RT Journal Article
T1 Role of masonry fabric subsurface moisture on biocolonisation. A case study
A1 Prieto Lamas, Beatriz
A1 Young, M.E.
A1 Turmel, Aurélie
A1 Fuentes Alonso, Elsa
K1 Bioreceptivity
K1 Cultural heritage
K1 Moisture
K1 Non-destructive technology
AB High moisture is one of the main factors favouring the growth of algae and other organisms on stone surfaces. However, little is known about the specific effects of subsurface moisture on this process. Some regions will be exposed to longer periods of humidity and rainfall as a result of climate change. Understanding the role and internal dynamics of moisture in stone is therefore essential to enable development of mechanisms for controlling biological colonisation and thus preventing biodeterioration. The present case study is a preliminary investigation of the role of subsurface moisture in the biocolonisation process and was conducted on the walls of the Guard House of Stirling Castle. Moisture was measured at depth (up to 3, 11 and 30 cm) in both interior and exterior walls of the building with a portable device based on non-destructive microwave technology. Data were analysed in relation to the orientation of the walls, type of stone and biocolonisation. The subsurface moisture between 3 and 11 cm was found to play an important role in supporting colonising organisms on the building by modulating bioreceptivity
PB Elsevier
YR 2022
FD 2022
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10347/27902
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10347/27902
LA eng
NO Building and Environment 210 (2022) 108690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108690
NO This study was partly financed through project CGL2016-79778-R (AEI/FEDER, UE) and Xunta de Galicia (ED431 2018/32). E. Fuentes was financially supported by a PhD Fellowship-Contract MICINN-FPI (BES-2017-079927)
DS Minerva
RD 24 abr 2026