[Nhcoll-l] Algal growth on cleared and stained specimens on display

[Bentley, Andrew Charles]

Hi all

We have a very cool cleared and stained exhibit in our museum that has been up for about 3 years.  It exposed to very small amounts of sunlight filtering down a long hallway but has LED lights that illuminate the boxes that the specimens are housed in.  They are immersed in glycerin that has Thymol added to prevent mold growth.  Unfortunately we have started to notice growth on the specimens that we can only assume is an algae of some sort.

I have a couple of questions in this regard:


1.       Has anyone else seen this on C&S specimens on display?

2.       Does anyone have any ideas as to how to mitigate this?  We have considered an algaecide but do not know if this will have negative effects on the specimens?  We have also considered adding a little alcohol to the glycerin but the specimens are in plexi boxes and as such the alcohol would craze the plexi.  Anything else we could try?

3.       Does anyone who knows there algae know if this would have any effects on the specimens?  It is hard to tell whether any damage has been caused by the algae but there is potential evidence of fin margins being compromised.

Thanks as always for any help you can provide.

Andy

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Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager
University of Kansas
Biodiversity Institute
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
USA

Tel: (785) 864-3863
Fax: (785) 864-5335
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