Abstract

RIOS, Asunción de los  and  ASCASO, Carmen. Contributions of in situ microscopy to the current understanding of stone biodeterioration. INT. MICROBIOL. [online]. 2005, vol.8, n.3, pp.181-188. ISSN 1139-6709.

In situ microscopy consists of simultaneously applying several microscopy techniques without separating the biological component from its habitat. Over the past few years, this strategy has allowed characterization of the biofilms involved in biodeterioration processes affecting stone monuments and has revealed the biogeophysical and biogeochemical impact of the microbiota present. In addition, through in situ microscopy diagnosis, appropriate treatments can be designed to resolve the problems related to microbial colonization of stone monuments.

Keywords : biodeterioration; in situ microscopy; biofilms; scanning electron microscopy in back-scattered mode; lithobionts.

        · abstract in Spanish | Portuguese     · text in English     · English ( pdf )