Fungal community dynamics on limestone at the Chichén Itzá archaeological site in Mexico driven by protective treatments

Abstract

Microorganisms naturally colonize rock-based materials in outdoor environments, thereby contributing to their degradation. Fungi, especially in tropical environments with abundant water and favorable temperatures, play a significant role in biodegradation. However, many aspects of the microorganism-stone interaction, including fungal colonization dynamics and the impact of treatment applications, remain unclear. This study conducted a four-year in-situ evaluation of fungal community dynamics on limestone surfaces in the Temple of the Warriors at the Chichén Itzá archaeological site in Mexico, focusing on cleaning and treatment using nanoparticles (NPs). These NPs included zinc oxide (ZnO) and CaZn2(OH)6·2H2O (CZ)-based NPs synthesized via sol-gel (CZ-SG) and mechanochemical methods (CZ-MC), as well as CZ/Ca(OH)2-based products (CZ:Ca-SG). The microbial colonization cover was assessed using colorimetric measurements, and the surface was sampled for fungal community isolation and identification. The results demonstrated significant impacts of cleaning and nanomaterial applications on cultivable fungal communities (melanized filamentous, hyaline, and microcolonial fungi), altering composition, dynamics, and stone surface coloration. In particular, ZnO NPs caused 50 % decline in fungal species and individuals, whereas CZ:Ca-SG NPs displaced most species, indicating effective inhibition of the cultivable fungal community. Microcolonial fungi (MCF), known for their tolerance to withstand harsh environmental conditions, were the only fungal group found in the CZ:Ca-SG treatment. In contrast, CZ-SG and CZ-MC increased the abundance of melanized species, resulting in darkening and reduced color intensity. This study highlights the importance of microcolonial fungi that are tolerant to cleaning and coating procedures in the preservation of stone cultural heritage. These findings enhance our understanding of fungal colonization dynamics following treatment and provide valuable insights into the challenges associated with preserving stone materials in tropical environments.