Status Report: Ongoing Studies of the Susceptibility of Stone Consolidants to Microbiologically Induced Deterioration

Over a 35-day period a testing methodology was employed to assess the biodeterioration susceptibility of thin films of 15 stone consolidants that had been or are being used in the stone conservation field. The program utilized inoculation of mixed fungal cultures onto thin films of the consolidants alone, without added substrates. A visual scoring regimen was employed to assess the biodeterioration of each consolidant. The initial results of our ongoing investigations are discussed in the context of determining the most microbiologically resistant of the consolidants studied. The utility of the testing methodology employed as an initial screening tool prior to a full scale in-situ test is discussed.