[Nhcoll-l] Fw: Information request: problems with preserving specimens (formalin)

Tue Jul 25 11:57:26 EDT 2017

Alina, Lex

I am hoping John Simmons will chime in here but I suspect that the formaldehyde is reacting to the welding joints on the aluminum frame.  What you are seeing is paraformaldehyde coming out of solution.  I do not know much about aluminium welding but in a brief Google search they mention oxidization products created during the process that need to be brushed off to prevent "contamination" of the weld joint.  I suspect that it is the reaction of these weld joints that is causing precipitation of paraformaldehyde out of solution however I do not know what can be done about it in the long term short of somehow coating the weld joints with something that will prevent this reaction or using a different solution.  Most countries would never allow formaldehyde to be placed on display for the public in such large quantities due to the toxic hazards of this substance but alternatives are few and untested.

It would be important to know what concentration of formalin is being used, whether the base solution contained any methanol which is used to prevent polymerization and, most importantly, whether the formalin solution was effectively buffered.  Temperature also seems to be an important factor as the colder the formalin solution gets the more paraformaldehyde will precipitate out of solution.  John discusses these effects in his Fluid Preservation book on pages 43 and 44 in great detail.

Andy
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Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager
University of Kansas
Biodiversity Institute
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From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Alexandra Snyder
Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2017 10:13 AM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Fw: Information request: problems with preserving specimens (formalin)

Dear Alina,  I am forwarding your request for information to the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, a group that can advise on the source of the problem in your preservation tanks.  There may be a reaction between the acidic formalin and aluminum supports.  You did not mention the concentration of formalin used for shark specimens. The build up/residue looks like the "stuff" or sludge found in carboys of old formaldehyde that has been through temperature changes and exposure to air.   Is the build up crusty, solid, or soft and easily removed?

Hopefully, the group can weigh in on this and make recommendations for storage/display.   My own experience has only been with fixing and preserving a shark contained (whole) in a very large stainless steel tank-i.e., no exposure to light or fluctuation in temperatures.  I imagine open displays present a whole suite of issues to consider in preservation.   The only long term "shark tank" display  that I am familiar with (via online) is that of Damien Hirst and I have often wondered what is done to maintain the shark in formalin, long-term, i.e., buffers, remixing, tank construction, lighting, etc.  You may be familiar with his work but if not, see attached.

Best wishes, Lex

*************************************
Alexandra M Snyder, Collections Manager-Fishes
Museum of Southwestern Biology MSC03-2020
University of New Mexico Albuquerque NM 87131
PH./FAX 505.277.6005     amsnyder at unm.edu<mailto:amsnyder at unm.edu>

PHYSICAL ADDRESS FOR FEDEX/UPS
Bldg.83  Room 204
302 Yale Blvd NE

________________________________
From: Sharklife Projects <projects at sharklife.co.za<mailto:projects at sharklife.co.za>>
Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2017 3:41 AM
To: Alexandra Snyder; Monica Solis
Cc: 'Grant Smith'
Subject: Information request: problems with preserving specimens (formalin)

Dear Sir/ Madam,

We are a Shark Conservation Group situated in South Africa, and currently encounter some problems with the preserved shark specimens in our shark center/museum.

All of the specimens are contained in a glass box/aquarium which is filled with a formaldehyde-water solution (formalin), and held in place with the help of aluminum contractions and rods.

At any place that the aluminum was cut or drilled a white, snow/dust/fungus like substances is growing (photos are attached). We were thinking that maybe at the cuts something is released or accessible for any reactions, or that while cutting the aluminum some particles of the cutting device got stuck.

The animals have been in the tanks since about one year, and the growth continues.

We wanted to ask whether anyone in the museum has any knowledge regarded to the preservation of animals in formalin and especially the growth of that substance, or you know somebody who can help us.  Any information or contact would be a great help.

We are hoping to hear from you soon.

Thank you for the help and time,

With kind regards,

Alina Hillinger

Sharklife Project Co-ordinator

Sharklife Ocean Center

No.7 Main Road

Sodwana Bay

3794

+27 35 571 0417

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