[Nhcoll-l] Mildew on plastic-covered herbarium specimens

[Dirk Neumann]

Hi Deb,

if there is a need for treatment (to make sure that no spores survive) 
it might be worth to figure out if there is a plant around that treats 
food with gamma radiation; this is usually done e.g. with imported 
fruits or other commodities to kill off any fungi or microbes. Another 
alternative might be Radiosurgery medical centres which operate similar 
radiation sources.

All the best
Dirk


Am 14.07.2017 um 19:33 schrieb Lewis, Deborah A [EEOBS]:
>
> Hello, all,
>
> I’ve just made a disheartening discovery in our herbarium… Some of our 
> specimens of “fluffy”-headed grasses were covered with plastic 
> sheeting (open on at least two sides so that the sheet could be 
> removed for study) during processing for accessioning. I’m not sure of 
> the nature of the plastic, but the mounting paper of some of these 
> specimens shows signs of mildew – aargh! Obviously, this plastic needs 
> to be removed as a first step! But I have some questions beyond that:
>
> 1) What more should be done to stop the growth of the mildew (if that 
> is even possible)?
>
> 2) Obviously it occurred, at least in part, from trapped humidity. 
> After the plastic is removed, can it spread to adjoining specimens if 
> the RH is at acceptable levels? Could the nature of the plastic itself 
> have contributed to this? I’ll check the current RH in the room and in 
> the herbarium cabinet where these were stored, and, although only a 
> “snapshot in time,” can send that information to anyone willing to 
> offer some help.
>
> Thanks in advance for any answers and suggestions!
>
> Deb Lewis
>
> *Deborah Q. Lewis, Curator*
>
> Ada Hayden Herbarium (ISC/IA)
>
> EEOB Department                                 Phone:  (1) 515-294-9499
>
> Iowa State University                           FAX: (1) 515-294-1337
>
> 342 Bessey                                              Email: 
> dlewis at iastate.edu <mailto:dlewis at iastate.edu>
>
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>
> Ames, IA 50011-4009  (USA)
>
>
>
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-- 
Dirk Neumann

Tel: 089 / 8107-111
Fax: 089 / 8107-300
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Tel: +49-89-8107-111
Fax: +49-89-8107-300
email: Dirk.Neumann(a)zsm.mwn.de

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Bavarian Natural History Collections
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