Abstract
Phototrophic microorganisms disfigure the surfaces of different types of stone. Stone structure is damaged by the activity of photoautotrophic and other microorganisms. However, to date few, investigations have been undertaken into the relationship between microorganisms and the properties of different types of marble. In this study, biological activity of photoautotrophic microorganisms on three types of marble (Yatagan White, Giallo Anticato and Afyon White) was investigated under laboratory conditions over a short period of time. The three types of marble supported the growth of phototrophic microbial communities on their outer and inner layers, turning their original colour from white to a yellowish green colour. The porosity of the marble types facilitated filamentous microbial growth in the presence of water. Scanning electron microscope analysis revealed the accumulation of aggregates such as small spherical, fibrillar, calcified globular bodies on the inner surfaces of the marbles. This suggests that the microscopic characteristics of particular marble types may stimulate the growth of certain types of microorganisms.
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Acknowledgments
This research, which was conducted by the corresponding author, was financially supported by the Office of Scientific Research Projects of Niğde University, Niğde, under the code FEB 2010/31. The authors would like to extend their gratitude to Niğde University for her generosity.
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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues
Zeki Karaca holds a Ph.D., Çanakkale Onsekizmart University.
Ayten Öztürk holds a Ph.D., Niğde University.
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Karaca, Z., Öztürk, A. & Çolak, E. Biofouling of marbles by oxygenic photosynthetic microorganisms. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 11285–11289 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4366-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4366-1