Substrate type and light intensity determine <i>lampenflora</i> concentration on paleontological remains in show caves.

ABSTRACT: Artificial lighting in show caves is responsible for the growth of nuisance photosynthetic organisms, the so-called lampenflora, causing aesthetic, chemical and physical damage to cave cultural heritage, including paleontological resources in situ. This study focuses on the role of substrate in determining the concentration of lampenflora on paleontological findings in show caves, using the bone deposit "Cimitero degli Orsi" in the Toirano show cave (NW-Italy) as a testing ground. Specifically, we investigated whether the concentration of three distinct photosynthetic microorganisms-cyanobacteria, diatoms, and green algae-varies on different substrates, i.e., bones, rock, and soil, also keeping into account the role of light intensity. Our findings revealed that

SUBMITTER: Piano E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12356184 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature