The inhibition of biodegradation on building limestone by plasma etching

Plasma etching emerges as a promising, eco-friendly method for inhibiting microbial biodegradation on limestone surfaces. Research demonstrates that low-pressure plasma discharge effectively ruptures microbial cell structures and removes bio-crusts from oolitic limestone, such as that found in the UNESCO-listed Batalha Monastery in Portugal. Beyond cleaning, plasma treatment decomposes sugar-containing compounds, depriving microorganisms of a key nutrient source and thus suppressing their growth. This dual action—physical disruption and metabolic inhibition—positions plasma etching as a rapid conservation tool to prevent bio-colonization on heritage stone architecture. The study employed FTIR spectroscopy, SEM imaging, optical microscopy, and cell viability assays to validate these effects.

Ding, Y., Caldeira, A. T., Salvador, C., Grassini, S., Angelini, E., & Schiavon, N. (2021). The inhibition of biodegradation on building limestone by plasma etching. Acta Imeko, 10(3), 209. https://doi.org/10.21014/acta_imeko.v10i3.1162