Micorbial Colonization of Materials at Innisfail, Queensland.

Abstract

Materials were exposed under a glass canopy at the cleared site at Joint Tropical Trials and Research Establishment, Innisfail, Queensland. Two series of exposures were made; one starting in the cool dry winter, the other in the hot-wet season. Growth of microorganisms was slow, particularly of algae which were not apparent until 30 weeks; tardiness was attributed to the samples being protected from rain so that the organisms were dependent upon atmospheric moisture and dew. An increase in the amount of growth was apparent after any week in which the mean relative humidity exceeded 87% or when 80% was exceeded for more than 125 hours. Cotton and wood provided the earliest growth and also supported the greatest amount and variety of fungi. Heavier growths were observed on acrylic paint and poly(vinyl chloride) after prolonged exposure. Cladosporium was the dominant fungal genus, being present on almost every occasion bay fungus was detected. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1979
Accession Number
ADA084229

Entities

People

  • F. John Upsher

Organizations

  • Defence Science and Technology Group

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkenes
  • Biodegradation
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Fungi
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Mycology
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Plastics
  • Security
  • Weather

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Mathematics or Statistics
  • Surface Coatings Technology.
  • Urban Planning and Geography.