Study of archaeological underwater finds: deterioration and conservation

This study is aimed at an assessment of themethodologies, instruments and new applications for underwaterarchaeology. Research focused on study of the variouskinds of degradation affecting underwater finds and stonematerials aged in underwater environment, efficiency evaluationof various surface cleaning methods and study andmixing of protective products with consolidating resins andantimicrobial biocides to be applied to restored underwaterfinds. Transmitted light optical microscopy and scanningelectron microscopy (SEM) were used to study surfacebiofilms and the interactions with samples of different stonematerials such as brick, marble and granite immersed in thesubmarine archaeological area of Crotone (South of Italy).Surface cleaning tests were performed with application ofion exchange resins, EDTA, hydrogen peroxide and ultrasoundtechniques. Capillary water absorption, simulated solarageing and colourimetric measurements were carried outto evaluate hydrophobic and consolidant properties; to assessbiocidal efficacy, heterotrophic micro-organisms (Aspergillusniger) were inoculated on agar plates and growthinhibition was measured