Influence of fungi in the weathering of limestone of Mayan monuments
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33885/sf.2011.3.1080Keywords:
acidelysis, Aspergillus, biofilm layers, lime stone, PenicilliumAbstract
Deteriorated limestone from Mayan buildings in Yucatan, Mexico, was analyzed
with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and microprobe with energy dispersive X-ray
analysis (EDAX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy
(FTIR). Changes in surface chemical composition, caused by the biofilm layer and the
conversion of calcite into gypsum, were demonstrated. Representative fungi include
Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium and Paecilomyces. Strains of Aspergillus niger and
Penicillium sp., were selected for their ability to produce acidic metabolites. Both fungi
excreted organic acids when incubated; ion exchange chromatography identified these acids
as gluconic, succcinic-malic (coeluted) and oxalic. A. niger, the most active acid producer,
also excreted citric acid. When grown in the presence of limestone coupons, calcium release
from the mineral matrix paralleled the production of oxalic acid. However free calcium was
considerably lower in filtrates from limestone coupon-containing culture, suggesting its
complexation. SEM and EDAX confirmed that calcium oxalate crystals developed on the
surface of the stone coupons. The results show that organic-acid-producing fungi may
contribute to the deterioration of limestone monuments
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