Hello all!
  I have left shells in bleach for months and they didn't have much outward
damage as long as the shell was kept underwater....  I have also had shells
that were exposed to air without being rinsed properly get yellow!
    Also, thanks for all the kind words to American citizens, both on the
list and off!!
                    LaVerne
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>From: Paul Monfils <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Conchologists of America List <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Bleach and white shells
>Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 01:33:53 -0400
>
>Hello Ross,
>
>Since I have not noticed any yellowing problems after bleaching tens of
>thousands of shells, I am led to suspect that the yellowing you observed
>might be due more to the water you dilute the bleach with, than to the
>actual bleach.  If your water contains a lot of iron, iron atoms can
>actually replace calcium atoms in the shell.  Shells found on shipwrecks
>where iron is present, or on pilings under large iron bridges, are often
>stained yellowish to brown to dark red-brown, depending on the amount of
>iron present.  Perhaps this could account for the yellowing you have
>seen(?)  If so, this could be prevented by purchasing distilled water,
>and using that to dilute the bleach.
>
>Paul M.


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