Influence of the Laser Wavelength on Harmful Effects on Granite Due to Biofilm Removal
Source abstract
Abstract
The colonization of stone-built monuments by different organisms (algae, fungi, lichens, bacteria, and cyanobacteria) can lead to biodeterioration of the stone, negatively affecting the artistic value of the heritage. To address this issue, laser cleaning has been widely investigated in recent years, due to the advantages it offers over traditional mechanical and chemical methods: it is gradual, selective, contactless, and environmentally friendly. That said, the laser parameters should be optimized in order to avoid any by-effects on the surface as a result of overcleaning. However, as the adjustment of each parameter to clean polymineralic stones is a difficult task, it would be useful to know the effect of overcleaning on the different forming minerals depending on the wavelength used. In this paper, three different wavelengths (355 nm, 532 nm, and 1064 nm) of a Q-Switch neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:Y3Al5O12) laser, commonly known as QS Nd:YAG laser were applied to extract a naturally developed sub-aerial biofilm from Vilachán granite, commonly used in monuments in the Northwest (NW)Iberian Peninsula. In addition to the removal rate of the biofilm, the by-effects induced for fluences higher than the damage threshold of the stone were evaluated using stereomicroscopy, color spectrophotometry, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The results showed that different removal rates were obtained depending on the wavelength used and 532 nm obtained the highest removal level. In terms of by-effects, biotite melting was registered on all surfaces regardless of the wavelength. In addition, 532 nm seemed to be the most aggressive laser system, inducing the greatest change in appearance as a result of extracting the kaolinite crackled coating and the segregations rich in Fe, which are a result of natural weathering. These changes were translated into colorimetric changes visible to the human eye. The surfaces treated with 355 nm and 1064 nm showed lower surface changes.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Building materials and conservation · Lichen and fungal ecology · Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Dpto. Física Aplicada, Escola de Enxeñaría Industrial, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Dpto. Enxeñaría dos Recursos Naturais e Medio Ambiente, Escola de Enxeñaría de Minas e Enerxía, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
Funding
Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Government of Spain · Erasmus+
References (51)
Show source-provided references
1. Fotakis, C., Anglos, D., Zafiropoulos, V., Georgiou, S., and Tornari, V. (2006). Lasers in the Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Principles and Applications, Taylor & Francis.10.1201/9780367800857 ↗
2. Schreiner, M., Strlic, M., and Salimbeni, R. (2008). Principles of Laser Cleaning in Conservation, COST Office. e-version ISBN-10: 973 88109 30.
3. The two-wavelength laser cleaning methodology; theoretical background and examples from its application on CH objects and monuments with emphasis to the Athens Acropolis sculptures10.1186/s40494-016-0077-2 ↗
4. Cooper, M. (1998). Laser Cleaning in Conservation: An Introduction, Butterworth Heinemann. ISBN-10: 0750631171.
5. Asmus, J.F., Munk, W.H., and Wuerker, R.F. (1972, January 5–9). Lasers and Holography in Art Preservation and Restoration. Proceedings of the IEEE Northeast Electronics Research and Engineering Meeting, Boston, FL, USA.
6. Investigation of the Er:YAG Laser at 2.94 μm to Remove Lichens Growing on Stone10.1179/sic.2009.54.4.268 ↗
7. Practical issues in laser cleaning of stone and painted artefacts: Optimisation procedures and side effects10.1007/s00339-011-6696-2 ↗
8. Nd:YVO4 laser removal of graffiti from granite. Influence of paint and rock properties on cleaning efficacy10.1016/j.apsusc.2012.09.110 ↗
9. Laser versus scalpel cleaning of crustose lichens on granite10.1016/j.apsusc.2018.01.167 ↗
10. Effectiveness and harmful effects of removal sulphated black crust from granite using Nd:YAG nanosecond pulsed laser10.1016/j.apsusc.2013.10.129 ↗
11. Influence of wavelength on the laser removal of lichens colonizing heritage stone10.1016/j.apsusc.2016.12.032 ↗
12. Estimation of the potential bioreceptivity of granitic rocks from their intrinsic properties10.1016/j.ibiod.2005.08.001 ↗
13. Biodeterioration of stone: A review10.1016/S0964-8305(00)00109-8 ↗
14. Biodeterioration of ancient stone materials from the Persepolis monuments (Iran)10.1007/s10453-007-9079-6 ↗
15. Doehne, C.A., and Price, E. (2010). Stone Conservation: An Overview of Current Research, The Getty Conservation Institute. [2nd ed.].
16. Effectiveness of granite cleaning procedures in cultural heritage: A review10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.07.090 ↗
17. Comparison between Methods of Biological Crust Removal on Granite10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.548.317 ↗
18. Optimisation of laser removal of biological crusts in granites10.1007/s00339-010-5652-x ↗
19. Comparative study on the application of the 1st and the third harmonic of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser system to clean black encrustation on marble10.1016/S1296-2074(02)01208-6 ↗
20. Laser ablation of iron-rich black films from exposed granite surfaces10.1007/s00339-014-8470-8 ↗
21. Detection of the optimal laser fluence ranges to clean graffiti on silicates10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.05.035 ↗
22. Microstructural study of the origin of color in Rosa Porriño granite and laser cleaning effects10.1007/s00339-011-6344-x ↗
23. Ramil, A., López, A.J., Mateo, M.P., Álvarez, C., and Yáñez, A. (2008). Color changes in Galician granitic stones induced by UV Nd:YAG laser irradiation. Lasers in the Conservation of Artworks, CRC Press.
24. Application limits of Q-switched Nd:YAG laser irradiation for stone cleaning based on colour measurements10.1016/S1296-2074(02)01227-X ↗
25. Yellowing effect and discoloration of pigments: Experimental and theoretical studies10.1016/S1296-2074(02)01205-0 ↗
26. IGME (Instituto Geológico y Minero de España), and Mapa geológico de España (1985). Serie Magna, E1:50.000, Sheet 223 (Vigo), Instituto Geológico y Minero de España. [2nd ed.].
27. (1980). Commission 25 PEM. Protection Et Erosion Des Monuments. Recommandations Provisoires. Essais Recommande´S Pour Mesurer L’altération Des Pierres Et Évaluer L’efficacité Des Méthodes De Traitement. Test No. II. 1: Open porosity. RILEM (Réunion Internationale des Laboratoires d’Essais et de Recherche sur les Matériaux et les Constructions), (In French).
28. Interacción fluido-roca a lo largo de las superficies de fractura: Efectos mineralógicos y texturales de las alteraciones observadas en el Plutón Granítico de Albalá, SO del Macizo Hercínico Ibérico
29. Cleaning of gypsum-rich black crusts on granite using a dual wavelength Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.07.298 ↗
30. Pozo-Antonio, J., Papanikolaou, A., Melessanaki, K., Brea, T.R., and Pouli, P. (2018). Laser-Assisted Removal of Graffiti from Granite: Advantages of the Simultaneous Use of Two Wavelengths. Coatings, 8.10.3390/coatings8040124 ↗
31. Laser-assisted removal of dark cement crusts from mineral gypsum (selenite) architectural elements of peripheral monuments at Knossos10.1179/0039363015Z.000000000201 ↗
32. CIE (1986). Colorimetry CIE Central Bureau, Vienna, CIE Publication.
33. CIE (2007). CIE S014-4/E, 2007. Colorimetry Part 4: CIE 1976 L*a*b* Color Space, Commission Internationale de L’Eclairage, CIE Central Bureau.
34. Measuring the color of granite rocks: A proposed procedure10.1002/col.20579 ↗
35. Colombini, M.P., and Modugno, F. (2009). Py-GC-MS of Organic Paint Binders. Research Signpost, Wiley Publication.
36. Berns, R.S. (2000). Billmeyer, Saltzman’s Principles of Color Technology, Wiley. [3rd ed.].
37. Definition of the procedure to determine the suitability and durability of an anti-graffiti product for application on cultural heritage porous materials10.1016/j.culher.2011.07.004 ↗
38. Socrates, G. (2001). Infrared and Raman Characteristic Group Frequencies: Tables and Charts, John Wiley & Sons. [3rd ed.].
39. Assignments of the Pfr-Pr FTIR difference spectrum of cyanobacterial Phytochrome Cph1 using 15N and 13C Isotopically Labeled Phycocyanobilin Chromophere10.1021/jp052323t ↗
40. Mineralogical variability in weathering microsystems of a granitic outcrop of Galicia (Spain)10.1016/0341-8162(83)90033-4 ↗
41. Pseudomorphic transformation of plagioclases during the weathering of granitic rocks in Galicia (NW Spain)10.1016/S0341-8162(98)00108-8 ↗
42. Indicators and ratings for the compatibility assessment of conservation actions10.1016/j.culher.2006.04.007 ↗
43. Incompatibility risk assessment procedure for the cleaning of built heritage10.1016/j.culher.2015.09.003 ↗
44. Removal of Verrucaria nigrescens from Carrara marble artefacts using Nd:YAG lasers: Comparison among different pulse durations and wavelengths10.1007/s00339-014-8933-y ↗
45. In-Situ Optical measurements of sediment type and phytobenthos of tidal flats: A basis for imaging remote sensing spectroscopy
46. Hyperspectral imaging of the microscale distribution and dynamics of microphytobenthos in intertidal sediments10.4319/lom.2013.11.511 ↗
47. Comparison of simple techniques for estimating chlorophyll a concentration in the in tertidal zone using high spectral resolution field spectrometer data10.3354/meps274031 ↗
48. Ramil, A., Vázquez-Nion, D., Pozo-Antonio, J.S., Sanmartín, P., and Prieto, B. (2018). Using Hyperspectral Imaging to Quantify Phototrophic Biofilms on Granite. J. Environ. Inform., 35.10.3808/jei.201800401 ↗
49. Effect of fire damage on natural stonework in buildings10.1016/0950-0618(95)00076-3 ↗
50. Mineralogical and color changes of quartz sandstones by heat
51. A reassignment of the optical absorption bands in biotites10.1007/BF00308360 ↗