (ed.) ‘IDEAS—Investigations into Devices against Environmental Attack on Stones’ (Geesthacht: GKSS Forsch. Geesthacht GmH, 1994).

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ortega-Morales, O., Guezennec, J., Hernandez-Duque, G., Gaylarde, C.C. and Gaylarde, P.M., ‘Phototrophic biofilms on ancient Mayan buildings in Yucatan, Mexico’,Current Microbiol. 40 (2000) 81–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Pasanen, A.L., Pietila, K.Y., Pasanen, P., Kaliokoski, P. and Tarhanen, J., ‘Ergosterol content in various fungal species and biocontaminated building materials’,Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 65 (1999) 138–142.

    Google Scholar 

DNA analytical methods

  1. Kim, S.H., Uzunovic, A. and Breuil, C., ‘Rapid detection ofOphiostoma piceae andO. quercus in stained wood by PCR’,Appl. Env. Microbiol 65 (1999) 287–290.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Nübel, U., Garcia-Pichel, F. and Muyzer, G., ‘PCR primers to amplify 16S rRNA genes from cyanobacteria’,Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 63 (1997) 3327–3332.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Rölleke, S., Muyzer, G., Wawer, C., Wanner, G. and Lubitz, W., ‘Identification of bacteria in a biodegraded wall painting by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of PCR-amplified gene fragment coding for 16S r RNA.Appl. Env. Microbiol. 62 (1996) 2059–2065.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Saad, D.S., Kinsey, G., Paterson, R., Kim, S. and Gaylarde, C.C., ‘Molecular methods for analysis of fungal growth on painted surfaces’, 4LABS—4th Latin American Biodeterioration & Biodegradation Symposium, Buenos Aires, Argentina 16–20, April, 2001. Published on CD-ROM.

  5. Schabereiter-Gurtner, C., Piñar, G., Lubitz, W. and Rölleke, S., ‘An advanced molecular strategy to identify bacterial commnities on art objects’,J. Microbiol. Meths.,45 (2001) 77–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Urzi, C. and Albertano, P., ‘Studying phototrophic and heterotrophic microbial communities on stone monuments’, in Doyle, R.J. (Ed.), ‘Methods in Enzymology Vol. 336, Microbial Growth in Biofilms Part A: Developmental and molecular biological aspects’, (Academic Press, San Diego, 2001) 340–355.

    Google Scholar 

Immunological methods

  1. Gaylarde, C. and Cook, P., ‘New rapid methods for the identification of sulphate-reducing bacteria’,Internat. Biodeter,26 (1990) 337–345

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Lopes, P.T.C. and Gaylarde, C.C., ‘Use of immunofluorescence to detectHormoconis resinae in aviation kerosene’,Internat. Biodeter. Biodegr. 37 (1996) 37–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Mineralogical calculation

  1. Deloye, F.X., ‘L'analyse des bétons durcis’ (Laboratoire Central des Ponts et Chaussées, Paris, 1986) 80.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ribas Silva, M., ‘Techniques d'observation et analyse (Técnicas de observação e análise)’, Trad. Paulo Cesar Ribas Silva. Mestrado de Estruturas (Universidade de Brasília, Brazil 1996) 21.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ribas Silva, M. and Deloye, F.X., ‘Diagnostic method for deterioration of concrete structures’, in Proc. 2nd RILEM Conference Diagnosis of Concrete Structures, Strbske-Pleso, Slovakia (Réunion Internationale des Laboratoires d'Essais et de Recherches sur les Matériaux et les Constructions, 1995) 123–128.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Paisley, Scotland

    R. G. Welton

  2. PPGEC/CT/UFES, Brazil

    M. Ribas Silva

  3. UFRGS/MIRCEN, Brazil

    C. Gaylarde

  4. University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia

    L. K. Herrera & X. Anleo

  5. Ghent University, Belgium

    N. De Belie

  6. Klokner Institute, Czech Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic

    S. Modrý

Authors
  1. R. G. Welton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Ribas Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. C. Gaylarde
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. L. K. Herrera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. X. Anleo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. N. De Belie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. S. Modrý
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

TC Membership-Chairperson: Moema Ribas Silva, Brazil;Members: Peter J. M. Bartos, United Kingdom; Nele De Belie, Belgium; Arnaud Dubosc, France; Gilles Escadeillas, France; Georg Hilbert, Germany; Jörg Kropp, Germany; Hülya Kus, Sweden; Sylva Modrý, Czech Republic; Lina Nunes, Portugal; Moshe Puterman, Israel; Paul Raschle, Switzerland; Vilma G. Rosato, Argentina; Bertrand Ruot, France; Irina Wasserman, Israel; Ryan G. Welton, United Kingdom.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Welton, R.G., Silva, M.R., Gaylarde, C. et al. Techniques applied to the study of microbial impact on building materials. Mat. Struct. 38, 883–893 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02482255

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02482255

Keywords

Search

Navigation