Monitoraggio microbiologico ambientale nei musei: conservazione preventiva delle collezioni grafiche
10.6092/issn.1973-9494/4750
application/pdf
1973-9494
4750
en
Cesira Pasquarella
Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage
microbial and microclimatic monitoring
Microbial environmental monitoring in museums: preventive conservation of graphic collections
Text.Serial.Journal
https://conservation-science.unibo.it/
14
Articles
2014-12-20
2015-02-25
2014-12-20
2015-11-02
275-289
CSCH
Cesira Pasquarella
2014/12/20
10.6092/issn.1973-9494/4750
275
1973-9494
microbial and microclimatic monitoring
en
289
TRAVAGLINI A., ALBERTINI R., ZIEGER E., 2009, Manuale di gestione e qualità della rete italiana di monitoraggio in aerobiologia, Tipografia LEGO, Bologna
Microbial environmental monitoring in museums: preventive conservation of graphic collections
https://conservation-science.unibo.it/article/download/4750/4236
14
M     ICROBIAL ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING IN MU-
      SEUMS: PREVENTIVE CONSERVATION OF GRAPHIC
      COLLECTIONS

   Giovanna Pasquariello•, Giuseppina Crupi, Simona Strippoli
   Istituto Nazionale per la Grafica (ING), Roma, Italy

   Oriana Maggi
   Dipartimento di Biologia Ambientale
   Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy

   Piero Colaizzi
   Istituto Centrale per il Restauro e la Conservazione del Patrimonio Archivistico e
   Librario (ICRPAL-MiBACT), Italy

   Carla Balocco
   Dipartimento di Ingegneria industriale
   Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy

   Roberto Albertini
   Dipartimento di Medicina clinica e sperimentale
   Università degli Studi di Parma, Italy

   Cesira Pasquarella
   Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Biotecnologiche e Traslazionali
   Università degli Studi di Parma, Italy




                                                                                                     CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
   Keywords: preventive conservation, biodeterioration, paper heritage, microbial
   and microclimatic monitoring




   1. Introduction

     The air in indoor and outdoor environments contains a large number of suspended
particles of various origin, size and shape which make up the atmospheric aerosol. A
proportion of these particles is of biological origin and constitutes the bioaerosol or bio-
logical aerosol. Most of them are fungal and bacterial spores, Bryophyta, Pteridophyta,
lichen propagules, algal cells, pollen grains, protozoan cysts and viruses. The bioaero-
sol is a potential biodeteriogen for graphic collections which include prints, drawings,
watercolors, books, photographs, etc. preserved in museums, libraries and archives.
Paper items of historical and artistic value are subject to aggression by specific bacte-
rial and fungal microflora. If certain conditions are met, biological particles deposited
on the surface of artworks can form colonies, resulting in damage to the artwork itself.


• Corresponding author: giovanna.pasquariello@beniculturali.it

                                                                                               275
                                                                                                                                              It is, however, necessary for these microorganisms to find favorable nutritional and
                                                                                                                                              environmental conditions for their development.

                                                                                                                                                 Paper is a hygroscopic material, its biodegradability being conditioned both by or-
G. Pasquariello, G. Crupi, S. Strippoli, O. Maggi, P. Colaizzi, C. Balocco, C. Pasquarella - Microbial Environmental monitoring in museums




                                                                                                                                              ganic substances and percentage of water content; biological attacks also depend on
                                                                                                                                              microclimatic conditions.

                                                                                                                                                  Environmental relative humidity (RH) determines different levels of water absorp-
                                                                                                                                              tion for various types of artworks. For this reason, biological environmental monitoring
                                                                                                                                              combined with microclimatic monitoring is essential to assess contamination levels
                                                                                                                                              and is the first step in assessing biological risk for graphic collections. This article pres-
                                                                                                                                              ents the partial application of a methodological model involving an integrated system of
                                                                                                                                              biological and microclimatic monitoring based on an interdisciplinary research project
                                                                                                                                              for storage and exhibition of artworks in confined spaces [1-2].

                                                                                                                                                  This model was tested in the National Institute of Graphic Arts (Istituto Nazionale
                                                                                                                                              per la Grafica - ING) in Rome, on a collection of ancient drawings belonging to the
                                                                                                                                              Fondo Corsini. The integrated system relies on: 1) biological aerosol monitoring with
                                                                                                                                              active and passive methods; 2) sampling fungal spores with a spore trap (Hirst type);
                                                                                                                                              3) monitoring allergens with dust sampling; 4) monitoring airborne particles with a la-
                                                                                                                                              ser particle counter; 5) microbial sampling of surfaces (cultural objects and furnish-
                                                                                                                                              ing materials) with non-destructive and non-invasive techniques using nitrocellulose
                                                                                                                                              membrane filters; 6) microclimatic monitoring with multi data-logger for continuous
                                                                                                                                              measurements of air temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, radiant temperature;
                                                                                                                                              7) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) application for transient simulations for the
                                                                                                                                              study of air and surface temperature distribution, air velocity field, local perturbations,
                                                                                                                                              dust and particle re-suspension processes and pollutant diffusion that are closely con-
                                                                                                                                              nected to indoor air quality for heritage paper conservation. This research is a pilot
                                                                                                                                              study which focuses on the biological contamination of the graphic collections and is a
                                                                                                                                              contribution to standardizing a system of diagnosis-intervention for the preventive con-
                                                                                                                                              servation of cultural heritage artworks of organic nature kept in indoor environments
                                                                                                                                              (i.e. museums, libraries and archives).


                                                                                                                                                 2. Museum environments

                                                                                                                                                  A multitude of artworks in museums are made of a complexity of materials that pre-
                                                                                                                                              sent different conservation problems related to microclimatic conditions. Inside these
                                                                                                                                              confined spaces, the microclimate is influenced by architectural characteristics, mate-
                                                                                                                                              rials and construction techniques, and by the outdoor climate; at the same time, the
                                                                                                                                              level of biological contamination is influenced by various factors such as the air condi-
                                                                                                                                              tioning system, the type of artworks and furnishing materials, and also by the presence
                                                                                                                                              of people (staff and visitors).
                                                                                                                                                  Inside museums, air is the principal means of transportation for biological agents
                                                                                                                                              (bioaerosol) present in the environment [3] and people are one of the major sources
                                                                                                                                              of biological contamination. For organic cultural property preserved in indoor environ-
                                                                                                                                              ments, microfungi and their spores play a crucial role. The transport and dispersal of
                                                                                                                                              fungal spores is a complex phenomenon: they remain suspended in the air until their
                                                                                                                                              falling speed, which is proportional to the square of their radius, becomes smaller


                                                                                                                                        276
than the speed of the air movements that keep them suspended [4]. Dust is one of
the principal carriers of microorganisms; if present on surfaces, it can absorb moisture
creating a favorable environment for biodeteriogen growth. Furthermore, 82% of dust
is made up of organic material and for this reason is a source of nutrition for a variety
of microbial species. Microbial contamination of surfaces is closely connected to the
concentration of aerobiological microorganisms; in fact, as is now well known, dust
and aerobiological particles that settle on the surface of artworks are a hazard with a
potential risk of causing damage to them [1].


   2.1 National Institute of Graphic Arts

   The National Institute of Graphic Arts (Istituto Nazionale per la Grafica - ING) is
a museum of international importance designed to preserve, protect and promote a
legacy of works that document all the different sectors of the graphic arts. Its recent
foundation, in 1975, is the result of merging the Calcografia Nazionale and the Gabi-
netto Nazionale delle Stampe. It is located in Palazzo Poli, which was bought in 1978
to unify this rich heritage, previously split between the historical repositories of the
Palazzo della Calcografia by the Trevi Fountain and the Villa Farnesina alla Lungara.
The work of restoration and refurbishment, which did not get underway until 1986,
reached completion only recently, resulting in the effective unification of the collections
in the summer of 2008 [5]. The ING collections are very heterogeneous and include
drawings, prints, matrices, art videos and photographs; these works cover a long peri-
od going from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The two separate sections, Fondo Corsini
and Fondo Nazionale, today kept in two storage rooms (repository no.1 and no. 2)
make up the Gabinetto Disegni e Stampe.
   The most important one, known as the Fondo Corsini and owned by the Accademia




                                                                                                         CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
Nazionale dei Lincei, comes from the Corsini family collection and was the initial nu-
cleus of the Gabinetto. Nazionale delle Stampe. It consists of 6,400 drawings in 52
volumes (Figure 1 a-b)




Figure 1. a) View of cabinet n. 6 with shelves and volumes; b) Example of volumes with drawings.



                                                                                                   277
                                                                                                                                                  The earliest nucleus of drawings comes from the library of Cardinal Neri Maria Cors-
                                                                                                                                              ini, who also inherited the collections of his uncle, Pope Clement XII, on the latter’s
                                                                                                                                              election to the papacy in 1730. The most interesting drawings are Study of drapery in
                                                                                                                                              silverpoint on a red ground by Leonardo Da Vinci, Profilo di giovane by Filippo Lippi
G. Pasquariello, G. Crupi, S. Strippoli, O. Maggi, P. Colaizzi, C. Balocco, C. Pasquarella - Microbial Environmental monitoring in museums




                                                                                                                                              and Nudo femminile by Parmigianino. After 1895 scholars, such as Adolfo Venturi,
                                                                                                                                              Paul Kristeller and Federico Hermanin, decided to remove the drawings from the vol-
                                                                                                                                              umes and re-organize the collection. They were restored, arranged in passe-partout
                                                                                                                                              and placed in boxes using a classification based on authors or schools. This operation
                                                                                                                                              was criticized and today there is a project for the reconstruction of the bound volumes
                                                                                                                                              of the Fondo Corsini to produce a prototype accessible on the internet [13].


                                                                                                                                                 2.2 Drawings

                                                                                                                                                 Drawings on paper had various aims: originally they were designs for artistic pro-
                                                                                                                                              jects used in architecture, painting or sculpture. Over the centuries, different tech-
                                                                                                                                              niques were used, together with various instruments (pencil, pen, crayon, graphite)
                                                                                                                                              on a wide variety of supports (paper, metal, wood, etc.) [6]. Drawing later came to be
                                                                                                                                              considered an art in itself and today there are a great many drawings recognized as
                                                                                                                                              graphic artworks.
                                                                                                                                                 The drawings examined in this article are on paper. Paper consists of cellulose (45-
                                                                                                                                              55%), lignin (20-30%) and hemicellulose (15-25%). Cellulose is the main component
                                                                                                                                              consisting of carbon with hydrogen and oxygen; its molecule is very large and is made
                                                                                                                                              up of simpler molecules which are repeated (interconnecting monomers). Lignin has
                                                                                                                                              a complex structure and is made up of aromatic polymers of phenylpropanoid units.
                                                                                                                                              Hemicelluloses are polysaccharides present in the cell walls of plants associated with
                                                                                                                                              cellulose and lignin [7].
                                                                                                                                                  Paper is a highly hygroscopic material, i.e. it absorbs and releases water and is
                                                                                                                                              strongly affected by changes in humidity and temperature; it is thus vulnerable to at-
                                                                                                                                              tacks by various biological agents. Cellulose, the principal constituent of this material,
                                                                                                                                              is an important source of carbon, essential for the nourishment of potential biodeterio-
                                                                                                                                              gens, as well as other organic substances like adhesives, glues and inks that can all
                                                                                                                                              be a source of biodeterioration [8].


                                                                                                                                                 3. Materials and methods

                                                                                                                                                 3.1 Description of site: repository no.1 of the ING

                                                                                                                                                 Biological and microclimate monitoring was performed in repository no.1 (Figure
                                                                                                                                              2), situated on the second floor of the ING. The repository has two windows and two
                                                                                                                                              doors which are always closed because it is used as a storage room and only staff are
                                                                                                                                              allowed entry; there is also an air conditioning system (during monitoring, in August
                                                                                                                                              2011, it was switched off) and a thermohygrometric monitoring system that uses wire-
                                                                                                                                              less technology transmitting environmental parameters to an operations center via
                                                                                                                                              radio. Repository no.1 contains graphic collections (drawings and prints) belonging to
                                                                                                                                              two different collections: Fondo Corsini and Fondo Nazionale; the artworks are kept in
                                                                                                                                              closed metal cabinets, made up of sliding shelves with holes for air circulation.


                                                                                                                                        278
                              Figure 2. Map of repository no.1.




  3.2 Microclimatic monitoring

   The microclimatic monitoring system allows continuous monitoring of temperature
(T) and relative humidity (RH) values using 8 sensors positioned inside repository
no.1, inside the cabinets, the volumes, the boxes and on the surfaces of the works and




                                                                                                 CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
one sensor placed outdoors (Figure 3 a-c).




        Figure 3. Position of sensors a) inside cabinet b) inside repository c) outdoors


   Thermohygrometric sensors record data hourly; all recorded measurements are
then stored in a computer.


   3.3 Microbial air sampling
   Microbial air sampling was carried out by both active sampling, in order to meas-
ure the concentration of microorganisms in the air, and passive sampling, in order to
measure the rate at which viable particles settle on surfaces [9]. The sampling was
performed on 8th and 9th August 2011.
   Active sampling was carried out using a Duo-SAS 360 impactor with a flow rate of

                                                                                           279
                                                                                                                                              180 liters per minute (L/min). The sampler was placed in the monitored room at 1 meter
                                                                                                                                              above the floor and at about 1 meter away from any physical obstacle; a volume of
                                                                                                                                              200 L of air was aspirated. RODAC plates containing SDA (Sabouraud Dextrose Agar)
                                                                                                                                              with chloramphenicol were incubated at 25°C for 5 days to isolate the microfungi. The
G. Pasquariello, G. Crupi, S. Strippoli, O. Maggi, P. Colaizzi, C. Balocco, C. Pasquarella - Microbial Environmental monitoring in museums




                                                                                                                                              results were expressed as colony forming units per cubic meter of air (CFU/m3) [10].
                                                                                                                                              The samples were taken at 5 different points inside the repository (Figure 4) and at 1
                                                                                                                                              point outside the window; each sampling was performed 3 times.




                                                                                                                                                                                  Figure 4. Air sampling points



                                                                                                                                                 Active air sampling was performed also using a spore trap (Hirst type), with a flow
                                                                                                                                              rate of 10 liters per minute (L/min) to assess the concentration of fungal spores and
                                                                                                                                              pollens in a time span of 24 hours following standards given by the Italian Association
                                                                                                                                              of Aerobiology [11]. The sampler was located in the middle of the storage room.
                                                                                                                                                 Passive sampling was carried out using Petri dishes with a diameter of 9 cm con-
                                                                                                                                              taining SDA with chloramphenicol, incubated at 25°C for 5 days, to determine the
                                                                                                                                              Index of Microbial Air contamination (IMA). Petri dishes were left open for 1 hour, at
                                                                                                                                              1 meter above the floor and at a distance of about 1 meter from walls and obstacles.
                                                                                                                                              The results were expressed as colony forming units per square decimeter per hour
                                                                                                                                              (CFU/dm2/h). The sampling points were the same as those used for the Duo-SAS 360
                                                                                                                                              (Figure 4).

                                                                                                                                                3.4 Microbial sampling of surfaces

                                                                                                                                                 Microbial sampling was performed on the surface of the artworks (drawings), vol-
                                                                                                                                              umes and on the furnishing materials (shelves) and was carried out in a non-destruc-
                                                                                                                                              tive way using nitrocellulose membrane filters with a diameter of 47 mm and an area
                                                                                                                                              of 17.34 cm2 [10]. To measure the Microbial Buildup (MB), that represents the total
                                                                                                                                              number of microorganisms accumulated on a surface in an unknown period of time
                                                                                                                                              prior to the sampling, the membrane was pressed onto the surface for 30 seconds by
                                                                                                                                              the operator’s fingertips protected by sterile gloves (Figure 5a). To measure the Hourly

                                                                                                                                        280
Microbial Fallout (HMF), which represents the number of microorganisms that settle
on a surface during this time, the membrane was left on the surface for 1 hour (Figure
5b). Using sterile tweezers the membrane was then transferred onto the Petri dishes
containing SDA with chloramphenicol.




              Figure 5. Surface sampling a) Microbial Buildup (MB) b) Hourly
              Microbial Fallout (HMF)



  4. Results and discussion

   The presence of the thermohygrometric monitoring system inside the ING al-
lowed continuous measurement of the temperature and relative humidity values
during the year. The results recorded in August 2011 are shown in Figure 6.




                                                                                                CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE




   Figure 6. Thermohygrometric values for repository no.1, cabinet no.6, volume 157-H8,
   outdoors, in August 2011



                                                                                          281
                                                                                                                                                 Temperature and relative humidity values inside repository no.1 were lower than
                                                                                                                                              outdoors. This is because the ING is a historic monumental building with thick masonry
                                                                                                                                              walls which act as insulators.
                                                                                                                                                 Air temperature data registered inside repository no.1 during the period of the
G. Pasquariello, G. Crupi, S. Strippoli, O. Maggi, P. Colaizzi, C. Balocco, C. Pasquarella - Microbial Environmental monitoring in museums




                                                                                                                                              sampling ranged between 26°C and 28°C; the situation remained stable during the
                                                                                                                                              whole month without excessive daily fluctuations. Relative humidity in the same
                                                                                                                                              period was between 46% and 54%. Results registered by the sensors inside the
                                                                                                                                              cabinet and on volumes and drawings were also constant, showing thermohygro-
                                                                                                                                              metric balance (Figure 7).




                                                                                                                                                        Figure 7. Thermohygrometric values in repository no.1, cabinet no.6,
                                                                                                                                                        volume 157-H8 in the week of sampling




                                                                                                                                                 The values of relative humidity fell within the range recommended by the stand-
                                                                                                                                              ards for the preservation of paper (Atto di indirizzo sui criteri tecnico-scientifici
                                                                                                                                              e sugli standard di funzionamento e sviluppo dei musei by MiBACT) [12]. The
                                                                                                                                              air temperature data were outside recommended standards, but given that their
                                                                                                                                              values, though high, remained constant, they cannot be considered dangerous.
                                                                                                                                                 Table 1 shows the microbial air contamination values in different sampling
                                                                                                                                              points on two monitored days and for three samplings.




                                                                                                                                        282
Table 1. Microbial air contamination values in repository no.1 on two monitored days (8th and 9th
August 2011). The sampling points are indicated in Figure 4. Columns A-B show active method
(Duo-SAS 360); C-D passive method (Petri dishes, IMA)

                Fondo Corsini        Fondo Corsini         Fondo Corsini        Fondo Corsini
                08/08/2011           09/08/2011            08/08/2011           09/08/2011
                   h 13                 h 13                  h 13                 h 13
                   CFU\m3               CFU\ m3             CFU\dm2\h             CFU\dm2\h
                        A                     B                    C                     D
 Point 1
    1              380                  350                    2                    11
    2              255                  285                    8                    6
    3              480                  520                    4                    9
Average           371.7                 385                    6                    8.7
 Point 2
    1              495                  145                    6                    3
    2              460                  185                    9                    13
    3              475                  115                    9                    14
Average           476.7                 148.3                  8                    10
 Point 3
    1              440                  170                    6                    7
    2              560                  130                    5                    9
    3              480                  190                    6                    7
Average           493.3                 163.3                 5.7                   7.7
 Point 4




                                                                                                          CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
    1              585                  605                   19                    10
    2             1185                  630                   15                    18
    3               \                   440                   14                    15
Average            885                  558.3                 16                   14.3
 Point 5
    1              550                    \                   92                   117
    2              640                  2125                  71                   148
    3              835                    \                   73                  patina
Average            675                  2125                 78.67                132.5


    The number of fungal spores inside the repository was lower than that outside the
room using both the active and passive methods. This result can be explained by the fact
that the monitored ambient is a storage room closed to the public.

    Table 2 shows the fungal species isolated by passive sampling. A prevalence of Cla-
dosporium cladosporioides (Fresen.) G.A. de Vries, Cladosporium cucumerinum Ellis &
Arthur, Cladosporium herbarum (Pers.) Link and Penicillium spp. was found. Qualita-
tive analysis of the samples taken with the Duo-SAS 360 was carried out on only one
sampling and revealed the presence of Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl, Cladosporium
cladosporioides and Cladosporium herbarum.

                                                                                                    283
                                                                                                                                              Table 2. Fungal species isolated by passive method (IMA). Sampling points refer to those in Table 1

                                                                                                                                                     FUNGAL SPECIES           1C1   1C2   1C3   1D1   1D3   2D2   2D3     3D1   3D2   3D3
G. Pasquariello, G. Crupi, S. Strippoli, O. Maggi, P. Colaizzi, C. Balocco, C. Pasquarella - Microbial Environmental monitoring in museums




                                                                                                                                               Alternaria alternata                                         x
                                                                                                                                               Alternaria spp.                                              x         x
                                                                                                                                               Cladosporium cladosporioides   x     x                 x     x                   x     x
                                                                                                                                               Cladosporium cucumerinum             x     x     x     x     x         x         x     x
                                                                                                                                               Cladosporium herbarum          x     x           x           x         x         x     x
                                                                                                                                               Epicoccum nigrum                                             x
                                                                                                                                               Penicillium spp.                           x     x     x     x


                                                                                                                                                 An overview of data reported in the literature shows that the genera Cladosporium
                                                                                                                                              and Alternaria can be potential biodeteriogens for cultural heritage on paper but, at the
                                                                                                                                              same time, these genera are common and typical of atmospheric air and can be found
                                                                                                                                              in all indoor environments.
                                                                                                                                                 Table 3 shows microbial surface contamination values of shelves, volumes and drawings.


                                                                                                                                              Table 3. Microbial surface contamination values (MB and HMF).Samples 1-8 were taken on 8th
                                                                                                                                              August 2011; samples 1A-6A on 9th August 2011.

                                                                                                                                                                        SAMPLING POINTS                                   FUNGAL COLONIES
                                                                                                                                                         1. HIGH SHELF                                            3

                                                                                                                                                         2. LOW SHELF                                             25
                                                                                                                                              MB         3. VOLUME 157 H8: COVER                                  3

                                                                                                                                                         4. DRAWING FC 127362: CLEAN AREA                         1
                                                                                                                                                         5. DRAWING FC 127362: FOXING AREA                        1

                                                                                                                                                         6. HIGH SHELF                                            6
                                                                                                                                              HMF        7. LOW SHELF                                             2
                                                                                                                                                         8. VOLUME 158: COVER                                     1

                                                                                                                                                         1A. VOLUME 158 I1: COVER                                 11
                                                                                                                                              MB         2A. DRAWING FC 129666: CLEAN AREA                        0
                                                                                                                                                         3A. DRAWING FC 129666: INSECT DAMAGE AREA                0

                                                                                                                                                         4A. VOLUME 158 I3: COVER                                 4
                                                                                                                                              HMF        5A. DRAWING FC 130069: FOXING AREA                       0
                                                                                                                                                         6A. DRAWING FC 130068 BIS: FOXING AREA                   0



                                                                                                                                                  Fungal colonies are mainly present on shelves and volumes that are positioned
                                                                                                                                              at lower levels. This effect is due to the air flow that allows heavier particles to fall as
                                                                                                                                              a result of gravity. Moreover, CFUs, estimated by MB and HMF on the drawings, are
                                                                                                                                              lower than on the shelves. This result proves that the use of closed metal cabinets and


                                                                                                                                        284
boxes is optimal for the preservation of these artworks because the drawings are safe
from microbial environmental pollution.
     Qualitative analysis on the surfaces (Table 4) indicates the presence of Cladospori-
um cladosporioides, Cladosporium cucumerinum and Cladosporium sphaerospermum
Penz. and also Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger Tiegh, Humicola spp., and Peni-
cillium spp. These fungal species are common in museum environments and could be
biodeteriogens for paper, if optimal conditions for their growth exist.


Table 4. Fungal species isolated by surface sampling: Microbial Buildup (MB), Hourly Microbial
Fallout (HMF). The sampling points refer to those reported in Table 3

                                          MB                             HMF
         FUNGAL SPECIES
                                      1     2     3      5    1A     4     6    7   8   4A
        Acremonium terricola                      x
         Alternaria alternata               x                                           x
      Arthrinium phaeospermum               x
          Aspergillus niger                                   x
    Cladosporium cladosporioides      x     x     x      x    x            x    x       x
     Cladosporium cucumerinum         x                  x
       Cladosporium herbarum          x     x
   Cladosporium sphaerospermum        x                              x     x        x
            Humicola spp.                                     x
           Penicillium spp.           x                       x
             Phoma spp.




                                                                                                       CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
        Micelia sterilia hyalina            x                        x                  x



  Figure 8 shows results obtained by spore trap that confirm both the quantitative and
qualitative data of the air and surface sampling.




                  Figure 8. Fungal spores isolated by spore trap (Hirst type)




                                                                                                 285
                                                                                                                                                    5. Conclusions

                                                                                                                                                 The study conducted at the ING, which allowed assessment of the quantity and
                                                                                                                                              quality of fungal spores in the air and on the surfaces of the drawings, showed that
G. Pasquariello, G. Crupi, S. Strippoli, O. Maggi, P. Colaizzi, C. Balocco, C. Pasquarella - Microbial Environmental monitoring in museums




                                                                                                                                              the monitored environment does not entail risks for the graphic collection. The risk of
                                                                                                                                              biodegradation, as is well known, depends on microclimatic conditions. In particular,
                                                                                                                                              the presence of water is crucial because it is essential for the metabolic processes
                                                                                                                                              of biological agents. This
                                                                                                                                                                    ����������������������������������������������������������������
                                                                                                                                                                         highlights the importance of an integrated approach to bio-
                                                                                                                                              logical environmental monitoring for the cultural heritage and this research is a pilot
                                                                                                                                              study which has focused on the biological contamination of graphic collections. Fur-
                                                                                                                                              ther studies based on experimental campaigns will provide information on biological
                                                                                                                                              contamination and thermohygrometric values to create predictive risk models for both
                                                                                                                                              artworks and people (staff and visitors) which can help in standardizing a system of
                                                                                                                                              diagnosis-intervention for preventive conservation of the organic cultural heritage in
                                                                                                                                              indoor environments.


                                                                                                                                                    Acknowledgements

                                                                                                                                                The authors thank: Dr. Maria Antonella Fusco, Director of the National Institute of
                                                                                                                                              Graphic Arts and Dr. Giulia Fusconi, Curator of the Collections of the Gabinetto Dis-
                                                                                                                                              egni e Stampe; thanks also go to engineer Dr. Enrico Marmonti, Dr. Elisa Saccani and
                                                                                                                                              Manuela Ugolotti for their collaboration.




                                                                                                                                                    References

                                                                                                                                              [1]     PASQUARELLA C., ALBERTINI R., TARSITANI G., PASQUARIELLO G., 2010,
                                                                                                                                                      Metodologie e tecniche di diagnosi del rischio biologico dei beni culturali di natu-
                                                                                                                                                      ra organica conservati in ambienti indoor: un approccio integrato, in Campanella
                                                                                                                                                      L., Piccioli C. Diagnosis for the conservation and valorization of cultural heritage,
                                                                                                                                                      Atti del Primo Convegno Internazionale, Napoli, pp. 373-379
                                                                                                                                              [2]     PASQUARELLA C., PASQUARIELLO G., BALOCCO C., TARSITANI G., MORO-
                                                                                                                                                      NI C., MAGGI O. ALBERTINI R., 2011, Preventive conservation of graphic collec-
                                                                                                                                                      tions: an integrated system of biological and microclimatic monitoring, in proceed-
                                                                                                                                                      ings of the 5th International Congress on Science and technology for the safeguard
                                                                                                                                                      of cultural heritage in the Mediterranean basin, Istanbul, 22-25 november
                                                                                                                                              [3]     PASQUARIELLO G., 2001, Analisi dei fattori di biodeterioramento delle opere
                                                                                                                                                      d’arte su carta, in Rendiconti – Memorie di Scienze Fisiche e Naturali 119°, vol.
                                                                                                                                                      XXV, Accademia Nazionale delle Scienze detta dei XL, Roma, pp. 129-150
                                                                                                                                              [4]     MAGGI O., PIETRINI A.M., PIERVITTORI R., RICCI S., ROCCARDI A., 2003,
                                                                                                                                                      Aerobiology Applied to Cultural Heritage, in P. Mandrioli, G. Caneva, C. Sabbioni
                                                                                                                                                      Cultural heritage and aerobiology. Methods and measurement techniques for
                                                                                                                                                      biodeterioration monitoring, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston/London, pp.
                                                                                                                                                      22-29
                                                                                                                                              [5]     DE MARCHI G., MARIANI G., 2009, Istituto Nazionale per la Grafica, De Luca
                                                                                                                                                      Editori d’arte, Roma

                                                                                                                                        286
[6]     PETRIOLI TOFANI A.M., PROSPERI VALENTI RODINÒ S., SCIOLLA G.C.,
        1991, Il disegno: forme, tecniche, significati, Gruppo SanPaolo e Amilcare Pizzi
        Editore, Torino
[7]     FANELLI C., MAGGI O., PERSIANI A.M., VALENTI P., 2007, Caratteristiche gen-
        erali dei materiali di origine vegetale, in G. Caneva, M.P. Nugari, O. Salvadori,
        La biologia vegetale per i beni culturali vol.1 biodeterioramento e conservazione,
        Nardini Editore, Firenze, pp. 97-99
[8]     IMPAGLIAZZO G., RUGGIERO D., 2002, Struttura e composizione della carta,
        in Ministero per i beni e le attività culturali, Direzione generale per gli archivi ed.
        Chimica e biologia applicate alla conservazione degli archivi, Centro di fotoripro-
        duzione legatoria e restauro degli archivi di Stato, Roma, pp. 25-39
[9]     PASQUARELLA C., SACCANI E., SANSEBASTIANO G.E., UGOLOTTI M.,
        PASQUARIELLO G., ALBERTINI R., 2012, Proposal for a biological environ-
        mental monitoring approach to be used in libraries and archives, in Annals of
        agricultural and environmental medicine, vol. 19, n° 2, Institute of Agricultural
        Medicine, Lublino, pp. 209-212
[10]    PASQUARELLA C., PASQUARIELLO G., BALOCCO C., SACCANI E., MAR-
        MONTI E., PALLA F., UGOLOTTI M., MAGGI O., ALBERTINI R., 2013, Biologi-
        cal and microclimatic diagnosis in cultural heritage conservation: interdisciplinary
        research at Palatina library in Parma, in proceedings of the 6th International
        Congress on Science and technology for the safeguard of cultural heritage in the
        Mediterranean Basin, Athens, 22-25 October
[11]    TRAVAGLINI A., ALBERTINI R., ZIEGER E., 2009, Manuale di gestione e qualità
        della rete italiana di monitoraggio in aerobiologia, Tipografia LEGO, Bologna
[12]    GAZZETTA UFFICIALE, 2001, Atto di indirizzo sui criteri tecnico-scientifici e sug-
        li standard di funzionamento e sviluppo dei musei, n° 244, Ministero per i Beni e
        le Attività Culturali.




                                                                                                        CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
[13]    Progetto Corsini, [Online], Available: http://corsini.grafica.beniculturali.it/ [18 Oct
        2014].


      Biographical notes

   Giovanna Pasquariello is a biologist, head of the Laboratory of Biology and en-
vironmental control at the Istituto Nazionale per la Grafica (Ministry of Cultural Herit-
age, Activities and Tourism), member of UNI-BeniCulturali Commission and UNICHIM-
Working Environments, member of Italian Association of Aerobiology and of National
Order of Biologists - Commission of Cultural Heritage. Carries out research on bio-
deterioration of organic cultural heritage and microclimatic monitoring, directs experi-
mentation on the topic of biological risk for the preservation of graphic collections and
for people’s health (staff and visitors). Coordinates interventions of disinfection and
disinfestation; provides consulting and teaching. Author of several scientific papers in
specialized journals in cultural heritage, co-author of various books; has participated
as a speaker in many national and international congresses.

   Giuseppina Crupi graduated with a Master’s degree in Science and Technology for
the Preservation Of Cultural Heritage at the “Sapienza” University of Rome; she has
carried out her training at the National Institute of Graphic Arts in Rome on preventive


                                                                                                  287
                                                                                                                                              conservation of library materials (subject of her experimental thesis); has participated
                                                                                                                                              in a multidisciplinary research project supported by Cariparma.Foundation She is at
                                                                                                                                              present attending a Master Course in Cataloging and Accessibility of Cultural Heritage,
                                                                                                                                              New Technologies for its Enhancement at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
G. Pasquariello, G. Crupi, S. Strippoli, O. Maggi, P. Colaizzi, C. Balocco, C. Pasquarella - Microbial Environmental monitoring in museums




                                                                                                                                              and is carrying out a placement in the museum network of the “Sapienza” University
                                                                                                                                              of Rome.

                                                                                                                                                 Simona Strippoli graduated with a Master’s degree in Science and Technology for
                                                                                                                                              the Preservation Of Cultural Heritage at the “Sapienza“ University of Rome; she car-
                                                                                                                                              ried out her training at the National Institute of Graphic Arts in Rome on the theme of
                                                                                                                                              biological risk for graphic works on paper preserved in confined environments, such
                                                                                                                                              as museums, libraries and archives (experimental thesis). She is at present attending
                                                                                                                                              a Master Course in Instruments and Methods for Cultural Heritage Conservation and
                                                                                                                                              Valorization at the University of Urbino “Carlo Bo” and is completing a work placement
                                                                                                                                              with the company, Biores Art s.r.l. in Castelmaggiore (BO).

                                                                                                                                                 Oriana Maggi works in the Department of Environmental Biology - “Sapienza” Uni-
                                                                                                                                              versity of Rome. She has held many teaching Courses for students of Biology, Natural
                                                                                                                                              Sciences and Medicine. Her principal research interests are: mycological studies in
                                                                                                                                              natural, cultivated and stressed ecosystems, taxonomy and systematics of fungi, as-
                                                                                                                                              sessment of fungal damage on cultural heritage, indoor air pollution for heavy industry-
                                                                                                                                              related occupational hazards. She is a member of the Association of Biologists, Italian
                                                                                                                                              Botanical Society, Italian and international Association of Aerobiology, Italian Associa-
                                                                                                                                              tion of Industrial Hygienists. She has published 184 scientific articles, proceedings,
                                                                                                                                              monographs and book articles.

                                                                                                                                                  Piero Colaizzi is Technical and Scientific Assistant at the Laboratory of Biology of
                                                                                                                                              Central Institute for Restoration and Conservation of Archival and Library Heritage,
                                                                                                                                              (Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Activities and Tourism), he collaborates in study and re-
                                                                                                                                              search on microbiology and entomology for the prevention and conservation of archive
                                                                                                                                              and library materials, applications of diagnostic imaging (optical and electron micros-
                                                                                                                                              copy) and applied molecular diagnostics; in campaigns of microclimatic monitoring
                                                                                                                                              in indoor environments. He teaches in the School of Higher Education laboratory of
                                                                                                                                              ICRCPAL. He has cooperated in many publications in scientific journals and confer-
                                                                                                                                              ence proceedings.

                                                                                                                                                 Carla Balocco is Senior Lecturer and assistant professor in Thermodynamics and
                                                                                                                                              Heat and Mass Transfer at the Industrial Engineering Department DIEF (University of
                                                                                                                                              Florence, Italy); a member of the CREAR, “Research Centre for Renewable and Alter-
                                                                                                                                              native Energies and PhD School of the Industrial Engineering Department Committee
                                                                                                                                              (Board of Directors); Editorial Board Member for many international journals; over 80
                                                                                                                                              scientific publications, papers in refereed journals on heat transfer, applied thermo-
                                                                                                                                              dynamics, thermal measurements, including research and technical books. Main re-
                                                                                                                                              search interests: building physics and plant systems (simulation and measurements);
                                                                                                                                              building components; historical buildings and cultural heritage; natural and artificial
                                                                                                                                              lighting; solar radiation control.




                                                                                                                                        288
    Roberto Albertini is a biologist with a PhD in Allergology, Clinical Immunology; he
is head of the Allergology Laboratory (Department of Clinical and Experimental Med-
icine-University of Parma) and of the Medical Immunology unit Laboratory (Hospital
University of Parma). Main interests: Aerobiology, Environmental Hygiene, Allergology.
Team leader of the European research projects MONALISA and HIALINE. President
of the Italian Aerobiology Association; member of the Committee of European Aero-
biology Society, International Ragweed Society, Interest Group on Aerobiology of the
European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and of EAACI Task Force:
Recommendations for improving indoor air quality and preventing allergies in schools.
Reviewer of international journals; author of 200 publications in Italian and interna-
tional journals and meetings.

   Cesira Pasquarella has a Degree in Medicine, a specialization in Hygiene and
Preventive Medicine, doctorate in Public Health. She is full professor of Hygiene at the
Faculty of Medicine, University of Parma. Member of the Italian Society of Hygiene,
Preventive Medicine and Public Health (SItI) and coordinator of the Italian Study Group
of Hospital Hygiene (GISIO) of the same Society; member of the Italian Association of
Aerobiology (AIA) and of the Healthcare Infection Society (HIS). Her fields of research
include hospital hygiene, environmental hygiene, including cultural heritage, education
and health promotion. She is the author of about 200 publications in Italian and inter-
national journals and scientific meetings and co-author of various books on hygiene.




                                                                                                 CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE




                                                                                           289
