[NHCOLL-L:2446] [Fwd: Fixing/preservation of marine benthic macrofauna]

[Shirley S Albright]

Hi all.....am forwarding this message from another list I belong to.   I 
think it's likely many of you will have suggestions to this inquiry.

Shirley Albright
New Jersey State Museum

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Fixing/preservation of marine benthic macrofauna
Date: 	Thu, 7 Oct 2004 14:05:06 +1300
From: 	Nathan Singleton <Nathan.Singleton at EW.GOVT.NZ>
Reply-To: 	Museum discussion list <MUSEUM-L at HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
To: 	MUSEUM-L at HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM



Hi, I would appreciate any answers/ideas to the following questions 
regarding fixing and preservation of marine benthic macrofauna:

A) FOR SHORT TERM PRESERVATION FOR ID WORK

For our estuarine monitoring program we are currently using 70% iso 
propyl alcohol  to fix our samples - do you think 50% IPA would be 
strong enough and do you know any differences/advantages of using ethyl 
alcohol rather than IPA?

Also do you consider sea water, distilled water or tap water is best for 
diluting the alcohol?

B) FOR SPECIES LIBRARY

As I understand for fixation and long term preservation a 10% Formalin 
solution buffered with either Calcium Carbonate, Borax (Sodium Borate) 
or Phosphate buffer is usually used with distilled water or seawater. 
After a certain time period (a few days?) the sample is washed/rinsed 
and then transferred to alcohol.

1. Is distilled water or seawater more suitable?

2. Is it best to use a relaxant (such as Epsom Salts, propylene 
phenoxytol) to minimize fragmentation during fixation?

3. What is a suitable time period to leave the invertebrates in formalin?

4. What is the best buffer - apparently Borax may cause lysis of tissue 
and clearing of pigments

5. What do you use to "wash' the samples - alcohol/water?

6. When transferring to alcohol is it best to do it gradually, ie, from 
a low strength (20-50%) to a higher strength (70%)



Nathan Singleton, Environmental Officer - Coastal Ecology
Environment Waikato, 401 Grey Street PO Box 4010, Hamilton East, Hamilton

Telephone: 64-7-856 7184
Direct Line: 64-7-859 0983 extn 8983 or 8619 (lab)
Fax: 64-7-856 0551
Email: Nathan.Singleton at ew.govt.nz




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