Building materials and conservation

Geomycology and the broader study of microbial interactions with stone, mortar, and mineral surfaces sit at the intersection of earth science and conservation, examining how fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms chemically and physically transform the materials that make up historic buildings, sculptures, and archaeological sites. These organisms can accelerate rock weathering through acid secretion, salt crystallization, and the mechanical pressure of hyphal growth, while paradoxically offering tools for bioremediation—using carefully selected microbial communities to consolidate damaged surfaces or remove harmful deposits. Understanding which species colonize a given substrate, under what environmental conditions, and through what biochemical pathways remains an active challenge, particularly as climate change alters the moisture and temperature regimes that govern microbial activity on outdoor monuments. Researchers are also working to reconcile the long-term durability of traditional lime mortars with their susceptibility to biological colonization, seeking conservation strategies that slow deterioration without disrupting the ecological balance that, in some cases, may actually stabilize fragile surfaces.

Works

68,453

Total citations

433,058

Keywords

GeomycologyBiodeteriorationBioremediationCultural HeritageRock WeatheringMicrobial Diversity