## 3 Results and Discussion
### Physical and Chemical Degradation  
#### 3.2.1 Results of SEM Analysis  
The identification of the plant species (_Cedrus libani_), carried out by SR-\(\upmu\)-CT, was confirmed by SEM micrographs (Figure 4c-e), which also showed different mechanisms of deterioration of the ultrastructure of the wood. SEM images can reveal how the physical and chemical properties of wood undergo a significant transformation as a result of degradation over time. Overall, the extensive cell collapse visible in the images shows how these degradation processes gradually disrupted the internal structure of the wood, leading to significant changes in its material properties. Anatomical features showed diagnostic characteristics, including the systematic arrangement of tracheids, distinctive  
Figure 3: Pictures of wooden sections, observed under a light microscope, for the observation of the micromorphological features. (**a**): Transverse section showing the cellular arrangement, including tracheids, ray parenchyma and resin canals characteristic of _Cedrus libani_. (**b**,**c**): Radial sections of the wood sample. (**b**) Axial tracheid pits with scalloped tori, along with the presence of ray tracheids. C: Longitudinal tracheids with bordered pits. The observed anatomical features, including tracheid structure and pitting patterns, are consistent with _Cedrus libani_ identification. Scale bars: a and b = 20 \(\upmu\)m; c = 50 \(\upmu\)m.  
Figure 2: Images of the tested wooden samples. (**a**): Synchrotron-based X-ray microtomography (SR-\(\upmu\)-CT) virtual section (isotropic voxel size = 2.4 \(\upmu\)m); the anatomical pattern of wood is visible. The arrows highlight some degradation evidences in the form of separations on the wood texture and the interferences with soil particulates. (**b**): A SEM image of the wood sample. Arrows highlight the wood tissue separations and soil deposits. pit formations in the radial walls and a species-specific radial morphology (Figure 4c). The deterioration assessment indicated significant structural modifications manifesting in several pathological phenomena: physical degradation evidenced by cellular deformation, tracheid wall fracturing, middle lamella deterioration and partial structural collapse. Biochemical deterioration was demonstrated by cell wall thinning, irregular erosion patterns indicative of microbial activity and material loss in highly degraded regions, accompanied by apparent mineral depositions visible as electron-dense regions (Figure 4d,e) [83,84]. The structural alterations included weakened intercellular adhesion, cell wall separation, anatomical distortion and void formation through material loss. From a physical point of view, the progressive cellular structure breakdown leads to a reduction in strength, an increase in porosity, a decrease in density and an increase in brittleness, ultimately altering the mechanical properties of wood [28,80]. Chemically, wood undergoes complex molecular transformations with the breakdown of lignin and cellulose. This leads to changes in its chemical composition, surface chemistry and molecular reactivity [85,86]. These microscopic changes are the result of complex interactions, including enzymatic degradation by microorganisms, oxidative reactions, the hydrolysis of chemical bonds and environmental factors such as temperature and humidity [87]. The 3D rendering obtained by SR-uCT data revealed a soil particle accumulation within the wood matrix (Figure 4a). The zoomed region in Figure 4b distinctly delineates soil deposits while simultaneously illustrating the wood anatomical architecture in the 3D domain. Figure 4: (**a**): 3D rendering of a sub-volume obtained by SR-u-CT measurements (isotropic voxel size = 2.4 μm), and (**b**): zoomed region of this volume showing the details of interest: soil particles inside the wood sample are evident; the shape of soil deposits and the wood anatomical structure are also visible. (**c**–**e**): SEM micrographs.