Deposition of anthropogenic compounds on monuments and their effect on airborne microorganisms

Monuments and buildings act as repositories of airborne organic and inorganic pollutants, which accumulate at the surfaces in zones protected from direct rainwater. This enriches the substratum and anthropogenic compounds may influence to a great extent the colonization and growth pattern of microorganisms in polluted urban environments. This paper reviews recent and ongoing research on the deposition of pollutants on building stones and their possible utilization by microorganisms.