Bacterial and Archaeal Structural Diversity in Several Biodeterioration Patterns on the Limestone Walls of the Old Cathedral of Coimbra

A study of the Old Cathedral of Coimbra reveals that bacterial and archaeal communities contributing to biodeterioration are highly diverse and adaptable to harsh conditions. While these microbes form complex biofilms, their distribution is more strongly influenced by abiotic factors such as water availability and salinity rather than specific deterioration patterns. The research used Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to analyze samples from deteriorated limestone walls in three chapels, identifying dominant phylogenetic groups but finding no clear link between microbial communities and distinct biodeterioration types. These findings suggest that microbial populations interact dynamically with algal and fungal species, offering critical insights for the preservation of historic stone monuments.

Coelho, C., Mesquita, N., Costa, I., Soares, F., Trovão, J., Freitas, H., Portugal, A., & Tiago, I. (2021). Bacterial and Archaeal Structural Diversity in Several Biodeterioration Patterns on the Limestone Walls of the Old Cathedral of Coimbra. Microorganisms, 9(4), 709. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9040709