Carbonatogenesis: microbial contribution to the conservation of monuments and artwork of stone

Over the last few decades there has been increasing global concern over the deterioration of historical monuments and stone works of art. It has posed a big challenge for the archaeologist, geobiologists and bioconservators and consequently encouraged the search for developing novel preventive and remedial methodologies for safeguarding these sculptural monuments and stone works of art. Many conventional methods which rely on use of physical and chemical treatments have been applied but none of them have yielded satisfactory results. Recently, bioconservation and consolidation methods employing carbonatogenic microbes have received much attention. These microorganisms can precipitate calcium carbonate and, thereby, confer protection to historic monuments