Protection of Mayan Archeological Sites in Southern Mexico from Biodeterioration

9710577米切尔有一个迫切需要保护玛雅考古遗址在墨西哥南部进一步恶化。 高湿度和高温加上旅游活动增加，使这些重要的历史遗迹迅速恶化。 玛雅建筑所用的大部分材料都是软石灰石，这种材料机械性能差，容易发生生物降解。 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程度，并测试保护建筑材料免受进一步恶化的方法。 这项研究计划将与Escuela de Ingenieria，Universidad del Mayab密切合作。 在研究的第一阶段，我们将确定从考古遗址采集的石灰岩样品上微生物的性质和活动。 微生物区系的定性分析将利用生理学和遗传学方法。 结石侵袭的定量测定将涉及微生物群落的图像分析和从结石释放的钙的测量。 将对一些不同地点的石头进行降解研究。 在研究的第二阶段，将测试人造聚合物固化剂和杀生物剂保护石灰石的能力。 AR聚合物将在各种环境条件下进行生物降解敏感性测试。 电化学阻抗谱将被用作主要的分析工具。 待测试的杀生物剂将是环境可接受的，并且需要与固结剂相容。 该项目的最后阶段将是测试现场加固剂和杀生物剂组合的保护能力。 经过处理的石材样品将被放置在不同的温度、湿度和有机碳沉积的不同测试地点。 分析将包括防止真菌和细菌的生长、聚合物的劣化以及底层石头的降解。 这一项目的意义在于提供有关玛雅考古遗址退化机制的信息。 这项研究将提供有关保护这些遗址的方法的信息。 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，我们希望来自Escuela de Ingenieria，Universidad del Mayab的研究生和博士后学者将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. ***