Lichen Taxonomy
L-Code
Categorization of complex symbiotic crusts, particularly calcicole (lime-loving) species that chemically etch into heritage stone and limestone.
Lichen Taxonomy
Symbiotic Biology
Categorization of complex symbiotic crusts, particularly calcicole (lime-loving) species that chemically etch into heritage stone and limestone.
Isolation of symbiotic acid-secreting colonizers.
Crucial for Grade-I heritage asset preservation.
Symbiotic Architecture
The L-Code investigates one of nature's most resilient colonizers: Lichen. These are not single organisms, but highly complex symbiotic relationships between a fungal host (mycobiont) and an algal or cyanobacterial partner (photobiont), creating a biological entity capable of surviving extreme anthropogenic environments.
Oxalic Acid Secretion
To anchor themselves, lichens do not merely sit on a surface. Species such as the calcicole (lime-loving) varieties actively excrete oxalic acids. These highly corrosive organic acids chemically dissolve the calcium carbonate in heritage limestone, mortar, and concrete, physically etching the organism into the bedrock.
The Risk of Substrate Spalling
Attempting to remove entrenched lichen with kinetic scraping or high-pressure washing is structurally catastrophic. Because the fungal hyphae are chemically fused with the stone, physical removal forcefully tears away the top layer of the masonry, causing immediate and permanent micro-spalling.
Sub-Critical Thermolysis
For high-value or heritage substrates, our protocol dictates Sub-Critical Thermolysis. Utilizing Doff or Therma-Tech systems, we deliver superheated vapor (up to 150 degrees Celsius) at exceptionally low pressure. This thermal shock instantly denatures the proteins within the lichen thallus, allowing safe, effortless removal.
Grade-I & Grade-II Preservation
The application of L-Code protocols is mandatory for the stewardship of listed and heritage buildings. By utilizing non-abrasive thermal science, we satisfy the strictest conservation requirements, restoring historical aesthetics without compromising the delicate geological integrity of the asset.
Conservation Documentation
Every L-Code intervention generates comprehensive digital documentation. This forensic trail provides estate directors and heritage architects with undeniable proof of compliant stewardship, satisfying both insurance underwriters and historical preservation trusts.