Anna Loehrer asked about cleaning coral
We have found that immersion in distilled or deionised water with a small amount of a non-ionic detergent such as Synperonic A7 for a limited time was very helpful. Normally we would put a specimen in a container and slowly fill the container with the cleaning solution through a tube, making sure it would not fall directly onto the specimen, then siphon the solution out with the tube afterwards. However, the specimens we were cleaning, described in the article, were very light and long Venus flower baskets and we didn't want to lay them flat. The safest way was to slowly lower them into a tall jar of the solution.
Larger, heavier, pieces of coral can be immersed this way, and the base of the container can be padded with a sheet of Plastazote foam held down at the corners with weights.
It's important that the piece is not left too long and that it is drained carefully and air dried.
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Never pour solution directly on the specimen
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Never add solution in large quantities, as this can trap air bubbles inside
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Add the solution slowly alongside the specimen
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Allow the solution to infiltrate the specimen and air bubbles to emerge.
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Carrying on slowly pouring until the specimen is covered. Don't leave part of the specimen exposed to air for more than a few seconds as a "tide line" of dirt can be formed.
An ultrasonic cleaner has been used to good effect as well, with just distilled or deionised water.
Hope that helps
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Helena Jaeschke, ACR FIIC
Conservation Development Officer
Museum Development South SWest
Taunton UK
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