Bacterial degradation of sandstone at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Rani-ki-Vav, India: A multi-analytical diagnostic study

A multi-analytical study at Rani-ki-Vav, a UNESCO World Heritage stepwell in India, reveals that bacterial biofilm and metabolic activity drive sandstone decay through complex microchemical processes. The research identifies key degradation pathways involving organic acid production, mineral dissolution, metal chelation, moisture retention, and salt crystallization, which collectively weaken the sandstone matrix. Using XRD, FTIR, LC-MS/MS, GC–MS/MS, and 16S rRNA profiling, the study detected a diverse microbiome dominated by Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria, alongside specific metabolites like glycolic acid and cysteinyl-serine that contribute to mineral degradation. These findings provide a chemical basis for targeted conservation strategies to mitigate biodeterioration in sandstone heritage sites.

Priyadarshi, R., Priyadarshi, G., Patel, R., Bhandari, S., Majumdar, S., Bagatharia, S., & Patel, A. (2026). Bacterial degradation of sandstone at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Rani-ki-Vav, India: A multi-analytical diagnostic study. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 82, 96–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.culher.2026.09.003