[Nhcoll-l] Fw: Information request: problems with preserving specimens (formalin)
John E Simmons
simmons.johne at gmail.com
Tue Jul 25 22:01:00 EDT 2017
Interesting problem. I am a bit dubious about the stuff being
paraformaldehyde because it is so localized (it appears from the photos to
be forming in small lumps--is this correct?). In my experience, when
paraformaldehyde begins to form the solution generally becomes cloudy. I
think the alternative explanation that was proposed--it is an oxidation
product resulting from drilling the aluminum--is the most likely
explanation. The pH of full-strength aqueous formaldehyde is in the range
of 2.5 to 3.5; when diluted 1:9 with water, the pH is usually in the range
of 3.0 to 4.6, more than sufficiently acidic to corrode the aluminum and
form the aluminum oxyhydroxide that Rob mentioned. The fact that the growth
appears around the holes and cuts is very diagnostic in this case.
Can you tell us a little more about the situation? Specifically:
1. What is the strength of the formaldehyde (full-strength or diluted, and
if the latter, what was the dilution?)
2. Was the formaldehyde buffered either prior to dilution or after, and if
so, what was the buffer and how much was used?
3. How long was the shark in the tank before the mystery growth was noticed?
Thanks,
John
John E. Simmons
Museologica
128 E. Burnside Street
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania 16823-2010
simmons.johne at gmail.com
303-681-5708
www.museologica.com
and
Adjunct Curator of Collections
Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery
Penn State University
University Park, Pennsylvania
and
Instructor, Museum Studies
School of Library and Information Science
Kent State University
On Tue, Jul 25, 2017 at 12:01 PM, Bentley, Andrew Charles <abentley at ku.edu>
wrote:
> More evidence to my theory presented in attached.
>
>
>
> Andy
>
> A : A : A :
> }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
> V V V
> Andy Bentley
> Ichthyology Collection Manager
> University of Kansas
> Biodiversity Institute
>
> Dyche Hall
> 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
> Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
> USA
>
> Tel: (785) 864-3863
> Fax: (785) 864-5335
> Email: abentley at ku.edu
>
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu&d=DwIFaQ&c=cjytLXgP8ixuoHflwc-poQ&r=LpYc_Z_iN1KRw0hheb3x6-8MJUMu482qfHowpGYJqwc&m=NLz73yAvQlXbQs_LNNmpnZCfLRjxtupko2xm6K5F3lg&s=NLG5WrmtteyuarbxJk9N2Eeu76l4zYfBIGZelo3gcds&e=
> <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu_&d=DwMFAw&c=cjytLXgP8ixuoHflwc-poQ&r=LpYc_Z_iN1KRw0hheb3x6-8MJUMu482qfHowpGYJqwc&m=QtgD8M1mpQJY-fn97X_TtSMw6eI7EF2Cu2U7z22wcms&s=uh_p1L86nyUfcmDl3FIEhFgm4U3aPhJZeQy_I5hyAcM&e=>
>
> A : A : A :
> }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
> V V V
>
>
>
> *From:* nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@
> mailman.yale.edu] *On Behalf Of *Bentley, Andrew Charles
> *Sent:* Tuesday, July 25, 2017 10:57 AM
> *To:* Alexandra Snyder <amsnyder at unm.edu>; nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
> *Cc:* projects at sharklife.co.za
> *Subject:* Re: [Nhcoll-l] Fw: Information request: problems with
> preserving specimens (formalin)
>
>
>
> This sender failed our fraud detection checks and may not
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>
> 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
>
> A : A : A :
> }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
> V V V
> Andy Bentley
> Ichthyology Collection Manager
> University of Kansas
> Biodiversity Institute
>
> Dyche Hall
> 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
> Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
> USA
>
> Tel: (785) 864-3863
> Fax: (785) 864-5335
> Email: abentley at ku.edu
>
> https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu&d=DwIFaQ&c=cjytLXgP8ixuoHflwc-poQ&r=LpYc_Z_iN1KRw0hheb3x6-8MJUMu482qfHowpGYJqwc&m=NLz73yAvQlXbQs_LNNmpnZCfLRjxtupko2xm6K5F3lg&s=NLG5WrmtteyuarbxJk9N2Eeu76l4zYfBIGZelo3gcds&e=
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>
> A : A : A :
> }<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<(((_°>.,.,.,.}<)))_°>
> V V V
>
>
>
> *From:* nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces@
> mailman.yale.edu <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 <(505)%20277-6005> 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>
> *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 <+27%2035%20571%200417>
>
> www.sharklife.co.za
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>
>
>
>
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