Lichen impact on sandstone hardness is species-specific

The balance between lichen biodeterioration and bioprotection processes on stone surfaces depends on many variables and is crucial to understanding the role of lichens in biogeomorphology and their threat to stone heritage conservation. However, stones colonized by lichens have still been mostly examined in terms of affected volumes and physico-chemical modes of interactions, overlooking the overall effects on properties related to surface durability. In this study, the impact of lichen colonization patterns on Cortemilia sandstone was examined beneath thalli of three lichen species. Rock hardness, a proxy for rock durability, was measured at different depths from the surface using an Equotip hardness tester and compared to that of freshly cut surfaces and exposed surfaces uncolonized by lichens. Mineralogical analyses were performed by X-ray powder diffraction on rock beneath lichen colonization, in comparison with unweathered rock. Equotip analyses quantified a differential, species-specific decrease in stone hardness. This variability was related to differences in hyphal penetration patterns and, possibly, calcite (re-)precipitation. In particular, in the case of the species most impacting rock hardness, X-ray diffraction patterns of calcite showed a remarkable stability of crystallographic plane (01-12), known to be enhanced in the presence of organic chelants. These results confirm that decisions on lichen removal from stone surfaces should consider species-specific behaviour. Moreover, the innovative approach of measuring stone hardness variation in association with the analysis of biomineralization processes contributes to unveil the extension of the sphere of lichen interaction within the stone substrate beyond the limit of the hyphal penetration.