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Lascaux Threatened by Fungus |
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Fungus is threatening the
Lascaux cave, located in southwestern France, by the second time in a
decade. The reason of the outbreak is still unknown but factors such as
climate change, environmental control systems or human factor are being
considered.
As the New York Times
reports, the fungi are "described by experts as black stains, the
blemishes are in fact both gray and black" and have from "few
millimeters to four centimeters" in size.
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Fungi eradication will be
attempted by fungicides followed by a four month closure of the cave.
The first fungi outbreak
occurred in 2001 with the appearance of a white mold later identified
as fusarium solani after the recent installation of an air conditioned
system. However, the present outbreak seems to have nothing to do with
the previous attack. |
Further information:
http://www.savelascaux.org
http://www.nytimes.com/
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