# Carbonatogenic Bacteria in the Maros-Pangkep Karst: Protectors or Threat to Prehistoric Paintings?
> Haedar N.

URL kanonis: https://discover.unhas.ac.id/publications/carbonatogenic-bacteria-in-the-maros-pangkep-karst-protectors-or-threat-to-prehi
Jurnal / Konferensi: Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
Tahun terbit: 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4014/jmb.2410.10019
ISSN: 10177825
Kuartil SJR: Q2
Citations: 0

## Authors
- Haedar N.

## Abstract
The Maros-Pangkep karst region hosts prehistoric cave paintings recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site. The presence of calcium carbonate (CaCO<sub>3</sub>) on the surface of these artworks suggests the involvement of carbonatogenic bacteria, which facilitate CaCO<sub>3</sub> production or deposition. While these bacteria have been explored for their potential in stone artwork conservation, their role in either preserving or obscuring prehistoric paintings remains unclear. This study aims to identify carbonatogenic bacteria associated with the Maros-Pangkep cave paintings and evaluate their CaCO<sub>3</sub> precipitation potential. Bacteria were isolated using Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (CCP) medium, and their CaCO<sub>3</sub> precipitation capacity was assessed by measuring precipitate mass and ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) levels. Molecular identification was conducted using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Eighteen bacterial isolates were obtained from swab samples collected in Parewe and Bulu Sipong caves, ten of which were identified as carbonatogenic. Among these, two isolates exhibited the highest CaCO<sub>3</sub> precipitation: Ps1-d produced 2.45 ± 0.07 mg/ml CaCO<sub>3</sub> with 946.3 ± 26.3 mg/l NH<sub>3</sub>, while Ps8-b produced 1.80 ± 0.05 mg/ml CaCO<sub>3</sub> with 763.4 ± 21.2 mg/l NH<sub>3</sub>. Molecular analysis identified Ps1-d as <i>Bacillus</i> cereus strain bk and Ps8-b as <i>Bacillus</i> sp. NCCP-428. These findings have significant implications for both (1) the potential application of carbonatogenic bacteria in the conservation and restoration of stone artworks and (2) the development of strategies to inhibit excessive CaCO<sub>3</sub> deposition to prevent the obscuration of cultural heritage paintings.

## Keywords
- Karst
- Prehistory
- Archaeology
- Painting
- Geography
- Ecology
- Biology
- Art
- Visual arts

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Sumber: Discover Unhas — RIMS Universitas Hasanuddin.
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