Dimensional stability and hygroscopic properties of waterlogged archaeological wood treated with alkoxysilanes

Structural and chemical deterioration and its impact on cell wall mechanics were investigated for visually intact cell walls (VICWs) in waterlogged archaeological wood (WAW). Cell wall mechanical properties were examined by nanoindentation without prior embedding. WAW showed more than 25% decrease of both hardness and elastic modulus. Changes of cell wall composition, cellulose crystallite structure and porosity were investigated by ATR-FTIR imaging, Raman imaging, wet chemistry, 13C-solid state NMR, pyrolysis-GC/MS, wide angle X-ray scattering, and N2 nitrogen adsorption. VICWs in WAW possessed a cleavage of carboxyl in side chains of xylan, a serious loss of polysaccharides, and a partial breakage of β-O-4 interlinks in lignin. This was accompanied by a higher amount of mesopores in cell walls. Even VICWs in WAW were severely deteriorated at the nanoscale with impact on mechanics, which has strong implications for the conservation of archaeological shipwrecks.

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New trials in the consolidation of waterlogged archaeological wood with different acetone-carried products

Journal of Archaeological Science ◽

10.1016/j.jas.2011.06.012 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 38 (11) ◽

pp. 2957-2967 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Gianna Giachi ◽

Chiara Capretti ◽

Ines D. Donato ◽

Nicola Macchioni ◽

Benedetto Pizzo

Keyword(s):

Archaeological Wood ◽

Waterlogged Archaeological Wood

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Hygroscopic properties of thermally modified false Iroko [Antiaris toxicara (Lesch)]

Journal of Agriculture Forestry and the Social Sciences ◽

10.4314/joafss.v18i1.7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 51-57

Author(s):

F.A. Faruwa ◽

K. Duru

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Dimensional Stability ◽

Thermal Process ◽

Colour Change ◽

Wood Properties ◽

Thermal Modification ◽

Hygroscopic Properties ◽

Different Temperatures ◽

Thermally Modified Wood ◽

Modified Wood

The study investigated the use of thermal modification to improve the hygroscopic properties of False Iroko [Antiaris toxicaria (Lesch)]. Samples of Antiaris toxicara Lesch wood were subjected to thermal modification in a furnace at temperatures of 160, 180 and 200°C for 30 and 60 minutes. Results showed that wood properties were improved with exposure to different temperatures. Subsequent to the thermal process, a colour change from pale yellow to darkish brown was observed progressively with increase in temperature, accompanied by a weight loss in the range of 12.08% to 23.67%. The outcome of these treatments resulted in a decrease in volumetric swelling and increase in dimensional stability of modified wood; this can be attributed to observed decrease in moisture intake. The thermal modification of Antiaris toxicara Lesch wood affected the dimensional stability properties. Thus, due to significant changes via modification carried out on the selected species which is classified as lesser utilized wood species, lesser utilized wood,Antiaristoxicara Lesch wood is recommended for use due to its efficient dimensional stability after modification . keywords:, Thermally modified wood ;False Iroko

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Identification of Bacteria from Waterlogged Archaeological Wood

Heritage Microbiology and Science ◽

10.1039/9781847558633-00151 ◽

2008 ◽

pp. 151-155

Keyword(s):

Archaeological Wood ◽

Waterlogged Archaeological Wood ◽

Identification Of Bacteria

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Essential Oils as Alternative Biocides for the Preservation of Waterlogged Archaeological Wood

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms8122015 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 2015

Author(s):

Federica Antonelli ◽

Marco Bartolini ◽

Marie-Laure Plissonnier ◽

Alfonso Esposito ◽

Giulia Galotta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oils ◽

Inhibitory Concentration ◽

Treated Wood ◽

Biological Degradation ◽

Archaeological Wood ◽

Waterlogged Archaeological Wood ◽

Materials Used ◽

And Storage ◽

Generation Sequencing

Waterlogged archaeological wood is exposed to a high risk of biological degradation during the post-excavation phases of storage and restoration. For this reason, often biocides must be used to preserve wooden remains. In the present work three essential oils (cinnamon, wild thyme, and common thyme) were tested as possible alternative biocides to use in the preservation of waterlogged archaeological wood. The oils were first tested in vitro to establish the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and to evaluate the biocidal activity on selected fungal strains. Then, the established MIC was applied on waterlogged archaeological wood samples and during an actual restoration treatment. The effectiveness of the oils was evaluated through cultural analyses, ATP quantification, and next-generation sequencing. The results showed that the oils caused a significant decrease in the vitality of fungal mycelia grown in vitro and of the microbiota present in treated wood and storage water. Furthermore, an influence on the composition of the bacterial communities of treated wood samples was observed. Although further tests are needed to evaluate interferences with the materials used during restoration procedures, essential oils could be considered as a possible alternative to the currently used biocide.

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