Transcript ISOLATION OF EROSION BACTERIA

Bacterial destruction of
wooden cultural heritage
Charlotte Björdal1, Thomas Nilsson1 and Rene Klaassen2
1 Faculty of Forestry, Swedish university of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden
2
SHR, Foundation of Timber research, the Netherlands
Wood in historical context
Small bacteria makes great harm
Foundation poles supporting
historical buildings
Venice
Shipwreck and other
archeological remains
Roman ship
Wooden castle
BACPOLES
Preserving cultural heritage by preventing
bacterial decay of wood in foundation piles
and archaeological sites
European Commission
(energy, environment and sustainable development the
city of tomorrow and cultural heritage)
EVK4-CT-2001-00043
2002 - 2005
Aim and objectives
1. Identify the bacteria responsible for decay
2. Development of methods for protection of
cultural heritage
BACPOLES based on
• Wood sampling
• Environmental
monitoring
At:
24 sites in Europe
Outcome of BACPOLES
Identification of bacteria
DNA/RNA identification
Cytophaga-Flavobacteria-Bacterioides
Bacterial decay in Europe
• Decay progessing at all 24 sites
• Bacteria active and alive in both poles and
archaeological wood
• Activity even in very old wood (2500 years)
•Adapted to environments low in inorganic
nutrients
Development of preservation
methods
1. Based on bacterial identification,
bacteriophages/ virus killers were
developed
2. Impregnation/ incapsulation in situ
3. Friendly chemicals
Future work
BISKUPIN, Poland
Protection of wooden remains in situ
Future work
BRYGGEN, Norge
Preservation and protection of wooden
foundation supporting historic buildings
Acknowledgement
The BACPOLES research team members are gratefully
acknowledged for fruitful cooperation.
The European commission, 5th framework programme,
for funding.