Lichen growth on a concrete dam in a rural environment (Tandil, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina)

Title: Lichen growth on a concrete dam in a rural environment (Tandil, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina)
Author(s): V. G. Rosato, L. P. Traversa
Paper category : conference
Book title: First International RILEM Workshop on Microbial Impact on Building Materials
Editor(s): M. Ribas Silva
Print-ISBN: None
e-ISBN: 2351580133
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2000
Pages: 64 - 69
Total Pages: 6
Nb references: 7
Language: English

Abstract: The Tandil Dam (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina) is a concrete structure built in 1962 and placed in a rural environment. Because of its age the superficial layer is carbonated (pH < 9). This pH allows lichens to grow, since they can’t tolerate the higher pH of younger concrete (pH = 13).
Lichens were collected by scraping them out and identified with stereoscopic and optical microscope observations, as well as histochemical reactions.
The most common and widespread species was Caloplaca citrina. This species causes superficial erosion of the concrete both by mechanical and chemical action.
The lichen species have a clear distribution pattern: the yellow species grow in the upper part; the grey/green species are in the middle part and the black species in the lower part. This distribution pattern was also described in the Covenham Reservoir Wave Wall (Lincolnshire, U.K.) The lichens found are similar, too, because they belong to the same genera (but different species). Only the black species differ.

Online publication: 2000-06-30
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00
doi: 10.1617/2351580133.010