Muriatic acid (the stuff they sell in the hardware store for cleaning
masonry) is 10M hydrochloric acid . You should remember hydrochloric
acid from high school chemistry- nasty stuff. 10M is approximately 1/2
as concentrated as possible. The pH of this strength of muriatic acid is
off the charts (approximately -1). In other words, extremely dangerous.
If you are committed to using this , either find a highly diluted
version (though vinegar is a  safe, highly dilute acid that is much
easier to get) or dilute it yourself. The later is not recommended
unless you have the correct tools. And always remember the A rule from
high school chemistry- Always Add Acid to water, never the other way
around. Ignoring this rule, especially with muriatic acid can result in
a very nasty chemical burn.

Ben Carter
Chemistry Teacher (and ABD in Anthropology)

David Campbell wrote:
>
>
>
> Mollusk shells are made of calcium carbonate and various proteins, as
> are a number of things that may grow on shells (calcareous algae,
> bryozoans, some forams, etc.).  Calcium carbonate is soluble in acid.
> It might be possible to carefully use an acid (probably better to use
> something weak, like vinegar) to partially dissolve a particular
> encrustation, but it's easy to harm the shell, too.
>
>
> --
> Dr. David Campbell
> 425 Scientific Collections
> University of Alabama
> "I think of my happy condition, surrounded by acres of clams"

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