Evaluation of the effect of some biocides against organisms isolated from historic monuments

On the surfaces of monuments and buildings, organic and inorganic pollutants accumulate, as well as various microbial communities which contribute to stone decay. In order to control these organisms, we have tested some chemical products with biocide and water-repellent properties. Some of these products were tested in an agar diffusion test and on limestone slabs. Efficacy of the products and the microbial inhibition were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) techniques.