Assessment of Biofilm Inhabitants of Deteriorated Surfaces of Heritage Sites

A comparative analysis of bacterial biofilm inhabitants on deteriorated surfaces of two UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Ajanta Caves (AJC)—reveals distinct microbial communities and functional profiles. While both sites host common environmental bacteria like Pseudomonas and Bacillus, AJC exhibits significantly higher bacterial diversity than CSMT, which is better maintained. Metagenomic sequencing identified abundant sulfate reducers (15.4% in CSMT vs. 29.8% in AJC) and nitrate reducers (36.3% in CSMT vs. 25.1% in AJC), suggesting their role in surface deterioration. Biofilm-associated genes (alg1 and pelA) were detected, indicating the presence of biofilm-forming bacteria on heritage surfaces. This integrated approach offers a framework for tracking biofilm bacteria to assess risks and guide conservation strategies.

Yesankar, P. J., Pal, M., Salok, A., & Qureshi, A. (2022). Assessment of Biofilm Inhabitants of Deteriorated Surfaces of Heritage Sites. Geomicrobiology Journal, 39(10), 906–915. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490451.2022.2097342