BIOLOGICAL MACRO AND MICRO SYSTEMS CO-EXISTING IN THE “FOUNTAIN OF THE TWO DRAGONS”, PALERMO

Stone works of art located outdoors are exposed to natural deterioration, due to several physical, chemical and biological factors. Biological macro- and micro-systems (e.g. weeds, insects, algae, mosses, fungi and bacteria) may induce the biodeteriora- tion of stone materials. In February 2014, the state of conservation of the Fountain of the two Dragons in Palermo was examined, during which time biological colonization in some areas of the fountain and statues, was also detected. The monument represents an excellent substrate for the development and growth of microrganisms and organ- isms that need a continuous supply of water. Direct solar irradiance promotes the de- velopment of photoautotrophic organisms, bryophyte ora, in addition to several micro- bial genera, responsible for pigmentation, discoloring, ef orescence. After autotrophic colonization, some organisms nd an ideal habitat also during wintertime, including two species of gastropods and two species of Hemiptera, omnivorous, a species of Collembola, mostly fungivorous. This interdisciplinary study has enabled the detection and identi cation of different biological communities, providing information for a subse- quent project of preventive conservation of the fountain and its surroundings.