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Fungal Biodeterioration Risk in Monastic Libraries without Climate Control
Katharina Derksen1, Peter Brimblecombe2,3, Guadalupe Piñar1
1Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Institute of Natural Sciences and Technology in the Arts (INTK), Augasse 2-6, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
Microorganisms
|July 27, 2024
Summary
Climate change increases fungal threats to heritage collections. This study monitored Austrian libraries, revealing fungal profiles influenced by location and book collections, informing preservation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Heritage science
- Mycology
- Environmental science
Background:
- Fungal biodeterioration poses a significant threat to global heritage collections.
- Climate change is predicted to exacerbate biological risks to cultural heritage.
- Current models for predicting climate change impacts on indoor biodeterioration are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current microbiological status in historic Austrian libraries.
- To investigate the relationship between outdoor climate, indoor microclimate, and fungal communities.
- To understand the influence of geographic location and library usage on fungal profiles.
Main Methods:
- Microclimatic monitoring using thermohygrometric sensors.
- Cultivation-dependent and -independent analyses of air and surface samples.
- Dust sampling for comprehensive microbiological analysis.
Main Results:
- Identified the status quo of microbiological loads and outdoor-indoor relationships in four historic libraries.
- Determined that geographic location and room usage significantly influence indoor fungal profiles.
- Observed lower fungal diversity in rural sites with extreme climate fluctuations compared to urban, stable environments.
Conclusions:
- Historic libraries exhibit distinct fungal profiles influenced by external climate and internal factors.
- The humidity-stabilizing effect of book collections was noted.
- Findings support developing sustainable strategies for preventing biodeterioration and preserving heritage collections.
