This research is an exploration of the environmental conditions for preserving photographic glass plates in storage and how environmental parameters influence each other. Understanding the extent to which environmental factors such as temperature, relative humidity, pollutants, and light can interact with one another—and recognizing that they cannot be assessed independently—can play a critical role in establishing suitable environmental conditions for these works, especially photographic glass plates. Based on conducted studies, photographic glass plates are subject to serious damage risks similar to other visual artworks and sometimes even more so. Given the historical and artistic value of these pieces, as well as their potential utility as documents providing valuable information, it becomes clear why preventive conservation measures for this category of artifacts are vital, especially considering that treatment and restoration processes can be extremely challenging or even impossible.The aim of this research is to introduce standard and appropriate environmental conditions for the preservation of photographic glass plates.The content presented in this article results from studies and observations derived from reviewing relevant literature on the topic while also taking into account the condition of existing works within collections dedicated to glass-based photography. This study identifies appropriate environmental conditions including temperature, humidity, light levels, and permissible pollutant thresholds for this category of artworks. Additionally, it examines how these various environmental parameters relate to one another and affect each other’s impact. At the same time, it addresses ways to control these environmental factors and prevent certain damages that may occur when suitable conditions are not maintained.
Biological contamination of paper artifacts is a significant threat, causing not only damage to the paper itself but also posing health risks to conservators and restorers who are in close contact with them. Therefore, identifying the type of contamination is crucial for effective preservation and restoration. This article focuses on identifying biological contamination in a collection of paper artifacts from the Imamzadeh Mohammad in Tafresh, Iran. Preliminary examinations revealed evidence of biological contamination, including stains resulting from biological activity. These stains are a consequence of biodeterioration, leading to a reduction in the structural and artistic quality of the artifacts. To investigate the biological contamination, samples were taken from areas suspected of contamination and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar (for fungal contamination) and nutrient agar (for bacterial contamination). After incubation, the grown colonies were examined and identified. The results of the identification of isolated fungal and bacterial showed contamination with various fungi, including Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and yeasts, as well as bacteria belonging to the Actinomycetes and Bacillus genus.
Valuable cultural heritage is always exposed to the invasion of biological agents and the resulting destruction, especially when the physical and chemical conditions of the work and its surrounding environment are compatible with the characteristics of an organism or a microorganism. Therefore, preventing the occurrence of such conditions and limiting the invasion of biological agents should be among the main and primary goals of every center. Over the years, various methods such as the use of disinfectants have been used to control biological agents in various historical and cultural collections. With the passage of time and increasing awareness of the harmful effects of these substances on the treated works, the environment and the users, nowadays the use of non-toxic alternative methods is more recommended. Experience has shown that the method that causes the least damage to collections and employees is preventive methods and regular control, which is possible through monitoring and managing the environment. Integrated pest management with the ultimate goal of removing harmful biological agents from a place is one of the long-term preventives and non-toxic methods of controlling biological agents that is used in many museums, archives, and libraries. In this article, along with a brief overview of biological deterioration and its preventive and control strategies, microbiological monitoring of the air inside 4 storerooms in the world heritage complex of Golestan Palace Museum including: the anthropological clothing, the manuscripts, the carpets, and the Painting storerooms was carried out. For this purpose, air sampling was done by sedimentation method and isolated microbial colonies on the culture media were investigated and identified. The results of the microbiological monitoring of the air inside the storerooms in this study showed that except for the carpet storeroom, other studied storerooms, including the anthropological clothing, the manuscript and the painting storerooms, are acceptable in terms of the number of microorganisms in the air.
