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Conchologists List <[log in to unmask]>
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Mon, 29 May 2017 23:55:01 -0400
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Thank you, John.  


---- John Varner <[log in to unmask]> wrote: 

=============
At a relative humidity of 75%, salt (sodium chloride) will begin to absorb water from the air.  Other salts and proteins have a specific RH at which they stop giving up water to surrounding air, and begin to absorb it.  (this fact is used to calibrate hygrometers).  Calcium salts will absorb humidity at a lower RH.  Low humidity will prevent shells from developing 'Byne's disease, which is a process that clouds the surface of shiny shells, especially cyps.  Fluctuating humidity will hasten the delamination and cracking of species like pen shells and some fresh water bivalves, and cause periostracums top peel, as moisture causes conchilion to expand & contract, so low, constant humidty is best.


- John
________________________________
From: Conchologists List <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Jack Sullivan <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, May 29, 2017 4:23:09 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] How Much Humidity for a Shell Collection?

The suggested book is available from Amazon either new or used.


________________________________
From: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, May 29, 2017 4:12 PM
Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] How Much Humidity for a Shell Collection?

Thank you, Paul and Jack. The suggested book sounds like it will be valuable to me.
---- "Callomon wrote:

=============
Hi Dale,

I suggest you get a copy of Sturm et al. (Eds) 2006, "The Mollusks: a guide to their study, collection and preservation". See http://malacological.org/molluskguide.html

Full of good stuff.

Regards,


Paul Callomon
Collection Manager, Malacology, Invertebrate Paleontology and General Invertebrates

Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia PA 19103-1195, USA
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Tel 215-405-5096 - Fax 215-299-1170



-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, May 29, 2017 2:13 PM
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [CONCH-L] How Much Humidity for a Shell Collection?

AZ State U is expanding the space for our natural science collections and one issue that has come up is what level of humidity might be best for all the collections. We are currently housed in a preexisting building that was not designed for collections, and we are gaining most of the rest of that building and the interior will be remodeled a little.

We have plants, mammals, fish in alcohol, insects, and of course, shells. All will be in a building with only one level of humidity. National  Parks Services recommends keeping humidity around 40-60% for most collections, and adds that shells, bones and teeth could be more susceptible to damage at much lower humidity. Some are asking for lower humidity of around 16% for insects.

I should add that this expansion has been granted because of the donation of a huge insect collection (mainly weevils and leaf hoppers),and the space is primarily to house that collection, and I expect first regard will be for that. However, the (dry) mollusk collection will use part of the space with the insects. I don't believe a closing doorway to isolate the shells will be part of the plans for the expansion.

Do any of you have experience with housing such collections and could you offer any suggestions regarding an appropriate level of humidity?

Thanks,
Dale Snyder

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