M.I.S.S. M.A.R.S.

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M.I.S.S. - M.A.R.S.

• W. E. Krumbein
• ICBM, University of Oldenburg
• Germany

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Classification of Biostructures
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Classification of Biostructures
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Biopitting of Keats (Foreigner cemetery of Rome)
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Microbial and mechanical alterations of rock
surfaces
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What is Biopitting?

• Biopitting is a natural phenomenon related to
  the activity of rock inhabiting microbiota
• Biopitting is characteristic for erosional
  features more rapid and more specific than
  chemical or physical erosion
• Biopitting can be classified into several orders
  of magnitude (micro-,meso-,macro-,megapits)
• Biopitting can be classified by organism
  (bacterial, cyanobacterial, fungal, lichen
  generated structures)

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Biopitting is produced mainly by lichen and
fungal biofilms/networks

• Biopitting is produced by lichens, free living
  fungi, actinomycetes and bacteria including
  cyanobacteria.
• It was shown in the field and laboratory that
  they penetrate even resistant silicate rocks
  creating bioerosional structures
• Biopitting is a very fast biodeterioration
  process
• It proceeds chemical or mechanical upon chemical
  conditioning.

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The microbial Network detection
Make the Invisible visible, see the dimensions
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Microbial alterations of rock colour are
difficult to detect
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Black meristematic poikilophilic yeast form tiny
hard colonies and satellite colonies causing
stains mechanical perforation is typical
pigment formed can be excreted, and lead to
biopatina or rock varnish formation
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Biopatina formation on the monument and the quarry
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• In 1850 the Acropolis carried an orange patina
  created by lichens and fungi
• In 1900 the patina had changed to black stained
  patina created by surface growth of black yeast
  and cyanobacteria
• In 1950 the marble at the surface was white while
  the flora retreated into the rock

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Microcolonial fungi on limestone of the Negev
Desert and in marble of the Acropolis, Athens
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Microbially Altered Rock Surfaces (M.A.R.S.) -can
biologically produced alterations be analysed by
remote sensing techniques?