Fungi in weathered sandstone from Salamanca cathedral, Spain

Abstract

Fungi are usually present on weathered sandstone from the cathedral of Salamanca, Spain as demonstrated by the isolation of 26 different species. The principal genera of fungi isolated were Penicillium, Phoma, Cladosporium, Trichoderma and Fusarium. Penicillium and Trichoderma are acid-producing species, whereas Cladosporium and Phoma do not acidify the medium. Fusarium species are both acid- and non-acid producing. These fungi were most abundant on the facades with evident algal growth, from which the fungi appear to derive the organic matter needed as a carbon source. © 1991.