Differential Biodeterioration on Ceramics From the Baijiao No. 1 Shipwreck Induced by Hydroides and Bryozoans

This study investigates pottery recovered from the Baijiao No. 1 shipwreck to elucidate the effects of marine biofouling on ancient ceramics. A range of analytical techniques, including μ‐XRF, SEM‐EDS, XRD, Py‐GC/MS, and microbial sequencing, was employed. Results demonstrate that both hydroides and bryozoans generate salt‐rich microenvironments and induce distinct patterns of biodeterioration. Hydroides establishes an oxygen‐deficient microenvironment enriched with Fe/Mn‐reducing bacteria, leading to the deposition of NaCl, FeO, and MnO. In contrast, bryozoans colonize glaze fissures and promote the growth of Fe/Mn‐oxidizing bacteria, leading to the formation of β‐FeOOH and α‐MnO(OH). These findings provide valuable insights for the conservation of ceramics recovered from marine environments.