[Nhcoll-l] mold on coral and sponge specimens

[Simon Moore]

Hi Kathy,

Alcohol is an effective fungus remover and neutraliser.  By carefully brushing alcohol (fine art brush) with alcohol, the mould can be removed.  
As to the corals, if they’re skeletal then the process you describe should be OK. But if they’re dried with their polyps intact then the alcohol would affect the pigmentation.

Hope that this helps.

With all good wishes, Simon.

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




On 6 Oct 2015, at 17:46, Kathy Omura <komura at nhm.org> wrote:

> Does anyone have any experience with mold removal on dried sponge specimens? 
> I have a Demospongiae, Dictyoceratida and a Hexactinellida, Euplectella  that needs cleaning.
> I've looked at a few papers but haven't found any remediation procedures dealing with sponges.
> 
> Also, is soaking dry coral specimens in 70% ethanol for 24 hours the best/safest way to remove mold?
> I have a Pocillopora, Turbinaria and Siderastrea (starlet coral) that needs cleaning.
> 
> Any suggests, papers you may know of or helpful hints would be greatly appreciated.
> Thank you, Kathy
> 
> -- 
> Kathy Omura
> Collection Manager
> Marine Biodiversity Processing Center
> Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
> 
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