Curvularia lunata drives biodeterioration of PVC secondary cable insulation involving surface colonization, moisture retention and chemical deterioration
- 1Key Laboratory of Biological Resource and Ecological Environment of Chinese Education Ministry, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- 2Animal Disease Prevention and Green Development Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- 3Core Laboratory, Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Abstract
Microbial degradation of cable insulation materials is a critical issue affecting the reliability of power systems. In this study, metagenomic analysis was employed to reveal the microbial community structure on contaminated substation cables, identifying Curvularia lunata as a dominant fungal species in high-voltage environments. Subsequently, a specific strain, Curvularia lunata B3, was isolated and identified for further investigation. To assess its specific impact on insulation performance, artificial inoculation experiments were conducted on secondary cable samples. Multi-dimensional characterization techniques, including SEM, WCA measurements, halogen moisture analysis, FTIR, XPS, and LCR digital bridge testing, were utilized to evaluate material degradation. The results demonstrated that C. lunata colonization caused significant surface erosion, characterized by the formation of holes and furrows. This physical damage was accompanied by a marked decrease in hydrophobicity, with the water contact angle dropping from 88.30 ± 0.79° to 78.27 ± 1.27°, and a gradual increase in water content to approximately 1.2% over 60 days. Chemical analysis revealed that microbial activity induced oxidation and dechlorination of the PVC insulation, evidenced by the reduction of C-Cl bonds and the emergence of oxygen-containing functional groups. These physicochemical alterations significantly compromised the electrical insulation of the cables, as evidenced by a marked decrease in series resistance (Rs) and an increase in series capacitance (Cs). This study elucidates the mechanisms of fungal erosion on cable insulation and provides a scientific basis for developing targeted protective strategies in power systems.
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BibTeX
@article{liu2026curvularia,
title = {{Curvularia lunata drives biodeterioration of PVC secondary cable insulation involving surface colonization, moisture retention and chemical deterioration}},
author = {Yimeng Liu and Shiying Yan and Jian Zhang and Yiping Chen and Yue Zhou and Changyi Huang and Tianlan Jiang and Yu Gao and Hansheng Zhu and Hao Shi and Chaoyi Han and Fosheng Li and Jie Zhang and Jian Zhao and Mei Cao},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0357774},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357774},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Curvularia lunata drives biodeterioration of PVC secondary cable insulation involving surface colonization, moisture retention and chemical deterioration
AU - Yimeng Liu
AU - Shiying Yan
AU - Jian Zhang
AU - Yiping Chen
AU - Yue Zhou
AU - Changyi Huang
AU - Tianlan Jiang
AU - Yu Gao
AU - Hansheng Zhu
AU - Hao Shi
AU - Chaoyi Han
AU - Fosheng Li
AU - Jie Zhang
AU - Jian Zhao
AU - Mei Cao
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/08
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0357774
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357774
AB - Microbial degradation of cable insulation materials is a critical issue affecting the reliability of power systems. In this study, metagenomic analysis was employed to reveal the microbial community structure on contaminated substation cables, identifying Curvularia lunata as a dominant fungal species in high-voltage environments. Subsequently, a specific strain, Curvularia lunata B3, was isolated and identified for further investigation. To assess its specific impact on insulation performance, artificial inoculation experiments were conducted on secondary cable samples. Multi-dimensional characterization techniques, including SEM, WCA measurements, halogen moisture analysis, FTIR, XPS, and LCR digital bridge testing, were utilized to evaluate material degradation. The results demonstrated that C. lunata colonization caused significant surface erosion, characterized by the formation of holes and furrows. This physical damage was accompanied by a marked decrease in hydrophobicity, with the water contact angle dropping from 88.30 ± 0.79° to 78.27 ± 1.27°, and a gradual increase in water content to approximately 1.2% over 60 days. Chemical analysis revealed that microbial activity induced oxidation and dechlorination of the PVC insulation, evidenced by the reduction of C-Cl bonds and the emergence of oxygen-containing functional groups. These physicochemical alterations significantly compromised the electrical insulation of the cables, as evidenced by a marked decrease in series resistance (Rs) and an increase in series capacitance (Cs). This study elucidates the mechanisms of fungal erosion on cable insulation and provides a scientific basis for developing targeted protective strategies in power systems.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -