BLACK FUNGI IN MARBLE AND LIMESTONES - AN AESTHETICAL, CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROBLEM FOR THE CONSERVATION OF MONUMENTS

The interaction of black fungi such as Phoma and Alternaria with marbl e surfaces, the pattern of growth of these organisms land the causes a nd reasons of physical and chemical damage are described. Special atte ntion is given to the penetration pattern of the organisms under study as well as to their capability of altering the colour and mineralogic al composition of rock surfaces. Some attention is given to special te chniques of differentiating between different pigmentations of rock su rfaces from cultural monuments. Further we discuss future techniques a nd approaches, which can be developed and used to protect the rock sur faces from this damage.