Scanning Microscopy Techniques as an Assessment Tool of Materials and Interventions for the Protection of Built Cultural Heritage

Scanning microscopy techniques have emerged as powerful scientific tools for analysing materials of architectural or archaeological interest, since the commercialization of the first scanning electron microscopy instrumentation in the early 60s. This study is aimed at reviewing and highlighting the significance of several scanning microscopy techniques employed in the protection of built heritage. The diffusion of scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis (SEM-EDX) is proven to be the widest among the available scanning microscopy techniques, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) applications are steadily present in the field of built heritage protection. The building material characterization, the weathering mechanism investigation, and the development of compatible and performing conservation materials are some major research areas where the application of the aforementioned techniques is discussed. The range of techniques, along with aspects of instrumentation and sample preparation are, also, considered.

[1]  Tsuyoshi Murata,et al.  {m , 1934, ACML.

[2]  A. Langella,et al.  Multi-analytical characterization and provenance identification of protohistoric metallic artefacts from Picentia-Pontecagnano and the Sarno valley sites, Campania, Italy , 2018, Measurement.

[3]  P. Maravelaki-Kalaitzaki,et al.  Black crusts and patinas on Pentelic marble from the Parthenon and Erechtheum (Acropolis, Athens): characterization and origin , 2005 .

[4]  Stefan M. Luthi,et al.  Quantitative Characterization of Carbonate Pore Systems by Digital Image Analysis , 1998 .

[5]  I. Karatasios,et al.  Technological and microstructural characterization of mortars and plasters from the Roman site of Qasr Azraq, in Jordan , 2018, Journal of Cultural Heritage.

[6]  O. Lindqvist,et al.  Efflorescence on thin sections of calcareous stones , 2003 .

[7]  E. Rauch,et al.  A novelty for cultural heritage material analysis: Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) 3D electron diffraction tomography applied to Roman glass tesserae , 2018 .

[8]  F. Quintero,et al.  Removal of graffiti from quarry stone by high power diode laser , 2013 .

[9]  A. Moropoulou,et al.  Characterization of the lumps in the mortars of historic masonry , 1995 .

[10]  Antonia Moropoulou,et al.  Origin and growth of weathering crusts on ancient marbles in industrial atmosphere , 1998 .

[11]  Th. Skoulikidis,et al.  Mechanism of Sulphation by Atmospheric SO2 of the Limestones and Marbles of the Ancient Monuments and Statues: II. Hypothesis concerning the rate determining step in the process of sulphation, and its experimental confirmation , 1981 .

[12]  Mikhail V. Kovalchuk,et al.  Electron microscopy methods in studies of cultural heritage sites , 2016 .

[13]  C. Urzì.  Microbial Deterioration of Rocks and Marble Monuments of the Mediterranean Basin: A Review , 2004 .

[14]  B. Arbad,et al.  Characterization of traditional mud mortar of the decorated wall surfaces of Ellora caves , 2014 .

[15]  Carolina Cardell,et al.  Applying Digital Image Processing to SEM-EDX and BSE Images to Determine and Quantify Porosity and Salts with Depth in Porous Media , 2002 .

[16]  Guido Biscontin,et al.  Characterization of binders employed in the manufacture of Venetian historical mortars , 2002 .

[17]  Cristina Sabbioni,et al.  An analysis of the black crusts from the Seville Cathedral: a challenge to deepen the understanding of the relationships among microstructure, microchemical features and pollution sources. , 2015, The Science of the total environment.

[18]  J. Delgado Rodrigues,et al.  Indicators and ratings for the compatibility assessment of conservation actions , 2007 .

[19]  E. Franzoni,et al.  Repair of sugaring marble by ammonium phosphate: Comparison with ethyl silicate and ammonium oxalate and pilot application to historic artifact , 2015 .

[20]  J. S. Pozo-Antonio,et al.  Effectiveness of chemical, mechanical and laser cleaning methods of sulphated black crusts developed on granite , 2016 .

[21]  Antonia Moropoulou,et al.  Investigation of the technology of historic mortars , 2000 .

[22]  M. Veiga,et al.  Evolution of the microstructure of lime based mortars and influence on the mechanical behaviour: The role of the aggregates , 2018, Construction and Building Materials.

[23]  A. S. Silva,et al.  Mineralogical and chemical characterization of historical mortars from military fortifications in Lisbon harbour (Portugal) , 2011 .

[24]  Siegfried Siegesmund,et al.  Stone in Architecture: Properties, Durability , 2011 .

[25]  Rocío Ortiz,et al.  Comparative study of pulsed laser cleaning applied to weathered marble surfaces , 2013 .

[26]  J. Lanas,et al.  MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF NATURAL HYDRAULIC LIME-BASED MORTARS , 2004 .

[27]  P ? ? ? ? ? ? ? % ? ? ? ? , 1991 .

[28]  W. Krumbein,et al.  Biodeterioration of ancient stone materials from the Persepolis monuments (Iran) , 2008 .

[29]  Lucia Toniolo,et al.  Bacterial and fungal deterioration of the Milan Cathedral marble treated with protective synthetic resins. , 2007, The Science of the total environment.

[30]  Raimondo Quaresima,et al.  The nanolimes in Cultural Heritage conservation: Characterisation and analysis of the carbonatation process , 2008 .

[31]  P. Theoulakis,et al.  Dry deposition effect of marine aerosol to the building stone of the medieval city of Rhodes, Greece , 2009 .

[32]  A. Moropoulou,et al.  Salt Crystal Growth as Weathering Mechanism of Porous Stone on Historic Masonry , 1999 .

[33]  V. Lazic,et al.  Applications of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for cultural heritage: A comparison with X-ray Fluorescence and Particle Induced X-ray Emission techniques , 2018, Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy.

[34]  Vitruvius Pollio,et al.  Ten Books on Architecture , 2019 .

[35]  Masahiro Yoshimura,et al.  AFM analysis of initial stage of reaction between calcite and phosphate , 2004 .

[36]  Antonia Moropoulou,et al.  Advanced Byzantine cement based composites resisting earthquake stresses: the crushed brick/lime mortars of Justinian's Hagia Sophia , 2002 .

[37]  Ioannis Zuburtikudis,et al.  Superhydrophobic films for the protection of outdoor cultural heritage assets , 2009 .

[38]  M. Sayagués,et al.  Synergy achieved in silver-TiO2 nanocomposites for the inhibition of biofouling on limestone , 2018, Building and Environment.

[39]  D. Pinna.  Biofilms and lichens on stone monuments: do they damage or protect? , 2014, Front. Microbiol..

[40]  Pilar Ortiz,et al.  Integration of georeferenced informed system and digital image analysis to asses the effect of cars pollution on historical buildings , 2017 .

[41]  C. Marean,et al.  Evidence for stone-tool-assisted consumption of animal tissues before 3.39 million years ago at Dikika, Ethiopia , 2010, Nature.

[42]  G. Biscontin,et al.  Interaction between clay and lime in "cocciopesto" mortars: a study by 29Si MAS spectroscopy , 2004 .

[43]  Piero Baglioni,et al.  Stable dispersions of Ca(0H)2 in aliphatic alcohols: properties and application in cultural heritage conservation , 2001 .

[44]  G. Biscontin,et al.  Characterization and reactivity of silicatic consolidants , 2007 .

[45]  Rocío Ortiz,et al.  Digital image analysis and EDX SEM as combined techniques to evaluate salt damp on walls , 2013 .

[46]  Antonia Moropoulou,et al.  Composite materials in ancient structures , 2005 .

[47]  N. Eastaugh.  Pigment compendium : a dictionary and optical microscopy of historical pigments , 2008 .

[48]  E. Zendri,et al.  Incorporation of the zosteric sodium salt in silica nanocapsules: synthesis and characterization of new fillers for antifouling coatings , 2018 .

[49]  Antonia Moropoulou,et al.  NDT&E techniques and SEM-EDS for the assessment of cleaning interventions on Pentelic marble surfaces , 2008 .

[50]  A. Gorbushina,et al.  Biodecay of cultural heritage as a space/time-related ecological situation — an evaluation of a series of studies , 2000 .

[51]  Antonia Moropoulou,et al.  Advanced and Novel Methodology for Scientific Support on Decision-Making for Stone Cleaning , 2018 .

[52]  W. Marsden.  I and J , 2012 .

[53]  Piotr Klemm,et al.  Removal of graffiti from the mortar by using Q-switched Nd:YAG laser , 2007 .

[54]  J. S. Pozo-Antonio,et al.  Microscopic characterisation of black crusts on different substrates. , 2017, The Science of the total environment.

[55]  María Teresa Doménech-Carbó,et al.  Novel analytical methods for characterising binding media and protective coatings in artworks. , 2008, Analytica chimica acta.

[56]  Sasha Chapman,et al.  Laser technology for graffiti removal , 2000 .

[57]  Th. Skoulikidis,et al.  Mechanism of Sulphation by Atmospheric SO2 of the Limestones and Marbles of the Ancient Monuments and Statues: I. Observations in situ (Acropolis) and laboratory measurements , 1981 .

[58]  Jan Elsen,et al.  Microscopy of historic mortars—a review , 2006 .

[59]  A. Moropoulou,et al.  REVERSE ENGINEERING: A PROPER METHODOLOGY FOR COMPATIBLE RESTORATION MORTARS , 2009 .

[60]  Mathieu Thoury,et al.  Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectroscopy of Picasso's Harlequin Musician: Mapping and Identification of Artist Materials in Situ , 2010, Applied spectroscopy.

[61]  Maria Apostolopoulou,et al.  Compatible Mortars for the Sustainable Conservation of Stone in Masonries , 2018 .

[62]  I. Rezić,et al.  Simple methods for characterization of metals in historical textile threads. , 2010, Talanta.

[63]  A. Moropoulou,et al.  Digital processing of SEM images for the assessment of evaluation indexes of cleaning interventions on Pentelic marble surfaces , 2007 .

[64]  Antonia Moropoulou,et al.  ACCELERATED MICROSTRUCTURAL EVOLUTION OF A CALCIUM-SILICATE-HYDRATE (C-S-H) PHASE IN POZZOLANIC PASTES USING FINE SILICEOUS SOURCES: COMPARISON WITH HISTORIC POZZOLANIC MORTARS , 2004 .

[65]  A. Nieto-Villena,et al.  Exploring confocal microscopy to analyze ancient photography , 2019, Journal of Cultural Heritage.

[66]  L. Dei,et al.  Gels as Cleaning Agents in Cultural Heritage Conservation , 2006 .

[67]  P. Sciau.  Chapter Two – Transmission Electron Microscopy: Emerging Investigations for Cultural Heritage Materials , 2016 .