[NHCOLL-L:1131] Re: :

[Joy Irving]

Dear Angela,

We had two sets of mammoth lower molars which had started to delaminate due 
to storage in fluctuating RH and temperatures.  I consolidated them with a 
25% solution of Paraloid B.72 in acetone, and then stored them with silica 
gel, conditioned to approx. 43% RH, in a polyethylene box with a good seal.  
(Conditioning at 43% RH can be achieved by storing silica gel with, but not 
touching, a saturated solution of potassium carbonate for 3-4 weeks, in a 
reasonably air-tight container such as a desiccator, or a well-sealed 
polyethylene box.  Alternatively, there are sheets of compressed silica gel 
that you can buy already conditioned by the manufacturer, called Artsorb in 
the U.K., but I do not know whether this is available by the same name in 
the U.S.A.)

Any display specimen is likely to suffer daily fluctuations of RH and 
temperature and will eventually deteriorate.  If such specimens are 
important, it is probably a good idea not to display them for too long.  The 
important thing is to store specimens at a constant RH and temperature.

Joy Irving.
Technician.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History.



>From: "King, Angela" <AKing at spfldlibmus.org>
>Reply-To: AKing at spfldlibmus.org
>To: "NHCOLL LIST (E-mail)" <NHCOLL-L at lists.yale.edu>
>Subject: [NHCOLL-L:1127]
>Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 10:47:58 -0400
>
>We have some mammoth teeth that are starting to turn to powder. Is there
>something we can coat them with to stop it and also prevent the others 
>bones
>and teeth from doing the same?
>
>Angela C. King
>Collections care assistant
>Springfield Science Museum
>220 State Street
>Springfield, Mass.
>(413)-263-6800 Ext. 397
>AKing at spfldlibmus.org
>www.quadrangle.org
>


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