[NHCOLL-L:2744] RE: greasy bones

[White, Rich]

Hi, Blaine;

There are a couple of ways people traditionally have done this.

1.  The use of ammonia (Ammonium hydroxide) in water.  Just let the
bones soak.  It works pretty well, but you've got to get all the ammonia
out afterwards to avoid untoward chemical reactions down the line.

2.  Various solvents.  If it is organic and a solvent, I've seen or
heard of its use.

My favorite is automobile lacquer thinner (1550).  It seems to work
really well, but it is a volatile organic and your Risk Management folks
will raise hell.

Which ever method you use, be sure not to remove all the dsgrese.  You
want to leave some grease content in the bone to prevent over drying and
cracking.
Some folks like to drill holes in the long bones, but I've never found
that necessary, unless you are really in a rush and can't wait to let
the solvent work naturally.

Needless to say, never use bleach.  Never. Ever.  For museum displays
the bones are often whitened with hydrogen proxide, but I find making
them strak white makes surface detail really, really hard to see.


 
Richard S. White, Jr.
Director
International Wildlife Museum
4800 West Gates Pass Road
Tucson, Arizona 85745
520-629-0100 extension 252
Fax: 520-618-3561



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu
[mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Schubert, Blaine W.
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2005 6:18 PM
To: NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:2743] greasy bones


Anyone have any suggestions for pulling the grease out of modern bones?
I am dealing with a pretty stinky and greasy bear right now and would
appreciate any help.

Thanks,
Blaine



Blaine W. Schubert, Ph.D.
Dept. of Physics, Astronomy, and Geology
P.O. Box 70636 (Geology)
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN 37614-1709
Phone: (423) 439-8419
schubert at etsu.edu
http://faculty.etsu.edu/schubert/