[Nhcoll-l] Antw: RE: Antw: Mould on bird eggs

Thu Feb 20 00:11:21 EST 2025

Yes, Simon and Gretchen are absolutely right: the immersion in 70%
concentrated ethanol is the best way for a extinction of mould.
See here:
https://mailman.yale.edu/pipermail/nhcoll-l/attachments/20240704/4b8b3f78/attachment.pdf

But the colours of many birds' eggs are dissolvable in water and even
more so in ethanol

Best wishes
Joachim

--  
Joachim Haendel

Center of Natural Science Collections
of the Martin Luther University (ZNS)
- Entomological Collection -

Domplatz 4
D-06099 Halle (Saale)
Germany

Phone:  +49 345 - 55 26 447
Email: joachim.haendel at zns.uni-halle.de

>>> "Anderson, Gretchen" <AndersonG at CarnegieMNH.Org> schrieb am
19.02.2025 um 18:24:
Thanks Simon!  I agree that using 70-80% ethanol works very well.

-----Original Message-----
From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Simon
Moore
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2025 10:23 AM
To: Joachim Händel <Joachim.Haendel at zns.uni-halle.de>
Cc: NHCOLL-new <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Antw: Mould on bird eggs

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Hi Vanessa,

I have found that brushing with ethanol (at about 70-80%, a traditional
way) works well but do it with a soft brush obviously.  Also check for
acetic acid smells as I have occasionally found acetic acid
crystallising on the sheets of bird eggs, particularly in a cold
environment (less than 10 deg C) and which removes the outer layer of
the shell with the all-important markings.  Unsure of the acid source
but likely a VOC from somewhere!

Polyester batting seem to work well in the cabinets and is inert to
this kind of deteriogen, including  efflorescence.

With all good wishes, Simon

Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR
Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian.

https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.natural-history-conservation.com&c=E,1,IHuhTjrtez0kLx_3Fh93Q_MrDQ0BOuwdOu1MezoTggizZxiaZpIEfyS5I9OStITtWwHltBYz7N-7o1IMIMuk2e1T_hW6eEqavnvCJBqI1yJfIHsLn054&typo=1

> On 19 Feb 2025, at 13:45, Joachim Händel
<Joachim.Haendel at zns.uni-halle.de> wrote:

>

> Hi Vanessa,

> I think the suggestions you have made are sufficient for the time
being.

> Please brush off the eggs under a fume hood.

> Any use of chemical agents (chlorine cleaner) will damage the
objects.

>

> Pay attention to the microclimate in the cabinets. It is best to
leave a gap of a few mm to the wall and floor (cabinets with feet) so
that the air can circulate and prevent moisture spots.

>

> It is important to monitor the climate in the collection, including
in the cabinets and drawers. A temperature and humidity logger in the
room with wireless sensors in some cabinets is ideal for this.

>

> Good luck

> Joachim

>

>

> --  Joachim Haendel Center of Natural Science Collections of the

> Martin Luther University (ZNS)

> - Entomological Collection -

>

> Domplatz 4

> D-06099 Halle (Saale)

> Germany

>

> Phone:  +49 345 - 55 26 447

> Email: joachim.haendel at zns.uni-halle.de

>

>

> >>> Vanessa Pitusi <vanessa.pitusi at uit.no> schrieb am 19.02.2025 um
09:37:

> Hi,

>

> I have found mould on some of the dry bird eggs that we have in our
collection.

>

> Is it enough to brush off the mould, change out the cotton that they
rest on, and dry them out, or should they be treated in some way?

>

> They will be moved into a new collection room after removing the
mould.

>

> All the best,

>

> Vanessa

> Sent from Outlook for iOS

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