[NHCOLL-L:4481] Re: Mould on fossils

[Ann M Molineux]

Heidi,

We have also noted instances of various molds on our historic Tertiary fossil collection located in a non-HVAC zone. Our Microbiology department verified that it was mold and appeared to be from common spores found in air and soil. According to them we would need specimen sterilization and sealing within moisture free chambers to completely protect them.
In our situation that translated into gently dusting off the mold, light swabbing with a mild bleach solution (if the specimen could withstand such treatment), and transfer as many as feasible to our HVAC zone.
We have limited space in the HVAC zone but we assigned this collection as a priority for any additional space when available. Luckily for us some additional space may shortly be available and we are currently searching for funding to achieve the transfer and upgrade. None of our specimens were plant fossils but we will go ahead and move our more important plant specimens currently stored in similar conditions,  into the HVAC zone.
I think the take home message from our viewpoint was that this was a problem that had to be addressed if we wished to retain these very valuable early collections.
Ann

**********************************
Ann Molineux, PhD
Curator and Collections Manager, Non-vertebrate Paleontology
Texas Natural Science Center, The University of Texas at Austin
Phone: 512-232-5384,  FAX: 512-471-6090
Web: http://www.utexas.edu.tmm/npl/
Mailing addresss: Non-vertebrate Paleontology Lab, Building 122
J. J. Pickle Research Campus, 10100 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78758-4445

From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu [mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Shelton, Sally Y.
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 9:39 AM
To: Simmons, John; hfourie at nfi.museum
Cc: nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:4477] Re: Mould on fossils

I would also check to make sure that, as John says, this is not Byne's "disease" or other mineral efflorescence. The scenario you describe does not sound like pyrite breakdown, but does suggest the possibility of mineral efflorescence.

I hate to engage in shameless self-promotion and am not trying to do so, but here is a reference: http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/publications/conserveogram/11-15.pdf. This can affect fossil as well as Recent specimens.


Sally Y. Shelton, Collections Manager and Faculty Instructor
Museum of Geology, O'Harra 307
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
501 E. St. Joseph
Rapid City, SD   57701
phone 605.394.2487
email Sally.Shelton at sdsmt.edu



From: owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu [mailto:owner-nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu] On Behalf Of John E Simmons
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 8:14 AM
To: hfourie at nfi.museum
Cc: nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:4476] Re: Mould on fossils

Are you positive that this is mold?  Mold needs a nutrient base to grow, as well as high humidity (>65% for most species).  There are very little nutrients on fossils, unless the mold is eating some organic-based coating.   You might be seeing a salt efflorescence or crystallization of minerals in the rock matrix (e.g., pyrite disease) rather than mold--try scraping some off and looking at it under a microscope.

--John

John E. Simmons
Museologica
128 E. Burnside Street
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania 16823-2010
simmons.johne at gmail.com<mailto:simmons.johne at gmail.com>
303-681-5708
www.museologica.com<http://www.museologica.com>
and
Adjunct Curator of Collections
Earth and Mineral Science Museum & Art Gallery
Penn State University
19 Deike Building
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802-2709
jes67 at psu.edu<mailto:jes67 at psu.edu>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dr Heidi Fourie <hfourie at nfi.museum<mailto:hfourie at nfi.museum>>
Date: Sat, Aug 29, 2009 at 7:36 AM
Subject: [NHCOLL-L:4474] Mould on fossils
To: nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l at lists.yale.edu>
I've discovered mould growing on fossils we stored in our basement.  These are invertebrate fossils in blocks mounted in wooden frames.  Both the frame and fossil are covered in mould.  The mould is  whitish grey wooly and round in pattern.  It even grows on the Glyptal.
My question is, what is the safest chemical to clean this with or is water and soap safest.  The storage room that it is going to has a very low humidity so I don't think the mould will reappear and how safe is the fossil plants in the same basement storeroom?

Heidi
Dr H. Fourie
Curator: Vertebrate Palaeontology
Transvaal Museum
Tel: 012 3227632



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