[NHCOLL-L:1575] Re: fragmenting fossils

[CHARLES F STURM]

Larkin,
  If the fossils are calcium carbonate, for example Pliocene-Pleistocene
shells from the SE USA, this is likely to be Bynesian Decay (aka Bynes
Disease). This is a deterioration of the calcium carbonate by acids in a
humid environment.  The "cure" would be to create a better environment for
your specimens...low relative humidity, say 50-55%, lower temp (slows down
chemical reactions), acid free paper trays, labels, and other acid free
items (for example powder coated metal cabinets as opposed to wooden
cabinets).
  Once the decay has started, you cannot recover what was lost but you can
prevent further deterioration.

Regards,
Charlie
******************************************************************************
Charlie Sturm, Jr
Research Associate - Section of Mollusks
                     Carnegie Museum of Natural History
	 	     Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Assistant Professor - Family Medicine

csturmjr at pitt.edu