[Nhcoll-l] Telling formalin from ethanol

[Dietrich, Elizabeth]

Something to keep in mind-
Based on our sampling, by chemical analysis, of fluids in tanks of preserved animals, if the animals were fixed or previously preserved in formalin there will always be a significant amount present in the alcohol.  By significant, I don't mean by quantity but as a hazard.  I would caution against doing much sniff testing.

From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Best, Megan
Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2014 9:03 AM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Telling formalin from ethanol


Hello all,

I've been benefitting from the conversations on this listserv for some time now, really fascinating and useful stuff.  I manage a research collection, mostly of marine invertebrates, and I have a question:

Is there an easy way to tell if a fixative is formalin or ethanol?  Aside from the smell test!  I'm looking to organise hundreds of jars from various benthic surveys, and we want to switch out anything that's in formalin to ethanol.  The formalin is buffered so I don't think a pH difference would be a strong indicator.  Any ideas/advice would be appreciated.

-Megan

Megan Best
Invertebrate Taxonomy
tel: 902.426.2791   email: megan.best at dfo-mpo.gc.ca<mailto:megan.best at dfo-mpo.gc.ca>
Ocean and Ecosystem Sciences Division | Division des sciences de l'écosystème et de la mer
Department of Fisheries and Oceans | Ministère des Pêches et Oceans
Government of Canada | Government du Canada
Bedford Institute of Oceanography | Institut Océanographique de Bedford
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