Impacts of climate change on biodeterioration of graphic documents

Abstract

The preservation of graphic documentary heritage faces a new paradigm due to the global climate crisis. This study investigates the dynamics of biodeterioration in organic materials, such as cellulose, collagen, and binders, analyzing how extreme microclimatic fluctuations accelerate the activity of macro and microorganisms. Based on a comprehensive literature review that integrates foundational conservation authors with contemporary research, the paper examines enzymatic degradation mechanisms driven by fungi and insects under shifting thermodynamic conditions. The research details the metabolic behavior of these agents, correlating their action with extrinsic factors intensified by climate change, specifically temperature and relative humidity. The synthesis of evidence demonstrates that microclimatic fluctuations exacerbate biodeterioration through a synergy between environmental factors and the nutritional properties of the supports. Furthermore, the study discusses the evolution of treatment approaches, highlighting the transition from toxic chemical methods toward "green conservation" strategies, such as data-driven preventive monitoring and anoxia. It concludes that effective heritage management in the era of climate change requires a proactive stance, where preventive environmental control takes precedence over direct intervention on the object.