The extent of the microbial contamination of the seventeenth-century wall paintings in the nave of the old Church of the Holy Ascension (Veliki Krčimir, Serbia) was evaluated via newly implemented ATP bioluminescence method, and traditional cultivation-based method, utilising commercially available dip slides. To assess the validity of ATP, as a biomarker for rapid detection of mural surface contamination, obtained zones of cleanliness values, in range from 1.0 to 5.3, were compared to documented total microbial counts, ranging between seven and 247 CFU/cm². Small coefficients of determination, 0.0106–0.0385, suggest poor correlation between microbial counts and surface ATP levels; however, zones of cleanliness values are of great help in determining the high points of contamination, aka ‘hotspots’, which should be given special attention during sampling and investigation using other methods. In addition, various aspects of the possible implementation of the ATP bioluminescence method in an integrated system of wall painting conservation are discussed.

Biofilm forming microbial community dwelling on the surface of façade and biodeteriorated 17th century wall paintings of the old Church of the Holy Ascension (Veliki Krčimir, Serbia) was evaluated through microscopic analyses, in order to detect toxigenic agents and assess potential damage caused by biodeteriogens. Initial optical examination of adhesive tape samples revealed complex microbial community flourishing on deteriorated mural surfaces highly enriched with inorganic impurities and organic contaminants of plant and animal origin. A variety of fungal structures, such as melanized hyphae, chlamydospores, fruiting bodies, as well as spores for sexual and asexual reproduction, were predominant in all samples analysed. In addition, among actively growing micromycetes, dematiaceous microcolonial fungi and toxigenic Chaetomium and Cladosporium species were most frequent. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the presence of actinomycetes and highly developed mycelium network within the plaster and paint layers, as well as numerous Cladosporium -like conidial chains and Chaetomium lemon shaped ascospores. Such findings confirm our hypothesis that pulverization of painted layers was most likely due to hyphal penetration and formation of fruiting bodies and other fungal structures. Interestingly, although several green algae were documented on the surface of wall paintings and façade, no cyanobacteria were observed in any of the analysed samples.

Investigating forces driving the structure of aquatic communities has long been an important issue in ecology. In the present study, we focused on the effects of changed water supply for aquaculture ponds on phytoplankton, zooplankton and macrozoobenthos communities during two seasons of rearing common carp. We compared these communities between two types of inflow water: surface sources of water – a reservoir pond, two open wells and a small stream and groundwater – deep tube well. Significant changes were observed in environmental variables after the introduction of the groundwater source: oxygen concentration and water hardness decreased, while conductivity, phosphorus and un-ionized ammonia increased. Results revealed that all investigated groups, except Mollusca (macrozoobenthos), decreased in species richness, abundance and biomass due to changed water chemistry, but differed in the level of susceptibility. Rotifera and Cladocera were the most affected showing a sharp decline in density and number of species since 66% of species disappeared from the ponds. The abundance of Copepoda was relatively high although significantly lower under new conditions, with adults being more tolerant to changed inflow water than nauplii larvae. Phytoplankton had the highest potential to replace previous species with newcomers more adapted to changed water chemistry, providing 36 immigrant species, whereas 49 became extinct. Although mainly influenced by fish predation, Chironomidae (macrozoobenthos) were undoubtedly affected by changed water chemistry. These results suggest profound changes in three key ecological groups produced by significant changes of important environmental variables and water quality after the shift from surface to groundwater supply. Phytoplankton, zooplankton and macrozoobenthos were used to assess effects of altering water supply from surface to groundwater in ponds.Our study revealed that increased conductivity led to decrease in abundance and diversity especially in zooplankton. Phytoplankton showed capability to accommodate to new conditions while macrozoobenthos was relatively tolerant.