Colonising organisms as a biodegradation factor affecting historical wood materials at the former concentration camp of Auschwitz II – Birkenau

The former Auschwitz-Birkenau camp, which is under the care of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oświęcim, Poland, comprises historical edifices and objects commemorating the tragic events of the Second World War. These include wooden barracks as well as wooden elements of brick buildings – doors, floors, bunks, door and window frames, and structural walls and beams – which, when exposed to variable weather conditions, may undergo biodegradation. The aim of the present study was to determine the infestation of wooden surfaces infestation by various organisms and to identify the dominant species. The total bacteria counts on the wooden surfaces ranged 8–3.5 × 103 cfu 100 cm−2, with Bacillus sp. being the dominant one, while the counts for fungi were in the range of 8–1.7 × 103 cfu 100 cm-2, the main representatives being Cladosporium sp., Alternaria sp. and Penicillium sp. On the wooden parts of bunks and floorboards there were identified decay fungi such as Poria vaporaria and Serpula lacrymans. Cyanobacteria and algae of the Bacillariophyta and Chlorophyta groups, bryophytes Ceratodon sp. and Bryum sp., and lichens Lecanora sp., Lepraria sp. and Protoparmeliopsis sp. occurred mainly on the exterior of the doors of wooden barracks. Identification of the organisms will make it possible to select appropriate biocides and to protect the historical objects against the natural process of gradual biodegradation. •The biodeterioration of barracks at former camp Auschwitz II – Birkenau was studied.•Small degree of biological degradation of the wooden surfaces was found.•Local infestations were mainly caused by decay fungi, moulds and algae.•Bryophytes and lichens occurred mainly on exterior elements.•High humidity of the area influenced on the barracks gradual degradation.