Biodeterioration of Tabebuia sp. wood used in water cooling tower

Title: Biodeterioration of Tabebuia sp. wood used in water cooling tower
Author(s): S. Brazolin, M. B. B. Monteiro, M. Tomazello, I. H. Schoenlein-Crusius
Paper category : conference
Book title: First International RILEM Workshop on Microbial Impact on Building Materials
Editor(s): M. Ribas Silva
Print-ISBN: None
e-ISBN: 2351580133
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2000
Pages: 34 - 39
Total Pages: 6
Nb references: 17
Language: English

Abstract: Tabebuia sp. (ipê), a native Brazilian hardwood, is considered of high natural resistance to decaying fungi, and has been used in harsh environments, as water cooling towers.
Macro and microscopic analysis of Tabebuia sp wood in a cooling tower revealed the biological attack caused by white-rot, brown-rot and soft-rot fungi. The brown-rot and white-rot was observed in the wood located in plenum area of the towers (non-flooded portions) and soft-rot attack was observed in a widespread way in the flooded area (mist eliminator and packing). The soft-rot attack was identified as type 1 described by the formation of cavities in the cell wall of the wood with different sizes and shapes.. Fiftyone mitosporic fungi (Fungi Imperfecti) were isolated from the deteriorated Tabebuia sp.
wood samples of the tower. The degradation capability of these fungi was evaluated by soft-rot tests using Eucalyptus grandis and Pinus elliottii wood. The microscopic examination of wood sections showed that Acremonium sp., A. kiliense, Phialophora sp.
and Phialophora butyrii caused type 1 soft-rot attack in both wood species, while Fusarium oxysporum, Gliocladium spp., Moniliella-like, Penicillium sp., Aureobasidium pullulans, Trichoderma spp. and Verticillium sp. were not able to produce the same attack. These results suggested that Acremonium spp. and Phialophora spp. were important decaying organisms of Tabebuia sp. in the cooling tower.

Online publication: 2000-06-30
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00
doi: 10.1617/2351580133.005