Distribution of Acidity and Alkalinity on Degraded Manuscripts Containing Iron Gall Ink
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Eva Marín
Eva Marín , born in 1980. She received her degree in Fine Arts at the University of Barcelona in 2004 in the specialization of Conservation of Cultural Heritage. Nowadays she is a PhD student at the Analytical Chemistry Department involved in analytical chemistry applied to cultural heritage. Her PhD is focused on the development and application of specific analytical techniques to the study of different artworks. Departament de Química Analítica, Facultat de Químiques, Universitat de Barcelona, Diagonal Ave. 645 (08028) Barcelona Spain.M. Carme Sistach , born in 1953, graduated in biochemistry and organic chemistry at the University of Barcelona in 1979. She also graduated in Graphic Documents at the High School of Conservation and Restoration in Barcelona in 1990. She gained the degree in paper and cellulose chemistry at the Polytechnic University of Terrassa in Barcelona in 2002. Since 1986, she is the chemist of the Laboratory of Restoration at the Archive of the Crown of Aragon in Barcelona. She participates in two EU projects: “Transition Metals in Paper – MIP” and “EnviArt -COST D42”.Jessica Jiménez , Chemistry degree student at the University of Barcelona.Miguel Clemente , Chemistry degree student at the University of Barcelona.Guillem Garcia , Chemistry degree student at the University of Barcelona.Dr. José F. García , born in 1959. He obtained his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry in 1989 at the University of Barcelona. At present, he is a full professor at the Analytical Chemistry Department from the University of Barcelona. Since 1982, he has been working in radioanalytical chemistry; since 1997, he is involved in analytical chemistry applied to cultural heritage. His main interest is focused on the development and application of specific analytical techniques to the study of different sets of artworks. Departament de Química Analítica, Facultat de Químiques, Universitat de Barcelona, Diagonal Ave 645 (08028) Barcelona Spain.
Abstract
Long-time preservation of manuscripts depends on the stability of their support. One of the most important degradation processes of paper manuscripts containing iron gall ink is the acid hydrolysis of cellulose. The heterogeneity of the distribution of their constituent materials, together with the defined position of ink as a source of degradation agents, makes it difficult to obtain reliable and detailed information about degradation processes. The aim of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of the acid degradation process by looking at the distribution of relevant variables (pH, acidity and alkaline reserve) on real untreated iron gall ink containing manuscripts at different degradation stages. The study discusses the well-known differences between surface and cold extraction pH determination. It corroborates the relationship between pH, acidity and alkalinity and degradation stages, pointing out that acidity values for some manuscripts in apparent good condition are not far from those obtained for degraded manuscripts. The results indicate that in some partially degraded manuscripts, the coexistence of acid areas and areas with an alkaline reserve which do not participate in the neutralization process is possible. The role of water as a solvent for this equilibrium has also been evaluated.
Zusammenfassung
Verteilung von Säuregehalt und Alkalinität in natürlich gealterten, mit Eisengallustinte beschriebenen Manuskripten
Einer der häufigsten Abbauprozesse von mit Eisengallustinten beschriebenen Manuskripten ist die saure Hydrolyse von Cellulose. Ziel dieser Untersuchung ist es, zum Verständnis der säureinduzierten Abbauprozesse beizutragen, indem die Verteilung der relevanten Variablen (pH, Acidität und alkalische Reserve) auf natürlich gealterten, unbehandelten Manuskripten mit unterschiedlichem Abbaugrad genauer ermittelt wurde. In der Studie wurde auch die vertikale Verteilung des pHs innerhalb eines Blatts untersucht. Die bereits bekannten Unterschiede zwischen Kaltextrakt und Oberflächen pH werden diskutiert.
Résumé
Distribution de l‘acidité et de l’alcalinité sur des manuscrits originaux dégradés contenant de l’encre encre ferro-gallique
L‘un des processus de dégradation les plus importants des manuscrits sur papier contenant de l‘encre ferro-gallique est l‘hydrolyse acide de la cellulose.
Le but de cette étude est de contribuer à la connaissance du processus de dégradation acide en regardant la distribution de variables pertinentes (pH, acidité et réserve alcaline) sur des manuscrits originaux non traités et à différents stades de dégradation.
La distribution détaillée des valeurs de pH prenant en compte le débat bien connu sur les différences entre la détermination du pH par extraction superficielle et à froid est comprise dans l’étude.
About the authors
Eva Marín, born in 1980. She received her degree in Fine Arts at the University of Barcelona in 2004 in the specialization of Conservation of Cultural Heritage. Nowadays she is a PhD student at the Analytical Chemistry Department involved in analytical chemistry applied to cultural heritage. Her PhD is focused on the development and application of specific analytical techniques to the study of different artworks. Departament de Química Analítica, Facultat de Químiques, Universitat de Barcelona, Diagonal Ave. 645 (08028) Barcelona Spain.
M. Carme Sistach, born in 1953, graduated in biochemistry and organic chemistry at the University of Barcelona in 1979. She also graduated in Graphic Documents at the High School of Conservation and Restoration in Barcelona in 1990. She gained the degree in paper and cellulose chemistry at the Polytechnic University of Terrassa in Barcelona in 2002. Since 1986, she is the chemist of the Laboratory of Restoration at the Archive of the Crown of Aragon in Barcelona. She participates in two EU projects: “Transition Metals in Paper – MIP” and “EnviArt -COST D42”.
Jessica Jiménez, Chemistry degree student at the University of Barcelona.
Miguel Clemente, Chemistry degree student at the University of Barcelona.
Guillem Garcia, Chemistry degree student at the University of Barcelona.
Dr. José F. García, born in 1959. He obtained his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry in 1989 at the University of Barcelona. At present, he is a full professor at the Analytical Chemistry Department from the University of Barcelona. Since 1982, he has been working in radioanalytical chemistry; since 1997, he is involved in analytical chemistry applied to cultural heritage. His main interest is focused on the development and application of specific analytical techniques to the study of different sets of artworks. Departament de Química Analítica, Facultat de Químiques, Universitat de Barcelona, Diagonal Ave 645 (08028) Barcelona Spain.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Science and Innovation for his financial support in two successive projects named HAR-2011-296654 and HAR-2014-56526.
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