Thanks Dave

I agree - the problem is the animal decay which will make glossy shells dull if alcohol is not
replaced from time to time.

Marcus



-----Mensagem original-----
De: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Em nome de David Lum
Enviada em: quarta-feira, 18 de março de 2009 03:52
Para: [log in to unmask]
Assunto: Re: [CONCH-L] Isopropyl Alcohol

Hello Marcus,

     I've had some bad experiences with keeping glossy shells like Cypraea
in a container of isopropyl alcohol for a long period of time.  I don't
believe that it's the alcohol itself that caused the etching - alcohols are
non-acidic.  Rather, I think that acidic compounds leached out of the
specimen, which ended up lowering the pH and caused the problem.  The
lesson, perhaps, is to periodically replace the alcohol if preserving both
the shell and the animal is important.

Aloha,
Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Marcus Coltro
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 2:11 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [CONCH-L] Isopropyl Alcohol

I dived with Tony McCleery (for the last time, unfortunately - the article
in on my website) and he
asked if it is ok to leave shells on isopropyl alcohol for long periods.
I've been using in most of
my trips, but I only leave shells for a few days before cleaning them.

He said someone told him it could attack the shell structure and destroy it
if immersed for several
years.

Is this correct?

Marcus

www.femorale.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------
[log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs
To leave this list, click on the following web link:
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1
Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and
click leave the list.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------
[log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs
To leave this list, click on the following web link:
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1
Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and
click leave the list.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------
[log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs
To leave this list, click on the following web link:
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1
Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and
click leave the list.
----------------------------------------------------------------------