Codex Atlantic Purpose of the research. These are the notes of Leonardo da Vinci, on which mysterious spots appeared

Codex Atlantic, originally known as Codex Atlanticus, was of interest to scientists from the Polytechnic University of Milan, who gave expert opinions on the matter. The results of these studies are presented in p Scientific reports.

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The scientists’ effort was led by Lucia Toniolo. It was she and her colleagues who used a number of research techniques to understand the location of the black spots observed within the so-called Basi part. This term is used to describe cardboard frames used to frame various types of works.

The possibility that the stains were due to bacterial decomposition has already been ruled out. Through hyperspectral photoemission, fluorescence imaging and ATR-IR microimaging, vinyl-starch adhesives have been discovered.

Interestingly, the Atlantic Codex came to the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana in 1637. Thanks to the efforts of specialists from Laboratorio del Libero Antico, it was restored and secured. In the end, 12 volumes consisting of 1,119 sheets were produced. Each of these frames included original notes written by Leonardo da Vinci, so research was an opportunity to get to know them better.

The Codex Atlanticus includes notes written by Leonardo da Vinci in the late fifteenth century

And although the Codex Alimentarius has been stored in suitable conditions in theory since 1997, black spots were found on it after nine years. It appeared in at least 210 pages, causing great concern among curators and scholars. In 2009, the volumes were unlabeled.

In a recent attempt, a decision was made to remove and replace the borders of Sheet 843. During the analysis, team members found circular inorganic nanoparticles, 100–200 nanometers in diameter, composed of mercury and sulfur. Built up inside the depressions formed between the cellulose fibers. Using synchrotron analysis, scientists concluded that it was unusually mercury sulfide.

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As the researchers hypothesize, the presence of mercury may be a result of the use of salt in the adhesive mixture used in preservation techniques. This would have been used to secure Leonardo da Vinci’s notes. As for sulfur, its presence may result from air pollution or the presence of additives used in the production of gum, which leads to the reaction of mercury salts and the formation of mercury sulfide.