The Bioerosion of Submerged Archeological Artifacts in the Mediterranean Sea: An Overview

Bioerosion is the destruction of hard substrates resulting from biological activity, and plays a relevant role in ecological interactions coastal dynamics processes. Several organisms have evolved structures behaviors allowing them to perforate biotic abiotic surfaces, transforming surfaces into particles, contributing significantly sediment production marine environment. Due large geographical diffusion borers, bioerosion many scientific applied fields interest. Most studies hitherto been conducted tropical areas, where borers are critical component coral reef destruction. Comparatively, little information available for submerged archeological heritage. This review focuses on calcareous artifacts Mediterranean Sea, summarizing concerning colonization statues, shipwrecks, cargo, remains cities. The paper includes first comprehensive listing sites Sea has assessed. diversity boring affecting their patterns, various types bored materials, severity damage caused heritage also included. Both microborers (algae, fungi, cyanobacteria) macroborers (sponges, bivalves, polychaetes, sipunculids, echinoids) considered, roles structuring endolithic assemblages covered. experimental techniques currently employed analyze traces, helping identify particular species ichnospecies dynamics, considered. Finally, discussion current strategies proposed situ protection conservation Underwater Cultural Heritage provided.