[Nhcoll-l] Treating mold in archaeological soil samples?

[Simon Moore]

Hi Liz
I’ve always used ethanol for getting rid of mould growth and it’s highly effective on taxidermy and pinned entomology specimens 
I cannot see such treatment would compromise the processes you mentioned.

With all good wishes, Simon Moore. 
Sent from my iPhone


> On 19 Jul 2024, at 22:20, Melicker, Liz <lmelicker at presidiotrust.gov> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hi Listers –
> We have some archaeological soil samples in our collections that either have had or currently have active mold growth (about 3 cubic feet of material total, in 250-500 g cloth bags). We’ve quarantined them away from other collection items, but are looking to see whether there are any treatments that can be used to arrest the active biological growth, without compromising future analysis (e.g., archaeoparasitology, palynology, geochemistry, etc.).
> The conservation studio we work with does not work on soil, and suggested anoxia treatment likely won’t work. They suggested that desiccating the samples then spraying them with ethanol might work. We’ve also heard freezing is an option. And of course, going forward, we’re working with our archaeology team to implement preventative procedures when soil samples are collected so that we avoid this issue.
> Does anyone have experience with a similar situation and have advice with treatment that worked, or didn’t work, particularly with an eye toward preserving future research potential?
> Thanks in advance –
> Warmly -  
> Liz
> Liz N. Melicker she/her
> LIHZ MEHL-ih-ker
> Curator
>  
> Presidio Trust
> Attn: Liz Melicker
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