Calcite moonmilk of microbial origin in the Etruscan Tomba degli Scudi in Tarquinia, Italy. Issue 1 (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cirigliano, Angela; Tomassetti, Maria; Pietro, Marta; Mura, Francesco; Maneschi, Maria; Gentili, Maria; Cardazzo, Barbara; Arrighi, Chiara; Mazzoni, Cristina; Negri, Rodolfo; Rinaldi, Teresa
• Is Part Of: Scientific reports. Volume 8:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Natural history -- Research -- Periodicals; Biology -- Research -- Periodicals; Physical sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 502.85
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34134-y
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-2322

Abstract

Abstract A white deposit covering the walls in theStanza degli Scudi of theTomba degli Scudi, Tarquinia, Italy, has been investigated. In this chamber, which is still preserved from any kind of intervention such as cleaning and sanitization, ancient Etruscans painted shields to celebrate the military power of the Velcha family. Scanning electron microscopy analysis has revealed the presence of characteristic nanostructures corresponding to a calcite secondary mineral deposit called moonmilk. Analysis of the microbial community identifiedProteobacteria, Acidobacteria andActinobacteria as the most common phyla in strong association with the moonmilk needle fibre calcite and nanofibers of calcium carbonate. Employing classical microbiological analysis, we isolated from moonmilk aStreptomyces strain able to deposit gypsum and calcium carbonate on plates, supporting the hypothesis of an essential contribution of microorganisms to the formation of moonmilk.