Risk assessment of mould growth on spruce wood during transport in an intermodal container
Author
Kržišnik, Davor
Lesar, Boštjan
Thaler, Nejc
Grbec, Samo
Humar, Miha
Abstract
Microclimatic conditions (relative humidity and temperature) were monitored in a shipment of Norway spruce (Picea abies) wood inside an intermodal container on its 66-day transport from Slovenia to Japan. In parallel, the susceptibility of Norway spruce wood to moulding fungi was determined and a dynamic vapour sorption analysis was performed. Considerable moulding developed on specimens that were exposed to a climate with relative humidity above 93%. The results of the laboratory assessment correlated with the observations of mould development in the container. The relative humidity in the container was below 93%, so there was no mould growth on the transported Norway spruce wood.