[Nhcoll-l] Coelacanth deterioration

Simon Moore couteaufin at btinternet.com
Thu Sep 7 18:16:58 EDT 2017 

Some history of the specimen’s initial treatment would be most helpful as John has suggested.  pH 4 is the critical level for hydrogen ion activity, so you’re getting close and it obviously isn’t helping the specimen.  
Beware of cosmoid scale loss as well as these can be squeezed out over time from their protein-based ‘pockets’ on the skin if these pockets start to shrink.  If the specimen is preserved in alcohol then the scale loss can be repaired using Necolodine solution.  Feel free to come back to me if you need any further advice or more detail and do send pics.

With all good wishes, Simon.

Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR
Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,
www.natural-history-conservation.com 




> On 7 Sep 2017, at 22:11, John E Simmons <simmons.johne at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Do you know anything about the preservation history of the specimen? For example, when was it collected; was it frozen before being preserved; was it formaldehyde-fixed or preserved directly in alcohol; has it always been in isopropyl alcohol? Some photographs of the deterioration you have noticed would be very helpful.
> 
> --John
> 
> John E. Simmons
> Museologica
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> Adjunct Curator of Collections
> Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery
> Penn State University
> University Park, Pennsylvania
> and
> Instructor, Museum Studies
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> Kent State University
> 
> On Thu, Sep 7, 2017 at 4:26 PM, Perry Poon <Perry.Poon at ocean.org <mailto:Perry.Poon at ocean.org>> wrote:
> I am an employee of the Vancouver Aquarium in British Columbia.  I am looking for advice in the deteriorating nature of the Aquarium’s Coelacanth.  It is currently in 50% isopropanol, and the pH is less than 5.
> 
> Deterioration is around the head, fin membranes , and towards the tail.
> 
>  
> 
> Looking for expert advice, and I will send pictures to interested parties
> 
>  
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Perry Poon 
> COORDINATOR, PROPS
> 
> Perry.Poon at ocean.org <mailto:Perry.Poon at ocean.org> 
> Vancouver Aquarium
> 
> British Columbia
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> Canada
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