Bioreceptivity is a natural phenomenon that has been observed on building material for many years. Bioreceptivity is when materials are being colonized by one or more species of living organisms without necessarily going under biodeterioration. (Guillitte, 1995) Based on the literature, bioreceptivity depends on three main factors: on climatic cond...
Les ciments traditionnels contiennent du clinker Portland qui est à l’origine de fortes émissions de gaz à effet de serre. C’est pourquoi de nouveaux ciments plus éco-respectueux, tels que les ciments sulfo-alumineux, sont actuellement développés. Cette étude s’intéresse au processus de biodégradation de deux de ces ciments (CSA B et CSA F), par co...
A bioreceptive material allows for biological content (biofilms) to grow on it, without necessarily affecting the material itself. If a bioreceptive concrete could therefore be integrated into a building façade, it could lead to green façades that do not need additional technical systems. As part of previous research by the authors, a promising bio...
Increased urbanisation will put an increasing strain on our green spaces, which is expected to have a significant effect on our physical and mental health, as well as the health of our ecosystems. As such it is important to integrate more green spaces in our urban fabric. One way of doing this is by making use of so-called bioreceptive concrete on ...
The effect of mortar and brick properties on the growth of ivy-leaved toadflax (Cymbalaria muralis) and yellow corydalis (Pseudofumaria lutea) has been investigated in laboratory. Different mortar compositions were designed and tested in combination with two different bricks. Highly porous bricks and mortars showed good bioreceptivity; mortars with...
Published in World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
Lithobionts (rock-dwelling organisms) have been recognized as agents of aesthetic and physico-chemical deterioration of stonework. In consequence, their removal from cultural heritage stone surfaces (CHSS) is widely considered a necessary step in conservation interventions. On the other hand, lithobiontic communities, including microbial biofilms (...
The world population will continue to grow, resulting in an overpopulated planet and increased urbanization. This creates several problems, such as heat stress in cities, reduced biodiversity and the disappearance of greenery in cities. The World Health Organization has made a list of indicators based on which the sustainability of cities can be as...
Rapidly expanding urban developments are having an inverse relationship on the surrounding urban environment. Facades and the materials that they are composed of can have a large impact on the warming of urban microclimates. By reducing or cooling the external surfaces of a facade a building maybe able to offset its contribution to the urban heat i...
Published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research
The Cyanobacterium Oculatella subterranea Zammit, Billi, Albertano inhabits hypogea and stone caves and is a pioneer of different stone substrata. In this study, a strain isolated from the House of Marco Castricio (Archaeological Park of Pompeii, Italy) was identified by a polyphasic approach and used for an in vitro colonization test to verify the...
The potential use of a new type of green façade based on the growth of lichens on a concrete substrate is investigated. Lichens are unique life forms characterized by a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga, drawing all its nutrients from the air and the rain.
The strategy was to use limestone and calcined clay in the mix design. The r...
