<div dir="ltr"><div><div style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)" class="gmail_default">I agree with Dirk--without a very good seal on the containers, the glycerol will likely absorb moisture from the air, introducing both airborne contaminants into the containers and possibly causing them to overflow (I have had both happen to containers of specimens in glycerin that were not properly sealed). </div><div style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)" class="gmail_default"><br></div><div style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)" class="gmail_default">Because these specimens do not have scientific value, you should also consider adding a biocide to the glycerol such as a few crystals of thymol or a bit of camphor (as recommended by Simon Moore).</div><div style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)" class="gmail_default"><br></div><div style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)" class="gmail_default">--John</div><br clear="all"></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">John E. Simmons<br>Writer and Museum Consultant</span></font></div><div dir="ltr"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">Museologica<br><i>and</i><br>Investigador Asociado, Departamento de Ornitologia<br>Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima</span></font><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Tue, Jun 24, 2025 at 9:40 AM Marion BILLOT <<a href="mailto:Marion.Billot@geneve.ch">Marion.Billot@geneve.ch</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div class="msg6460038527767484809">
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<p class="MsoNormal">Dear colleagues,<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am currently working on an exhibition project involving fluid-preserved specimens, and I am exploring the possibility of replacing ethanol with glycerol for long-term display purposes. The main objective is to reduce fire hazards and
mitigate health risks in display environments (cases that are not airtight).<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am preparing to present this proposal internally. As this practice is not yet established in my institution and tends to raise concerns, I would be very grateful for any feedback from professionals who have experience using glycerol in
this context.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To clarify:<u></u><u></u></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc">
<li class="m_6460038527767484809MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm">The specimens are of strictly pedagogical value, they are not scientifically rare or culturally significant.<u></u><u></u></li><li class="m_6460038527767484809MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm">We aim for long-term display in semi-sealed cases with limited air exchange.<u></u><u></u></li><li class="m_6460038527767484809MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0cm">I understand that transferring specimens from ethanol to glycerol requires several days of transitional baths in demineralized water to avoid osmotic shock and tissue damage. I am
considering a gradual transition: ethanol 70<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span>% → 50<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span>% → 30<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span>% → 10<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span>%,
followed by glycerol in increasing quart-step dilutions. I will let it in a minimum of 4 hours for small specimen (5 cm).<u></u><u></u></li></ul>
<p class="m_6460038527767484809MsoListParagraph"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Have you used glycerol for display purposes in your institution? If so, under what conditions, and with what types of specimens? Any technical advice, protocol suggestions, or reference materials would be most appreciated.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you very much in advance for your insights. They will be very helpful in supporting a safer and more sustainable exhibition strategy.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Best regards, <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Marion<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<td style="border-style:none;border-color:rgb(0,0,0);border-width:0px;padding:0px" width="253"><font color="#4f4f4f" face="Verdana" size="1">Marion BILLOT</font><br>
<font color="#4f4f4f" face="Verdana" size="1">Collaboratrice support scientifique<br>Invertébrés<br>T. +41 22 418 6459</font><br>
<a href="mailto:marion.billot@geneve.ch" target="_blank"><font color="red" face="Verdana" size="1">marion.billot@geneve.ch</font></a><font color="#4f4f4f" face="Verdana" size="1"></font></td>
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<font color="#4f4f4f" face="Verdana" size="1">Département de la culture et de la transition numérique</font><br>
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