ISSN:
1572-8943
Keywords:
algae
;
copper
;
fungi
;
human artifacts
;
lichens
;
oxalate films
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract Simultaneous thermogravimetry and thermomicroscopy were performed on Ca-oxalates which play an important role in the appearance of oxalate films connected with lichens superficially growing on human artefacts. Ca-oxalate exists in two well-described modifications: as the more stable monoclinic monohydrate whewellite and the less stable tetragonal dihydrate weddelite. Weddelite serves for lichens as a water absorbing and accumulating substrate which transforms to whewellite when humidity drops. To follow these morphological changes optically and the water loss gravimetrically at the same time, a combination of thermomicroscopy and thermogravimétric analysis was constructed, The reflection light microscope was connected to a video camera and computer so that the morphological changes and the thermogravimetric curves could be shown simultaneously on the screen as function of time and temperature. Lichens — double organisms composed of algae and fungi — form surface layers not only on natural organic and inorganic material but also on human artefacts. In calcareous artefacts such as the famous Chinese terracotta soldiers or Egyptian epigraphs they lead to a destruction of the surface by forming Ca-oxalate layers and thus to a deterioration of the historian work of art. But in places where the surface is covered by some blue colours (Egyptian and Chinese Blue, Chinese Purple) the growth of lichens is inhibited and the artefacts are well preserved. The copper ion contained in the pigments is responsible for this effect since copper is a strong poison for microorganism. As lichens exhibit an extremely slow growth under natural and laboratory conditions the two lichen components: algae and fungi were investigated separately. The three mentioned ancient pigments have very low solubility products and thus do not act on the quickly growing fungi. But under special experimental conditions Egyptian Blue formed clear halos on the growth plates of the algaeChlorella minutissima andTrebouxia glomerata. These halos were compared with those of the easily soluble copper sulphate as a standard.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01983720
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