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Characterization of Biodegradation of Fiber Cement Shingles by Scytonema Sp. Using Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 July 2020

Barbara A. Reine  and
Colin Murphy
Barbara A. Reine
Affiliation:
Lab/Cor, Inc., 7619 6th Ave. NW, Seattle, WA98117
Colin Murphy
Affiliation:
Exterior Research & Design, LLC, 2412 7, THAve. W., Suite 101, Seattle, WA98119
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Abstract

Fiber cement roofing shingles from condominiums in Hawaii were examined for deterioration using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The product has a 50 year warranty and had been in service since 1994. Shingle samples were taken in August and September, 2000 after a growing volume of reports of roofing deterioration were received by the condominium association. Close-up visual inspection confirmed that the roof areas showing deterioration were covered with a black growth. Roofing samples from areas exhibiting deterioration, areas with no deterioration, and new material were compared by microscopy.

Examination of the black growth by optical microscopy revealed it to be primarily the Cyanobacterium, Scytonema sp.This is a filamentous organism found from the Arctic to the Antarctic, and is common to Oahu and Maui.’ Other organisms observed to be present are Chroococus sp., Gloeocapsa sp., Aphanocapsa sp., Oscillatoria sp.,a very few Trebouxia sp.and lichens.

Type
Forensics and Environmental Issues (Organized by J. Woodward and P. Crozier)
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 7 , Issue S2: Proceedings: Microscopy & Microanalysis 2001, Microscopy Society of America 59th Annual Meeting, Microbeam Analysis Society 35th Annual Meeting, Long Beach, California August 5-9, 2001 , August 2001 , pp. 472 - 473
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2001

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References

1.Guinther, E. B., List of Species from Aquatic Environments (Brackish and Fresh Water) in the Hawaiian Islands (2000). http://home.hawaii.rr.com/cpie/Fwaterla.htmlGoogle Scholar