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In recent years, the use of wood has gained social interest, leading to a global increase in its demand. Yet, this demand is often covered by the production of woods of low natural durability against biological deterioration. The main biological agents with the potential to attack the structural integrity of wood are wood-decay fungi, saproxylic beetles, termites, and marine molluscs and crustaceans. In most circumstances, fungi are the main wood-deteriorating agents. To attack the cell wall, wood-decay fungi combine a complex enzymatic mechanism with non-enzymatic mechanisms based on low-molecular-weight compounds. In some cases, the larvae of saproxylic beetles can also digest cell wood components, causing serious deterioration to wooden structures. The impact of subterranean termites in Europe is concentrated in the Southern countries, causing important economic losses. However, alien invasive species of voracious subterranean termites are expanding their presence in Europe. Wooden elements in permanent contact with marine water can be readily deteriorated by mollusc and crustacean borers, for which current preservatives lack efficacy. The natural durability of wood is defined as the inherent resistance of wood to catastrophic action by wood-destroying organisms. Besides exposure to the climate, product design and use conditions, the natural durability of wood is key to the prediction of the service life of wooden products, which can be shortened due to the impact of global change. The major wood properties involved in natural durability are related to the composition of lignin in the cell wall, the anatomy of the xylem, nutrient availability, the amount and composition of heartwood extractives, and the presence of moisture-regulating components since wood moisture content influences the establishment of wood-degrading organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of wood in seawater is one of the most challenging. Impregnated wood is exposed to leaching and to various marine borers, Limnoria sp. and Teredo sp. being the most important ones. The present research investigated the durability of pine wood impregnated with copper-amine based preservative solution (Silvanolin) of different concentrations exposed to the seawater according to EN 275 standard. Performance of Silvanolin treated wood was compared to the performance of reference wood (Quercus sp., Castanea sativa, Larix decidua). After 10, 18 and 32 months of exposure, specimens were removed and assessed. The results show clearly that the reference wood species were completely degraded after 10 months of exposure. On the other hand, it became evident that Silvanolin prolonged the service life of wood exposed to the sea. The specimens impregnated with the lowest concentration of preservative solution (cCu = 0.31 %) were slightly decayed. The specimens, impregnated with higher concentrations of copper (cCu > 0.31 %), showed almost no defects after expsore to marine borers.

Marine borers can destroy wooden structures exposed to the marine environment and cause great monetary loss. In the region of Amasra of the Black Sea in Turkey, ships continue to be built from wood, mainly Castanea sativa (sweet chestnut) and Quercus petraea (sessile oak) and therefore are subject to destruction by marine borers. Copper-chromium-arsenic (CCA), used to be one of the most common wood preservatives used in Turkey. However, in this area its efficacy against marine borers is unknown. The resistance of untreated and CCA-treated samples of chestnut, oak and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) was examined and after twelve months evaluated in two ways, EN 275, and a non-destructive measurement for dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOE). Untreated samples, particularly Scots pine were severely attacked by Teredo navalis. Treated samples of oak and chestnut were moderately attacked while treated samples of Scots pine sapwood and heartwood were sound. Severity of wood boring attack determined using MOE showed a very good correlation with that determined by visual assessment in untreated wood, and a good correlation for treated wood. Dynamic MOE allows rapid on-site evaluation rather than measurements within a laboratory and also without causing damage to the structures being evaluated.

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Oceanography is the property of Instituto Oceanografico da Universidade de Sao Paulo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

For some time now, timber has been relegated to the back stage due to competition from modern alternatives. Yet, this lone renewable structural material is all set to stage a comeback soon because of the carbon benefits accruing from its use. Although India is blessed with over 4000 woody plant species, the country is timber deficient. In order to bridge the gap between supplies and demand, timber from different countries is being imported. But the performance of such timbers under various service conditions in different Indian environments is not known. Since information on these lines is desirable to put any timber to its best end-use, evaluation of the bioresistance of some of the imported timbers in marine regime was included in a larger programme and the results of this marine component are presented in this paper. A total of twenty timbers that originated from eleven countries together with two Indian timbers were subjected to marine exposure trial in Visakhapatnam tropical waters. The trial followed by data analysis distinguished the twenty imported timbers into five groups, viz ., A. pseudoplatanus and Fagus sylvatica from Belgium with 8 months durability; A . pseudoplatanus , Fagus grandifolia , F . sylvatica and Fraxinus angustifolia from France and Havea brasiliensis from India with 9 months longevity; Fraxinus excelsior (Belgium) and Quercus robur (France) with 10 months life; Michelia champaka (India) and Shorea macroptera (Malaysia) with 14 months longevity and Dryobalanops aromatica (Malaysia), Pteocarpus soyauxii (Africa and Cameroon), Shorea s (Indonesia), Shorea robusta (Malaysia), Tectona grandis (Australia, Burma, Ghana, Ivory coast and Tanzania) and Xylia dolabriformis (Burma) with 18 months durability. Compared to the natural resistance of fifty-eight Indian timbers assessed earlier by various workers in the same harbour, performance of the twenty imported timbers tested now is considered as only moderate. While European timbers are advised to be used as marine structural components not in contact with sea water, others may be used universally in all marine applications. However, all the twenty imported timbers had exhibited inferior durability than Dalbergia sisoo , Diospyros melanoxylon , Kingiodendron pinnatum , Lagerstroemia hypoleuca , Lagerstroemia parviflora , Mimusops littoralis , Pterocarpus dalbergioides , Pterocarpus marsupium , Schleichera oleosa , S . robusta , Terminalia arjuna and Terminalia paniculata . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wooden material has been used for shipbuilding and structural purposes in the marine environment since ancient times. Wood being used in the sea water can be damaged by marine wood boring organisms, which can turn marine wooden structures unserviceable with great economic cost. Using naturally durable species and preservative treated wood can increase the service life of wooden maritime structures and avoid or minimise the damages caused by marine borers. In this study, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Black pine (Pinus nigra) and Turkish fir (Abies bornmülleriana) naturally grown and economically important wood species in Turkey were treated with copper-azole and evaluated in marine trials for 7 and 14 months in the Western Black Sea region. In this experiment, Teredo navalis was the only teredinid species identified. Copper-azole treated fir and Scots pine specimens suffered no attack, after 7 and 14 months exposure, except four panels which suffered minor damage. However, copper-azole treated Black pine panels were moderately damaged, and all of the control panels of the softwoods were strongly attacked. The average largest shell diameter was found to be 4,79 mm in Scots pine, while the longest pallets (4,71 mm) was found in Black pine. All untreated test panels scored an average of 4 (heavily attacked) after a 14 month period. The cellulose ratio of Black pine decreased from 56 % to 50 %, and the holo-cellulose ratio from 76 % to 71 %. The treated samples showed resistance against marine borers although the copper (cu) leaching was high during the 14 months exposure underwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine borers such as the shipworm, Teredo navalis , can cause great destruction to wooden archaeological remains in the marine environment. The focus of this study was to investigate whether shipworm preferentially settle on one orientation of the wood over another, i.e. radial, tangential or transversal and if the resulting tunnels are oriented in a specific direction according to the fibres within the wood. This was investigated using Computed Tomography (CT) scanning and subsequent 3D modelling as a method of both quantifying the severity of attack by shipworm and examining the orientation of the tunnels. Panels of pine, cut in tangential, radial and transversal planes, were placed in the sea at a location where shipworm was known to be abundant. After attack, the panels were weighed, X-rayed, entrance holes counted and 3D CT models created. All results show a difference between the three planes. The specific direction of the single tunnels could be evaluated using the CT models, since the individual tunnels could be isolated, and followed throughout the panel. The results show that the radial plane suffered a more severe attack than either of the two other planes. These results have implications for archaeological interpretation and conservation. For example, the results show that ancient ships built with timbers cut in a radial plane (e.g. Viking Ships or other structural elements cut in radial plane) may be more prone to attack and thus require more protection than those built in tangential or transversal plane should they be raised (difficulties lifting due to fragility) or preserved in situ . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine borers can destroy wooden structures exposed to the marine environment and cause great monetary loss. In the region of Amasra of the Black Sea in Turkey, ships continue to be built from wood, mainly Castanea sativa (sweet chestnut) and Quercus petraea (sessile oak) and therefore are subject to destruction by marine borers. Copper-chromium-arsenic (CCA), used to be one of the most common wood preservatives used in Turkey. However, in this area its efficacy against mari-ne borers is unknown. The resistance of untreated and CCA-treated samples of chestnut, oak and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) was examined and aft er twelve months evaluated in two ways, EN 275, and a non-destructive measurement for dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOE). Untreated samples, particularly Scots pine were severely attacked by Teredo navalis. Treated samples of oak and chestnut were moderately attacked while treated samples of Scots pine sapwood and heartwood were sound. Severity of wood boring attack determined using MOE showed a very good correlation with that de-termined by visual assessment in untreated wood, and a good correlation for treated wood. Dynamic MOE allows rapid on-site evaluation rather than measurements within a laboratory and also without causing damage to the structures being evaluated.

This study deals with the role of hardness and chemical toxicity in the resistance of pinewood to marine borers. Portuguese wood Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) was modified with 1,3-dimethylol 4,5-dihydroxy ethylene urea (DMDHEU), methylated methylol melamine (MMF), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and two types of wax. In addition, for comparative purposes, different control species, Ipê, Beech and Blue Gum and CCA treated pine were included. All specimens were exposed over 2 years in sea (Porto, north of Portugal). Three inspections were performed after exposure (6, 12 and 24 months). The influence of type and level of modification as well as hardness was evaluated. As results: Specimens modified with resin have shown slight or trace attack by Teredinids in DMDHEU with low level of modification (10% of weight percent gain, WPG); MMF resin with high and low level of modification (25% and 10% of WPG) have shown trace to moderate attack, respectively. With the TEOS and wax impregnated wood which fill the cell lumens no significant difference in marine borers attack was found as compared to unmodified control specimens, despite the increased hardness.

Wood products are commonly degraded by decay fungi, insects (including termites), or other organisms (marine borers). Chemical treatments with biocides are the most effective way to protect wood from these organisms. Surface treatments by immersion, aspersion, spraying, brushing, dipping and injection are extensively used to apply the biocidal products to the wood. The performance of preservative treatments is often evaluated according to their retention and penetration. It is therefore important, for either quality control or research and development purposes, to study the penetration capacity of a biocidal product. The methods commonly used for determining penetration of wood preservatives include observing their migration through their own color, or through color indicators, or extracting samples followed by chemical detection by chromatography analysis. However, these multistep methods are time consuming and do not allow the detection and precise location of active substances within the wood structure. Here, we present the general principle of a novel specific approach for detection, visualization and ultrastructural localization of biocidal active substances in treated wood using immunological techniques together with electron microscopy. In the present work, we raised a polyclonal antibody against cypermethrin and applied it for the detection of the pyrethroid insecticide in Pinus sylvestris samples and its localization within the wood cell walls by transmission electron microscopy. Thus, the distance of penetration of cypermethrin from the sample surface could be evaluated and the results were correlated with chemical analysis. The interest of the immunological detection method is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

7 hard wood species including: Beech (Fagus orientalis), Oak (Quercus castaneafolia), Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), Alder (Alnus subcordata), Oriental plane (Platanus orientalis), Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Babul (Acacia arabica) were treated with Creosote and Celcure. The dimensions of samples were 20 x 7.5 x 2 cm. Both preservative treated and untreated samples were placed in seawater in Mahshahr (Persian Gulf), Bandar Torkman and Noshahr (Caspian Sea) coasts according to IRGIWP-4432 (1985). In Mahshahr after 8, 17, 23, 28, 35 and 49 months, in Bandar Torkman after 8, 14, 22, 29, and 39 months and in Noshahr after 8, 18, 25, 31 and 40 months, the samples were inspected according with recommendation of IRG/WP-4432 (1985) and ASTM D-2481. All the control samples (untreated wood) of Beech, Oak, Hornbeam and Alder over 22 months, Oriental plane over 25 months and Babul over 20 months, were seriously attacked. Untreated Eucalyptus and all the treated samples with celcure and creosote were sound. All the treated and untreated samples in Caspian Sea were sound. It is concluded that there is no marine borers in south coasts of Caspian Sea.

Four hardwood species including: Alder (Alnus subcordata), Oriental plane (Platanus orientalis), Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Babul (Acacia arabica) were treated with Creosote and Celcure. The dimension of samples was 20 x 7.5 x 2 cm. Both preservative treated and untreated samples were placed in seawater (Boshehr in Persian Gulf) according to IRG/WP-4432 (1985). After 9, 15, 24, 29, 38, 47, 53, 58 and 64 months, the samples were inspected according with recommendation of IRG/WP-4432(1985) and ASTM D- 240. All the control samples (untreated wood) of Alder and Oriental plane over 9 months, Eucalyptus and Babul over 20 months, were seriously attacked. Treated samples with Celcure of Alder and Oriental plane after 38 months were completely damaged and Eucalyptus over 38 months were severely degraded. Creosote treated samples of Eucalyptus over 58 months and Babul over 38 months were seriously attacked. Creosote treated of Alder and Oriental plane samples after 64 months installation were sound. It can be concluded that treatment with Creosote using full cell process (Bethel) increased resistance of investigated wood species against marine borers.

Samples of 6 wood species including: Oak (Quercus castaneafolia) Horn beam (Carpinus betulus), Beech (Fagus orientalis), Alder (alnus subcordata), Oriental plane (platanus orientalis) and Babul (Acasia arabica) were treated with Creosote. The dimension of samples was 200 x 75 x 20 mm. Both treated and untreated samples were installed in sea water (Chabahar port coasts) according to IRG/WP-4432 (1985). After 8, 12, 24, 33 months, the samples were inspected according to recommendation of ASTM D 2481. During this installation period, the control samples of Alder after 8 months, the samples of Oak and Hornbeam, Beech and Oriental plane after 12 months, seriously attacked. The grade of samples Babul after 12 months installation in sea water was 3.8. Treated samples with Creosote, samples of Oak 24 months and Hornbeam, after 33 months, were seriously attacked.So, treating with creosote using full cell process causes an increase in wood, durability against marine boreres approximately more than two times of untreated samples.

Samples of 3 wood species including: Beech (Fagus orientalis), Oak (Quercus castaneafolia) and Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) were treated with creosote and celcure. The dimension of samples were 200 x 7 x 20 mm. Both treated and untreated samples were placed in sea water (Boshehr in Persian Gulf) according to IRG/WP-4432(l985). After 5, 9, 15, 24, 29 and 38 months, the samples were inspected according to recommendation of ASTM D 248. The control samples (untreated wood) of Beech, Hornbeam after 9 months, the samples of Oak after 14 months, seriously attacked. Treated samples of Beech, Oak and Hornbeam with celcure, after 14 months, were seriously attacked. Creosote, treated samples of Beech, after 29 months, Oak and Hornbeam after 38 months were seriously attacked. It can be concluded that treatment with creosote using full cell process (Bethell) increased resistance of investigated wood species against marine borers.

Wood samples of seven Iranian hardwood species including: Beech (Fagus orientalis), Oak (Quercus castaneaefolia), Hombeam (Carpinus betulus), Alder (Alnus subcordata), Oriental plane (Platanus orientalis), Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Babul (Acacia arabica) were treated with Creosote and Celcure. Then the samples were installed in the sea water of Bandar Abbas coast (Persian Gulf) for a period of 36 months. During 9, 12, 18 and 36 months, the samples were inspected according with recommendation of IRG/WP/4432(l985).The results showed that, untreated samples of all species were not resisted to the marine borers. The samples treated with creosote using full cell process increased durability of all species expect Hombeam and Babul. Treated samples with celcure were not resisted very well and after 15 months were destroyed.

Wooden structure, specially vessels and launch boats were studied along all shores and ports of Persian Gulf, Oman Sea and Caspian Sea during two years in different seasons .Factors causing damage in the vessels and coastal wooden constructions were evaluated. Based on the results, north coasts, as compared to south cost of the country, were affected more intensively by fungi damages were lower at Caspian sea shores than those at shores of Persian Gulf and Oman sea. A major reason of this is lower level of salt in Caspian sea than in Persian Gulf. At the south coast, in addition to wood decay, marine borers are the main cause of damages. At coastal zones of Khozestan province, fewer damages were found, as compared to other points of several rivers flowing to the sea at these shores and sailing of vessels through low salt waters.

The resistance of differently modified wood to the common shipworm, Teredo navalis , and the wood boring crustacean, Limnoria quadripunctata , was assessed in a field trial and by means of a short term laboratory assay, respectively. Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris ) sapwood was treated with TEOS (tetra-ethoxy-ortho-silane) and different thermosetting resins, namely phenol formaldehyde (PF) and methylated melamine formaldehyde (MMF). Additionally, acetylated and untreated Radiata pine ( Pinus radiata ) was included. In the field trial according to EN 275 in the Baltic Sea over a period of six years the specimens were exclusively attacked by T . navalis . For the laboratory assay, matchstick-sized samples cut from spare panels prepared for the field trial were subjected to individuals of L . quadripunctata ; faecal pellet production served as a measure of feeding rate. Treatments that prevented shipworm attack in the field also reduced feeding of L . quadripunctata in the laboratory assay: efficacy of resin treatments was enhanced by parameters that increase the amount of resin in the cell wall (i.e. high WPG and dry curing conditions); acetylation resulted in high resistance; and TEOS treatment was not effective. The results suggest that modification on cell wall level is required to impart marine borer resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to evaluate the natural durability of different wood species against marine organisms in the Messina strait to determine the most durable wood species for the replacement of wooden docks. The wood species tested were Bilinga/Opepe ( Nauclea diderrichii Merril), Okan ( Cylicodiscus gabunensis Taub (Harms), Demerara Greenheart ( Ocota rodiaei Mez) and Azobé ( Lophira alata Banks ex Gaertn), the current wood species used for docks. Scots Pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) was used for reference controls. The assessment was performed in accordance with EN 275 combined with a software for image acquisition called Nis D3.22. From the results of this experiment, it can be seen that Bilinga and Okan can well replace the current utilization of Azobè for wooden banking in the Sicilian strait. The Nis D3.22 software distinguished slight differences not perceived by the human eye in the assessment described in EN 275. These differences, which were lost in visual assessment associated with the wide nominal durability classes of EN 275, can contribute to the choice of wood species that are not suitable for their purpose, so the improvement of the assessment due to image analysis might be important even from an economic point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the millennia, mankind has recognized the inherent resistance of certain wood species against attack by fungi, insects and marine borers. Despite our advances in wood protection technology, people still rely on naturally durable timbers for construction of various structures. Of late, this property of several wood species, known for their high durability, has become unreliable due to changes in silvicultural and pre-harvesting practices, which reportedly interfere with their durability performance. This warrants a periodic assessment and rating of natural durability properties to select the right species for various end uses. Moreover, the drastic decline in the availability of naturally durable timber species towards the end of 20th century has resulted in the import/export of timber world-wide. The inherent durability of these species under different climatic conditions is unknown but must be determined to utilize them effectively. Studies on natural resistance of wood to biological damage are therefore of prime importance. Before initiating durability studies, background information on different factors that impart durability to a timber is vital. This paper aims to compile secondary data on such aspects and to provide a necessary check-list of durability ratings of Indian and exotic timbers that have been tested under Indian environmental conditions. Probable factors responsible for imparting a built-in resistance to wood against bio-deterioration have also been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study deals with the role of hardness and chemical toxicity in the resistance of pinewood to marine borers. Portuguese wood Maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) was modified with 1,3-dimethylol 4,5-dihydrox ethylene urea (DMDHEU), methylated methylol melamine (MMF), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and two types of wax. In addition, for comparative purposes, different control species, Ipê, Beech and Blue Gum and CCA treated pine were included. All specimens were exposed over 2 years in sea (Porto, north of Portugal). Three inspections were performed after exposure (6, 12 and 24 months). The influence of type and level of modification as well as hardness was evaluated. As results: Specimens modified with resin have shown slight or trace attack by Teredinids in DMDHEU with low level of modification (10% of weight percent gain, WPG); MMF resin with hig and low level of modification (25% and 10% of WPG) have shown trace to moderate attack, respectively. With the TEOS and wax impregnated wood which fill the cell lumens no significant difference in marine borers attack was found as compared to unmodified control specimens, despite the increased hardness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Wood Industry / Drvna Industrija is the property of Drvna Industrija and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

New data about the highly variable test morphology of the benthic foraminifer Troglotella incrustans WERNLI & FOOKES (Oxfordian-Lower Cenomanian) are presented, permitting an emended species/genus diagnosis. This concerns mainly the existence of a large final chamber with fistulose extensions that may follow the uniserial or the irregular-branching test part. The way of life of T. incrustans (cryptoendolithic vs. euendolithic) is discussed against the background of different existing models in the literature. The study is based on material (thin-sections and provided photographs) mainly from the Upper Jurassic of Austria, Italy, Romania, Ukraine, and also the type-locality of France. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine borers can destroy wooden structures exposed to the marine environment and cause great monetary loss. In the region of Amasra of the Black Sea in Turkey, ships continue to be built from wood, mainly Castanea sativa (sweet chestnut) and Quercus petraea (sessile oak) and therefore are subject to destruction by marine borers. Copper-chromium-arsenic (CCA), used to be one of the most common wood preservatives used in Turkey. However, in this area its efficacy against marine borers is unknown. The resistance of untreated and CCA-treated samples of chestnut, oak and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) was examined and after twelve months evaluated in two ways, EN 275, and a non-destructive measurement for dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOE). Untreated samples, particularly Scots pine were severely attacked by Teredo navalis. Treated samples of oak and chestnut were moderately attacked while treated samples of Scots pine sapwood and heartwood were sound. Severity of wood boring attack determined using MOE showed a very good correlation with that determined by visual assessment in untreated wood, and a good correlation for treated wood. Dynamic MOE allows rapid on-site evaluation rather than measurements within a laboratory and also without causing damage to the structures being evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article critically examines the United Nation's (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea as it has been sought flaws on the protection of the lives of migrants at sea, It emphasizes the international refugee law that has a great responsibility of assuring the protection of those involved though the concept of non-refoulement. Moreover, a system of burden-sharing and permanent yet flexible reception agreements is seen as the only sustainable solution involving refugee-related issues.

Commercial timbers from Turkey used in coastal construction and boat building were tested for their resistance to marine wood-boring invertebrates in a marine trial and in a laboratory screening test. The timbers tested were beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky), oak (Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Liebl.), chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). The marine trial was conducted over a period of 5 months at Mersin on the southern Mediterranean coast of Turkey. Activity by teredinid (Mollusca, Bivalvia) borers during this period was very high, resulting in the maximum rating of 4 on the EN 275 scale for P. sylvestris sapwood and heartwood panels. Q. petraea panels averaged 2.8 and C. sativa panels were attacked the least with a mean rating of 2.3. There was little variation between the timbers tested in the size of the shells of the teredinids found, and so variation in the level of attack can be ascribed to fewer animals colonising C. sativa and Q. petraea than P. sylvestris. About one half of the teredinids identified were Teredo navalis (Linnaeus 1758), one quarter Bankia carinata (JE Gray 1827), and one quarter Nototeredo norvagica (Spengler 1792). No evidence of preference for a particular timber by any of these species was observed. Teeth on the ridges of the shells of teredinids from C. sativa were partially or wholly immersed in a dark brown substance that might reduce the boring efficiency of the shell. Some attacking by limnoriids (Isopoda, Crustacea) was also detected. Specimens of the amphipod crustacean Chelura sp. were observed on panels of C. sativa. In a laboratory screening trial in which the feeding rate of individual Limnoria quadripunctata (Holthuis 1949) was assessed by measuring faecal pellet production, feeding on heartwood of C. sativa, F. orientalis, and Q. petraea averaged less than half of that on the non-durable sapwood and heartwood of P. sylvestris. The correlation between wood density and feeding rate was weak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of Bombax ceiba treated with selected inorganic preservatives was assessed in marine exposures over a 44-month period in southern India. Panels treated to high retentions with ammoniacal copper zinc arsenate (ACZA) provided the best protection, followed by the higher chromated copper arsenate (CCA) retention. Pholads tended to be the dominant organisms on ACZA- and CCA-treated wood. Teredinids were more prevalent on ammoniacal copper citrate (CC) or ammoniacal copper quaternary (ACQ) treatments. The potential for using these preservatives to extend service life of this species in tropical waters was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a report in a 2010 issue of the "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America" showing how a type of cyanobacteria was able to bore into pieces of calcite (CaCO3).

The article provides information on the microbial degradation of waterlogged archaeological wood found in Sweden. The authors discuss the use of light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to investigate wood-decaying organisms, explore the impact of tunnelling bacteria and soft rot fungi, and explain that the type of decay will influence conservation methods.