Protection of Mayan Archeological Sites in Southern Mexico from Biodeterioration

9710577米切尔迫切需要保护墨西哥南部的玛雅考古遗址，防止其进一步恶化。高湿度和高温度的结合，加上旅游活动的增加，正在导致这些重要的历史遗迹迅速恶化。玛雅建筑中使用的大部分材料是软石灰岩，这种材料在机械上很脆弱，容易受到生物变质的影响。这项研究的目的是确定这些材料对微生物活动降解的敏感性程度，并测试保护建筑材料免受进一步恶化的方法。该研究项目将与马雅布大学工程学院密切合作开展。在研究的第一阶段，我们将确定从考古遗址采集的石灰石样品上微生物的性质和活性。微生物区系的定性分析将采用生理和遗传两种方法。结石侵袭的定量测定将包括微生物群的图像分析和结石中钙释放量的测量。将对来自许多不同地点的石头进行退化研究。在研究的第二阶段，将测试人工聚合物固结剂和杀菌剂对石灰石的保护能力。AR聚合物将在各种环境条件下进行生物降解敏感性测试。电化学阻抗谱将作为主要的分析工具。待测试的杀菌剂将是环境可接受的，并且需要与固化剂兼容。该项目的最后阶段将在实地测试固结剂和杀菌剂组合的保护能力。经过处理的石头样品将被放置在不同的温度、湿度和有机碳沉积的测试地点。分析将包括对真菌和细菌生长的保护，聚合物的恶化，以及底层石头的降解。该项目的意义在于提供有关玛雅考古遗址退化机制的信息。这项研究将为保护这些遗址的方法提供信息。预计这项研究将有助于保护墨西哥南部和其他类似地区的这些重要历史遗址。此外，我们期待来自玛雅大学工程学院的研究生和博士后学者在哈佛度过一段时间，我们将协助他们的培训。*＊*

9710577 Mitchell There is an urgent need to protect Mayan archeological sites in southern Mexico from further deterioration. The combination of high humidity and temperature, together with increased tourist activity, is causing rapid deterioration of these important historic sites. Much of the material used in the construction of Mayan buildings was soft limestone, which is mechanically weak and susceptible to biodeterioration. The objectives of this research will be to determine the degree of susceptibility of these materials to degradation by microbial activity and to test methods for protection of the building materials against further deterioration. This research program will be carried out in close cooperation with the Escuela de Ingenieria, Universidad del Mayab. In the first phase of the research we will determine the nature and activity of the microorganisms on limestone samples taken from archeological sites. Qualitative analysis of the microflora will utilize both physiological and genetic methods. Quantitative determination of the attack of the stone will involve image analysis of the microflora and measurement of calcium release from the stone. Degradation studies will be made on the stone from a number of different sites. In the second phase of the research both artificial polymeric consolidants and biocides will be tested for their ability to protect the limestone. AR polymers will be tested under a variety of environmental conditions for susceptibility to biodegradation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy will be used as a primary analytic tool. Biocides to be tested will be environmentally acceptable and will need to be compatible with the consolidants. The final phase of this project will be to test the protective ability of combinations of consolidants and biocides in the field. Treated stone samples will be placed at different test sites with varying temperature, humidity, and organic carbon deposition. Analysis will incl ude protection against growth of fungi and bacteria, deterioration of the polymer, and degradation of the underlying stone. The significance of this project will be to provide information about the mechanisms of deterioration of Mayan archeological sites. The research will provide information about methods for protecting these sites. It is expected that the research will help to provide protection of these important historic sites in southern Mexico and other similar areas. In addition, we expect that graduate students and post-doctoral scholars from Escuela de Ingenieria, Universidad del Mayab will spend time at Harvard, and that we will assist in their training. ***