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   Sector for Biological Control Sector leader Liudmila V. Slavoshevskaya Biological control is performed by seven research workers (mycologists, entomologists and a chemist) together with a laboratory assistant. Their operational and investigative work is devoted to the protection of exhibits from damage caused by insects and fungi. Special attention is given to development and implementation of methods of defence which are highly effective against pests yet safe for both exhibits and people. Preventive inspections are made of collections and storage facilities. Repellants are used against insects. Window traps are used to monitor contamination of collections in storage facilities. Biocide processing is carried out depending on the results of mycological and entomological analyses. Insects are destroyed by application of pyretroid preparations and also by a low-temperature method - freezing in a special freezer chamber. The latter works mainly on carpets and textiles. Every effort is made to deploy ecologically safe methods of disinfection which are not harmful to the exhibits - fumigation in a special chamber with an inert gas. Mycologists inspect exhibits which come to the museum from archeological expeditions or have been damaged by water due to fires and other mishaps as well as leaks and other breakdowns in water seals of pipes within buildings. A mycological analysis of the atmosphere on the museum premises is performed with the help of an MD-8 air sampling device supplied by Sartorius (Germany), which determines with high accuracy the number and composition of micro-mycetes in the air of the museum rooms and storage facilities. Biologists carry out scientific and research work on the subject of Ecological Questions Surrounding Bio-Damage of Cultural Treasures within the framework of a programme from the Scientific Council on Bio-Damage attached to the Russian Academy of Sciences. Insects and microscopic fungi are identified. A collection of insects has been created; this is mainly museum pests from the North Western Region. Research is carried on with respect to the make-up of micro-mycetes on the surface of exhibits, in the air within museum rooms and on the facades of the Hermitage buildings. An original method has been developed for protecting exhibits against fungi by using an ultrasound inhaler. This makes it possible to minimize the action of fungicides on the exhibits, including paintings. Our biologists collaborate with their colleagues from both domestic and foreign institutions. At the end of the 1990s, they completed an investigation within the international project of INTAS on the subject of Mycological Analysis of Art Works Made of Stone and Wood and Research into Polymer Defence Combinations with Prolonged Action. |
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