ABSTRACT
Cultural heritage objects are damaged by various agents like atmospheric agents, condensation or capillary humidity, temperature range, human action and microorganisms. A wide variety of organisms like Bacteria, Fungi, Algae and Plants etc. have been reported in the degradation of monuments (Realini et al. 1985). Microbes are more important than other agents. The intensity of damage is determined by the type and dimension of the microorganism involved, the kind of material used and level of pollution. Deteriorating agents can modify the composition and structure of stone, wood and metal used in artifact. In situ deterioration process is influenced by vital activity of living organisms. Although biodeterioration is an essential process in environmental cycling of matter but this may lead to loss of valuable cultural property. The monument alteration by living organisms is usually indicative of an advanced state of deterioration predetermined by chemical and physical
processes, which lead to increased surface area by formation of fissures that provide area for colonization of living organism. The growth process and vegetative development of organisms have a direct consequence on the growth of the microorganism.
