[Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] Insights on Dealing with Pitric Acid

[Dirk Neumann]

Hi Mackenzie,

besides the normal risk of specimens in Bouin/picric acid - which you surely are ware off, there is not so much different compared to other transfers from a water-based fixative into ethanol; except having a close look at the neck/lids of the jar to check for the formation of any (picric acid) crystals.

Because (usually small) specimens have been sitting in a quite acidic solution for long time, the tissues usually are weak when you start your transfer. This means, you probably should not leaven them for too long in water to remove most of the Bouin in a first step. Also, it might be worth considering smaller steps when ascending the alcohol ladder - again, depending on which specimens you move and how big they are.

Assuming that you are moving fish, and depending on how large they are, you can either do the normal 20/40/60/70, or, in smaller or more fragile specimens, you can gradually pull them up, i.e. adding 20% EtOH 5-6 times a day, then discard the 20% with the Bouin, replace with fresh 20%, continue to add 40% until you reach 40%, etc. This would be the preferred option for fish larvae, for example, where you want to avoid sudden osmotic changes and osmotic shock.

Hope this helps

Dirk


Am 04.03.2025 um 15:41 schrieb Mackenzie Helane Kinney:
Hello!

I am wondering if anyone has any experience and/or recommendations on how to transfer specimens out of pitric acid. Suggestions concerning both the preservation of the specimen as well as any safety precautions are welcomed!

Thanks in advance,
Mackenzie

Mackenzie Kinney, PhD
Collection Manager for Icthyology

[signatureImage]

Natural History Museum of Denmark
University of Copenhagen
Universitetsparken 15
2100 København Ø
Danmark




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--
Stiftung Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
Postanschrift: Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts;
Generaldirektion: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof (Generaldirektor), Adrian Grüter (Kaufm. Geschäftsführer)
Sitz der Stiftung: Adenauerallee 160 in Bonn
Vorsitzender des Stiftungsrates: Dr. Michael Wappelhorst
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