scholarly journals Plastics in Heritage Science: Analytical Pyrolysis Techniques Applied to Objects of Design

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 1705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacopo La Nasa ◽  
Greta Biale ◽  
Barbara Ferriani ◽  
Rafaela Trevisan ◽  
Maria Perla Colombini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Compositional Data ◽  
Evolved Gas Analysis ◽  
Polymeric Materials ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Analytical Pyrolysis ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Degradation Processes ◽  
Design Objects

The first synthetic polymers were introduced as constituents of everyday life, design objects, and artworks at the end of the 19th century. Since then, the history of design has been strictly connected with the 20th century evolution of plastic materials. Objects of design from the 20th century are today a precious part of the cultural heritage. They raise specific conservation issues due to the degradation processes affecting synthetic polymer-based plastics. Museums and collections dealing with the conservation of design objects and modern materials need to base their conservation strategies on compositional data that reveal the formulations of historical plastics and their decay processes. Specific and specifically optimized analytical tools are thus needed. We employed flash analytical pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and evolved gas analysis coupled with mass spectrometry (EGA-MS) to characterize “historic polymeric materials” (HIPOMS) and heritage plastics at the molecular level with high chemical detail. This approach complements non-invasive spectroscopic diagnosis whenever it fails to obtain significant or complete information on the nature and the state of preservation of the materials under study. We determined the composition of several 20th century design objects (1954–1994) from the Triennale Design Museum of Milan (Triennale Milano - Museo del Design Italiano), which for different morphological, chemical, or physical reasons were unsuitable for characterization by non-invasive spectroscopy. EGA-MS proved capable for the study of the different fractions constituting heterogeneous micro-samples and for gaining an insight into their degradation processes from the contextual interpretation of thermal and mass-spectrometric data.

scholarly journals Analytical Pyrolysis and Mass Spectrometry to Characterise Lignin in Archaeological Wood

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 240
Author(s):  
Jeannette Jacqueline Lucejko ◽  
Diego Tamburini ◽  
Francesca Modugno ◽  
Erika Ribechini ◽  
Maria Perla Colombini
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Evolved Gas Analysis ◽  
Gas Analysis ◽  
Wood Preservation ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Analytical Pyrolysis ◽  
Pyrolysis Gas ◽  
Preventive Conservation ◽  
Archaeological Wood ◽  
Direct Exposure

This review describes the capability of analytical pyrolysis-based techniques to provide data on lignin composition and on the chemical alteration undergone by lignin in archaeological wooden objects. Applications of Direct Exposure Mass Spectrometry (DE-MS), Evolved Gas Analysis Mass Spectrometry (EGA-MS), and single and double-shot Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) in archaeological lignin characterisation are described. With comparison to cellulose and hemicelluloses, lignin is generally less prone to most degradation processes affecting archaeological artefacts in burial environments, especially waterlogged ones, which are the most favourable for wood preservation. Nevertheless, lignin also undergoes significant chemical changes. As wood from waterlogged environments is mainly composed of lignin, knowledge of its chemical structure and degradation pathways is fundamental for choosing preventive conservation conditions and for optimising consolidation methods and materials, which directly interact with the residual lignin. Analytical pyrolysis coupled with mass spectrometry, used in several complementary operational modes, can gather information regarding the chemical modifications and the state of preservation of lignin, especially concerning oxidation and depolymerisation phenomena. Several applications to the analysis of wood from archaeological artefacts affected by different conservation problems are presented to showcase the potential of analytical pyrolysis in various scenarios that can be encountered when investigating archaeological waterlogged wood.

Simple technique for the pyrolysis-mass spectrometry of polymeric materials

The Analyst ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 102 (1211) ◽  
pp. 143 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Hughes ◽  
B. B. Wheals ◽  
M. J. Whitehouse
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Simple Technique ◽  
Polymeric Materials ◽  
Pyrolysis Mass Spectrometry

scholarly journals Ochre-Based Pigments in the Tablinum of the House of the Bicentenary (Herculaneum, Italy) Between Decorative Technology and Natural Disasters

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Michele Secco ◽  
Leslie Rainer ◽  
Kiernan Graves ◽  
Arlen Heginbotham ◽  
Gilberto Artioli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Disasters ◽  
Analytical Approach ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Textural Properties ◽  
Thermal Alteration ◽  
Red Pigments ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Degradation Processes ◽  
Analytical Results ◽  
Color Scheme

Ochre-based pigments have been employed since the first artistic expressions of mankind, with widespread diffusion during the Roman civilization. Such prominent use influenced their technological development, focused on functional and aesthetic optimization through complex manufacturing procedures. Furthermore, their appearance is also influenced by degradation processes, sometimes driven by natural disasters such as the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, in which yellow ochres of Vesuvian sites were sometimes converted to red by thermal alteration. In this contribution, a multi-analytical approach was adopted based on preliminary non-invasive investigations complemented by laboratory analyses to characterize the painted surfaces of the tablinum of the House of the Bicentenary (Herculaneum) with a particular focus on the ochre-based monochrome backgrounds. The study was aimed at (a) reconstructing the original color scheme of the walls and (b) deciphering the complex decorative techniques adopted by Roman craftsmen. The analytical results allowed testing and defining analytical procedures for the discrimination between the original and converted red pigments. Furthermore, these studies indicated that specific decorative technologies were adopted according to aesthetic, functional, and economic purposes, including the utilization of various qualities of ochre with different compositional and textural properties, and the mixture of ochre pigments with other compounds.

scholarly journals Using non-invasive sampling methods to determine the prevalence and distribution of Chlamydia pecorum and koala retrovirus in a remnant koala population with conservation importance

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faye Wedrowicz ◽  
Jennifer Mosse ◽  
Wendy Wright ◽  
Fiona E. Hogan
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
The South ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Urogenital Infection ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Chlamydia Pecorum ◽  
Genetic Sampling ◽  
Pathogen Prevalence ◽  
Koala Retrovirus

Context Pathogenic infections are an important consideration for the conservation of native species, but obtaining such data from wild populations can be expensive and difficult. Two pathogens have been implicated in the decline of some koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations: urogenital infection with Chlamydia pecorum and koala retrovirus subgroup A (KoRV-A). Pathogen data for a wild koala population of conservation importance in South Gippsland, Victoria are essentially absent. Aims This study uses non-invasive sampling of koala scats to provide prevalence and genotype data for C. pecorum and KoRV-A in the South Gippsland koala population, and compares pathogen prevalence between wild koalas and koalas in rescue shelters. Methods C. pecorum and KoRV-A provirus were detected by PCR of DNA isolated from scats collected in the field. Pathogen genetic variation was investigated using DNA sequencing of the C. pecorum ompA and KoRV-A env genes. Key results C. pecorum and KoRV-A were detected in 61% and 27% of wild South Gippsland individuals tested, respectively. KoRV-A infection tended to be higher in shelter koalas compared with wild koalas. In contrast with other Victorian koala populations sampled, greater pathogen diversity was present in South Gippsland. Conclusions In the South Gippsland koala population, C. pecorum is widespread and common whereas KoRV appears less prevalent than previously thought. Further work exploring the dynamics of these pathogens in South Gippsland koalas is warranted and may help inform future conservation strategies for this important population. Implications Non-invasive genetic sampling from scats is a powerful method for obtaining data regarding pathogen prevalence and diversity in wildlife. The use of non-invasive methods for the study of pathogens may help fill research gaps in a way that would be difficult or expensive to achieve using traditional methods.

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