Non-invasive study of ancient paper musical manuscripts polluted by sea salts and their possible interactions

Abstract

The starting point of this research starts from a selection of ancient paper manuscripts subjected to salt polluting caused by the exceptional high tide occurred in Venice, in 2019. These manuscripts were under restoration into the Restoration Laboratory of the Book, at Praglia Abbey. The work was conducted in collaboration with the restorer, who has been involved in the restoration treatments of the ancient manuscripts. This thesis work focuses on the identification of mainly chloride salts and their possible interaction with cellulose based materials such as paper. New procedures to determine the salts presence and evaluate the best treatment methodologies for salts’ remotion were develop, considering the compatibility, affordability and efficacy. The salts detection resulted very difficult and complex with traditional spectroscopic techniques (such as Infrared, Raman and FORS spectroscopy) so an economic and easy-to-use methodology for the salts detection was tested and evaluated also considering the possibility to help restorer in monitoring the cleaning process. The proposed methodology involved the use of traditional spot test for chlorine ions but was improved by Gellano medium giving the possibility to use it directly on paper with minimum damage. The proposed methodologies for salts remotion and detection on paper materials, resulted effective. During the experimental research was found that a low salts concentration remains internally on the paper despite the paper materials washing. For this reason, the research was extended to outline the deterioration process that can occur between the cellulosic chain and the salt crystals during the time for both washed paper materials and for materials that cannot undergo salt removal treatments. In this last step of the work, the application of the artificial aging has been implemented, to better understand what damage can provide the salts crystallisation inside the cellulose chain.