Efficiency and countereffects of cleaning treatment on limestone surfaces investigation on the Corfu Venetian Fortress

摘要

Surface alterations of the original limestone and the efficiency of several cleaning methods were investigated on the Corfu Venetian Fortress facade. Black crusts of gypsum dendrites and loose depositions or black-grey calcareous encrustations in combination with biological decay were identified as main decay processes. The cleaning treatments, chosen according to their acting on the stone surface, were: sepiolite for solvent action, ammonium bicarbonate for exchange action, EDTA for the chemical chelating action, hydrogen peroxide for chemical action on biological species and nylon brushes for physical action.