Microbial biofilm community structure and composition on the lithic substrates of Herculaneum Suburban Baths

Light availability emerges as the key factor shaping microbial biofilm communities within the Herculaneum Suburban Baths. The study reveals distinct community structures along an irradiation gradient, with a dark, plaster-associated community dominated by Bacteria, Fungi, and cyanobacteria contrasting with dim, mortar-linked communities rich in Chlorophyta. Photoautotrophs dominate nearly all sites, while Fungi and Bacteria play minor roles. Confocal microscopy and molecular techniques (DGGE) further demonstrated that biofilm structural properties vary even within the same substrate, highlighting the baths as an environment-shaped ecosystem where substrate-specific communities interact along a light gradient.

De Natale, A., Mele, B. H., Cennamo, P., Del Mondo, A., Petraretti, M., & Pollio, A. (2020). Microbial biofilm community structure and composition on the lithic substrates of Herculaneum Suburban Baths. Plos One, 15(5), e0232512. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232512