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Heritage
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Challenges in Stone Heritage Conservation
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Challenges in Stone Heritage Conservation

A special issue of Heritage (ISSN 2571-9408). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials and Heritage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 10059

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Nick Schiavon

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Guest Editor
Hercules Laboratory for the Study and Conservation of Cultural Heritage, University of Evora, Largo dos Colegiais 2, 7000 Évora, Portugal
Interests: archaeometry; stone decay; metal corrosion; pottery; air pollution; conservation science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Mauro Francesco La Russa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Rende, 87036 Cosenza, Italy
Interests: cultural heritage; the characterization of stone building materials and their decay; the experimentation of innovative protective products; the archeometria study of chronologically different ceramic remains in subaerial and underwater environments
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Patricia Sanmartín

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Departamento de Edafología y Química Agrícola, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain
2. Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain
Interests: environmental sciences and monitoring; stone; cultural heritage resources; biofilm at the stone/air interface; bioreceptivity and the development of innovative environmental technologies aimed at managing; assessing and mitigating natural and human impacts on built heritage and new build in the context of global change
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to submit research manuscripts concerning technologies and approaches applied to stone heritage decay conservation and management.

The conservation of our historical stone heritage requires studies on the mineralogical and chemical composition of the building lithotypes used during construction and/or restoration, the environment surrounding the stone monument, and the microclimatic conditions affecting a specific lithotype in the building. All materials exposed to outdoor conditions are inevitably subject to deterioration processes leading to biotic and abiotic alterations. The knowledge of the decay processes, and of the mechanisms governing these processes, depend on the intrinsic properties of the material to be studied as well as the external agents of decay. This knowledge will allow a rational use of these materials and to anticipate their behavior beforehand, in order to be able to plan the correct restoration and conservation actions.

This Special Issue aims to collect research articles and reviews on original and innovative research regarding applications, methodologies, case studies and reviews on new technologies and analytical methodologies dedicated to supporting the monitoring, preservation and sustainable development/management of stone heritage monuments and artefacts. Moreover, we encourage the submission of manuscripts dealing with the assessment and evaluation of stone heritage exposed to global environmental change.

In particular, topics may include (but are not limited to) the following research areas:

  • Stone heritage: physical, chemical and biological weathering processes in changing environmental conditions.
  • Innovative multi-analytical approaches applied to stone heritage research.
  • Underwater stone heritage: challenges and solutions.
  • Management and sustainable development in stone heritage.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Nick Schiavon
Prof. Dr. Mauro Francesco La Russa
Prof. Dr. Patricia Sanmartín
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Heritage is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • stone heritage
  • conservation science
  • stone decay
  • stone restoration
  • non-invasive techniques
  • biodeterioration
  • sustainable development of stone

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 17207 KiB  
Article
Characterization of the Stone Masonries and Evaluation of the Environmental Impact in Panamá Viejo: A Contribution for the Conservation of the Monumental Complex
by Chiara Ciantelli, Silvia I. Arroyo Duarte, Carmela Vaccaro and Alessandra Bonazza
Heritage 2023, 6(10), 6526-6546; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6100341 - 25 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1719
Abstract
A fundamental step in the best preservation of heritage materials is investigating their chemical and physical characteristics, and understanding how they interact with the surrounding environment. For this reason, the stone masonry of the monumental UNESCO site of Panamá Viejo was subjected to [...] Read more.
A fundamental step in the best preservation of heritage materials is investigating their chemical and physical characteristics, and understanding how they interact with the surrounding environment. For this reason, the stone masonry of the monumental UNESCO site of Panamá Viejo was subjected to a thorough study to characterize the materials and evaluate their state of conservation. Additionally, potential outcrops were explored in order to identify sites for the supply of raw materials. The methodological approach encompassed mineralogical-petrographic investigations using stereomicroscopy, polarized light microscopy (PLM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (ESEM-EDS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The results revealed that the masonries primarily consists of polygenic breccia, basaltic andesite, rhyodacite, tuffite, and rhyolite. In addition, at the potential quarries, breccia and basaltic andesite were identified. The porous structure was studied using mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). Possible issues due to salt dissolution/crystallization cycles were considered. Consequently, ion chromatography (IC) was conducted on samples exhibiting alteration patinas to study the presence of soluble salts. In assessing the state of conservation, prevalent forms of deterioration included biological colonization, detachments, material loss, potential salt weathering, and chromatic alteration. In conclusion, the outcomes of this work provide a valuable resource for the current and future preservation of this site. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges in Stone Heritage Conservation)
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22 pages, 7770 KiB  
Article
The Long-Term Efficiency and Compatibility of Hydrophobic Treatments in Protecting Vulnerable Sandstone at Arbroath Abbey (Scotland)
by Marli de Jongh, David Benavente, Maureen Young, Callum Graham and Martin Lee
Heritage 2023, 6(7), 4864-4885; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6070259 - 21 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2160
Abstract
The application of hydrophobic treatments as a means of protecting vulnerable stone heritage has been a topic of research for decades. The findings of previous research have shown that there are a number of factors that influence the efficiency of a treatment and [...] Read more.
The application of hydrophobic treatments as a means of protecting vulnerable stone heritage has been a topic of research for decades. The findings of previous research have shown that there are a number of factors that influence the efficiency of a treatment and that sometimes, if used incorrectly, such treatments can even accelerate stone weathering and decay. In this study, we revisit a hydrophobic treatment test area at Arbroath Abbey where the product was applied over 40 years ago, thus providing a rare opportunity to investigate the long-term efficiency of hydrophobic treatments. As well as assessing the condition of the treated area in situ by means of moisture analyses, lab-based accelerated salt weathering experiments are conducted to better understand the impact of silane-based treatments on sandstone durability. Moreover, the petrography and petrophysical properties of weathered sandstone (open porosity, capillary absorption, and vapour diffusion) before and after treatment are also characterised to provide a better understanding of how stone properties may influence the compatibility of the treatment. The field-based results show that the treated area has maintained a degree of hydrophobicity since its application over 40 years ago. Both field-based and lab-based analyses suggest that silane-based treatments can be used successfully in protecting sandstone when applied correctly, both in reducing the rate of decay and functioning over long periods of time. However, sandstone heterogeneity may mean that some individual stones are less compatible with the hydrophobic treatment tested than others. Further field-based analyses (including methods such as XRF and in situ vp) of the treated area is required in order to determine the state of conservation more accurately. These results highlight the complexity in selecting a suitable hydrophobic treatment, especially at built sites where the mineralogy and petrophysical properties of the stone may vary between blocks. However, such treatments may still be important to consider as many climates, including Scotland’s, are becoming progressively wetter, increasing the vulnerability of stone heritage to moisture ingress, accelerated decay, and eventual ruin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges in Stone Heritage Conservation)
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25 pages, 9185 KiB  
Article
Stone Endurance: A Comparative Analysis of Natural and Artificial Weathering on Stone Longevity
by Carla Lisci, Fabio Sitzia, Vera Pires, Marco Aniceto and José Mirão
Heritage 2023, 6(6), 4593-4617; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6060244 - 2 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2862
Abstract
The long-term endurance of building stones must be assured since their longevity has repercussions for their economic and social value. Frequently, slabs for flooring and cladding are installed with polished finishing in outdoor environments for technical and ornamental purposes in cultural heritage sites [...] Read more.
The long-term endurance of building stones must be assured since their longevity has repercussions for their economic and social value. Frequently, slabs for flooring and cladding are installed with polished finishing in outdoor environments for technical and ornamental purposes in cultural heritage sites and modern civil architecture. Compared to any other finishing, glossy surfaces are rather vulnerable to wear, particularly when they interact with slightly acidic rainwater. Several hydrophobic treatments are applied to prevent this damage by preventing contact between rain and stone; such treatments are efficient but sometimes non-durable. Stakeholders and conservation scientists need better methods to anticipate the future behaviour of this building material and hydrophobic solutions. Complying with this demand, a comparison is made between outdoor natural ageing and artificial weathering, reproduced by UVA radiation, moisture and spray accelerated weathering. Artificial weathering is applied to predict the behaviour of stones over time in the real environment. Data obtained through the measurement of gloss and colour parameters, the detection of micro-textures through SEM, and the calculation of micro-roughness using a digital rugosimeter demonstrate that weakly acidic rainwater is the main cause of superficial decay of stone finishing over just six months of outdoor exposure. This period corresponds to 7–14 days of artificial weathering. Furthermore, the loss of efficiency and durability of the hydrophobic coatings is detected by measuring the static contact angle. This highlights that even if a protective treatment was proficient, it could easily deteriorate in normal weathering conditions if applied on polished, low-porosity stone. Additionally, water vapour permeability indicates variations of regular vapour transmission through the stones due to ageing. The first solution to threats is the prevention of pathologies, including aesthetic ones. A careful choice of the most suitable lithotype finish and an environmental study represent an existing solution to the problem. It must be highlighted that aesthetic requirements should not be prioritised to detriment of the technical requirements of architectural quality, performance, durability, and safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges in Stone Heritage Conservation)
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16 pages, 40001 KiB  
Article
Geological Insights on the Calcareous Tufas (Pietra Spugna) Used as Building and Ornamental Stones in the UNESCO Historical Centre of Urbino (Marche Region, Italy)
by Patrizia Santi, Alberto Renzulli, Francesco Veneri, Gianluigi Tonelli, Mario Tramontana, Marco Taussi, Lucio Calcagnile and Gianluca Quarta
Heritage 2023, 6(5), 4227-4242; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage6050223 - 9 May 2023
Viewed by 2241
Abstract
This study is addressed at the cultural heritage of the UNESCO historical centre of Urbino (Italy) through the focus on a very peculiar building and ornamental carbonate porous (spongy) stone also found in the opus quadratum Roman dry walls. For these rocks, the [...] Read more.
This study is addressed at the cultural heritage of the UNESCO historical centre of Urbino (Italy) through the focus on a very peculiar building and ornamental carbonate porous (spongy) stone also found in the opus quadratum Roman dry walls. For these rocks, the mathematician and historian Bernardino Baldi (16th century AD) and the mineralogist Francesco Rodolico (middle of the 20th century AD) introduced, respectively, the popular terms of Tufo spugnoso or Pietra Spugna. Physical observations and stable isotope data (δ13C and δ18O) of these rocks allowed, for the first time, their classification as calcareous tufas, thus contributing to the valorization of the stone heritage of the city. This carbonate lithotype was formed by the chemical precipitation of CaCO3, driven by the CO2 degassing of supersaturated calcium-bicarbonate-rich waters, coupled with the passive encrustations of organic material in continental environments. Radiocarbon analyses dated these stones mostly between 9100 and 4700 yr. BP when a maximum growth of these carbonate continental deposits occurred in Mediterranean regions and northern Europe, i.e., during the Holocene Atlantic climatic optimum. Work is still in progress on a perched springline of calcareous tufas found along the Metauro Valley (a few km from Urbino), being good candidates for provenance, at least for those blocks exploited by the Romans and successively reused in the architectural framework of Urbino. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Challenges in Stone Heritage Conservation)
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