ALGAE AND BACTERIA ON HISTORIC MONUMENTS AT ALCALA DE HENARES, SPAIN

Abstract Bacteria belonging to the genera Bacillus, Micrococcus and Thiobacillus, yeast and microalgae of the Apatococcus genus colonize the building of two monuments at Alcala de Henares (Spain). In highly altered zones, polymicrobial communities were observed, mainly beneath the surface of the crusts, which demonstrated that rock surfaces are good substrates and offer possibilities for interaction among several types of populations. Microbial activity in surface layers of the stone was revealed by means of the TTC (triphenyltetrazolium chloride) test. With SEM (scanning electron microscopy), the weathering of the substrate was observed, as well as the presence of pollution particles and microbial structures.

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