Since prehistoric times and throughout the course of human evolution, wood has been an integral part of all civilizations. Wooden Cultural Heritage can be found worldwide, providing valuable information on the social and economic context of human history. Nonetheless, as a natural cellulosic material, wood shows low resistance to biodeterioration and thus wooden Cultural Heritage often fails to escape decomposition in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. This book provides a comprehensive overview on the biodeterioration of wooden Cultural Heritage and describes the decay mechanisms of key organisms and microorganisms encountered in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Cultural Heritage professionals, researchers and academics may explore within this book the associations between deteriogens, habitats and decay, which will assist them to understand wood biodeterioration and design effective prevention, mitigation and remediation strategies. The book presents case studies around the world to demonstrate the impact of biogenic deterioration on wooden Cultural Heritage and illustrates mechanisms and patterns in order to be a useful handbook of decay diagnosis. Lastly, by adopting a holistic approach to wood decay, basic concepts of wood technology, ecology, and deteriogens' biology are introduced, permitting readers of different scientific backgrounds to easily comprehend wood biodeterioration.

Once again the present volume contains the majority of the papers presented at the Third Pan-American Biodeterioration Society Meeting held at The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., USA, on August 3, 4, 5, and 6, 1989. The sponsors for this symposium included The George Washington University, The Smithsonian Institution, The Virginia Department of Health, The University of Connecticut, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Clark Atlanta University, Ball State University, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, the Agriculture Research Service/U. S. Department of Agriculture, the University of Georgia, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Morehouse College, the University of Texas at Houston, North Carolina State University, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Forest Service/U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program was developed by members of the Program, Planning, and Organizing Committee. Leading scientists in specific topic areas were invited. Also we accepted contributed papers from individuals and laboratories actively involved in relevant areas of research and study. The participation of internationally established scientists was encouraged. The Society CPABS) tried to ensure that the program reflected current developments, informed reviews, embryonic and developing areas, and critical assessment for several aspects of the present state of knowledge as it relates to the major sections of the proceedings. Obviously, not all aspects of biodeterioration or biodegradation are represented.

Man-made textile fibers are frequently encountered as trace evidence in criminal investigations. This study examined the effects of burial in soil on the biodeterioration of synthetic textile fibers such as cellulose acetate, nylon, polyesters and acrylics. Cellulose acetate fibers began to show signs of decomposition within two months after burial in common garden topsoil and were completely degraded within four to nine months. It was found that severely decomposed cellulose acetate fibers could be identified by pyrolysis-gas liquid chromatography even when other methods such as polarized light microscopy and dispersion staining failed. The solubility behavior of the cellulose acetate fibers also was altered. The other types of fibers showed no detectable alteration at the end of the twelve-month study. REFERENCES American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (1971). AATCC Technical Manual, AATCC, Triangle Park, NC. Cook, R., and Paterson, M.D. (1978). New techniques for the identifi- tion of microscopic samples of textile fibers by infrared spectroscopy. Forensic Sci. Int., 12, 237-243. DeForest, P.R., Geansslen, R.E., and Lee, H.C. (1983). Forensic Science: An Introduction to Criminalistics, McGraw-Hill Book Company, NY. Federal Bureau of Investigation (1978). Solubility schemes by generic class. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, DC. Fong, W. (1982). Rapid microscopic identification of synthetic fibers in a single liquid mount. ~ Forensic Sci., 27, 257-263.

Despite the perception that artworks are timeless and unchanging, they are actually subject to biological attack from a variety of sources--from bacteria to fungi to insects. This groundbreaking volume, which publishes the proceedings of a conference held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2002, explores how the development of these organisms can be arrested while preserving both the work of art and the health of the conservator.The richly illustrated text, containing the writings of over 40 scientists and conservators, is divided into sections on stone and mural paintings, paper, textiles, wood and archaeological materials, treatment and prevention, and special topics. The artworks and cultural properties discussed include, among many others, Paleolithic cave paintings, Tiffany drawings, huts built by early Antarctic explorers, and a collection of toothbrushes taken from Auschwitz victims.

This series includes monographs, research results, and state-of-the-art reviews of conservation literature by Institute staff and others.Discusses the types and causes of stone biodeterioration in hot and humid climates, preventive and remedial methods, selection of chemical treatments, status of current research, and areas for further investigation.

Biodegradation and Biodeterioration at the Nanoscale describes the biodegradation and biodeterioration of materials in the presence of nanomaterials. The book's chapters focus on the basic principles, action mechanisms and promising applications of advanced nanomaterials, along with their integration with biotechnological processes for controlled degradation and deterioration of materials. In addition, the current research indications, positive or negative environmental impacts, legislation and future directions are also discussed. This book is an important reference source for researchers, engineers and scientists working in environmental remediation, biotechnology, materials science, corrosion and nanotechnology. - Provides detailed coverage on how nano-biomaterials degrade and deteriorate - Compares how different types of bionanomaterials decompose - Explains how the priorities of bionanomaterials affect their deterioration rate

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