Biological diversity on an industrial heritage structure : the case study of a 20th century water tower

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the biological colonization on the historic reinforced concrete water tower at the Civil Abattoir, Marsa, Malta as part of a restoration project. Given that restoration works were going to be carried out on this 20th century Industrial Heritage structure it was important to characterize the biological patina present prior restoration works for documentation and conservation purposes. In an effort to identify and document the organisms present the outer surfaces of the structrue was surveyed and samples were systematically collected and identified utilising morphological and chemical studies.