Conservation, Rehousing, and Computerization of the Invertebrate Paleontology Collection at the University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology

已向T博士颁发了一笔赠款。密歇根大学的Baumiller对古生物学博物馆（UMMP）的无脊椎动物化石收藏进行了改进。资金正用于纠正收藏品中的一些紧迫的保护问题，并将部分过时的木制橱柜更换为现代的档案质量金属橱柜。这些收藏品被广泛用于研究和培训未来的古生物学家。包括在收集超过6500个“模式”和“数字”标本，以及许多精美保存的化石，从经典的领域的地方，不再访问。它们是科学界最重要的标本之一，因为它们是科学家在评估潜在的新物种或新发现时所依赖的重要参考材料。国家科学基金会的支持将有助于确保这些重要的收藏品得到妥善的安置和保存，以备将来使用。 许多化石含有矿物黄铁矿（二硫化铁），黄铁矿的氧化是许多自然历史收藏中的一个严重问题。在水和氧气的存在下，黄铁矿分解，形成次生矿物，可能会消除化石的表面细节，并产生应力裂缝，导致标本的物理解体。在分解反应过程中也可能产生苛性碱硫酸，对样品、标签和储存托盘造成进一步损坏。拜恩的“疾病”也是收藏中的一个问题，当腐蚀性挥发物，特别是木材和纸制品分解产生的有机酸与标本中的碳酸钙反应时，就会发生这种疾病。 这些反应会导致二次晶体的生长，也会严重损坏样品。因此，UMMP收藏中大量最好和最重要的标本含有黄铁矿，处于危险之中。少数人显示出拜恩“疾病”的迹象。 将实施一项使用最先进方法的补救和预防性保护协议，以抢救受损标本并保护收藏品免受未来的损害。这些处理基于成熟的保护技术，包括1）刷洗，2）用乙醇胺硫乙醇酸盐和氨气对标本进行脱酸，3）用无水乙醇干洗，4）使用干燥剂去除活性水，以及5）使用屏障膜袋创建保护性氧气、水分和无腐蚀性微环境。馆藏中非档案质量的材料将被档案质量的材料取代。现在存放风险最大的标本的陈旧木柜将被档案质量的金属柜取代，所有标本将被转移到一个新装修的、更大的、安全的设施。金属柜将提供额外的保护措施，因为已知木制柜会释放甲酸和乙酸等腐蚀性挥发物，这可能导致拜恩病，促进黄铁矿分解，并损害标本标签和托盘。新的橱柜还将提供更有效的存储，并在新的设施增加的空间允许更大的易用性。 该项目更广泛的影响包括保护收藏品和改善科学家和学生的访问。 这些标本被广泛用于研究和教学，其中包括许多来自已不复存在或无法访问的地方的脆弱标本。我们对生命历史的了解取决于像这样的收藏品的完整性和寿命。该项目将涉及研究生助理，并提供宝贵的培训，在关键方面的收藏品，照顾未来的古生物学家。 UMMP的无脊椎动物收藏品也被广泛用于公众教育和展览，它们的保护将确保公众继续从中受益。

A grant has been awarded to Dr. T. Baumiller at the University of Michigan to make improvements to the invertebrate fossil collection in the Museum of Paleontology (UMMP). Funding is being used to correct a number of urgent conservation problems in the collection and to partially replace antiquated wooden cabinets with modern, archival-quality metal cabinets. The collection is used widely in research and training of future paleontologists. Included in the collection are over 6500 "type" and "figured" specimens as well as many exquisitely preserved fossils from classic field localities that are no longer accessible. These are among the most important specimens to science because they are the essential reference material that scientists depend upon when evaluating potentially new species or new occurrences. National Science Foundation support will help to ensure that this important collection is properly housed and conserved for future use. Many fossils contain the mineral pyrite (iron disulfide), and the oxidation of pyrite is a serious problem in many natural history collections. In the presence of water and oxygen, pyrite breaks down, forming secondary minerals that may obliterate surface detail of the fossil and produce stress fractures that lead to physical disintegration of the specimen. Caustic sulfuric acid may also be produced during the breakdown reactions, causing further damage to specimens, labels, and storage trays. Byne's "disease" is also a problem in the collection and occurs when corrosive volatiles, particularly organic acids emanating from the breakdown of wood and paper products, react with calcium carbonate in specimens. These reactions cause the growth of secondary crystals that can also damage specimens severely. A large number of the finest and most important specimens in the UMMP collection contain pyrite are thus at risk. A smaller number show signs of Byne's "disease". A protocol for remedial and preventive conservation using state-of-the-art methods will be implemented to salvage damaged specimens and protect the collections from future damage. The treatments are based on proven conservation techniques and will include 1) brush-cleaning, 2) de-acidification of specimens with ethanolamine thioglycollate and ammonia gas, 3) dry-cleaning with anhydrous ethanol, 4) the use of desiccants to remove reactive water, and 5) creation of protective oxygen, moisture, and corrosive-free microenvironments using barrier-film bags. Non-archival quality materials in the collections will be replaced with archival quality materials. The antiquated wooden cabinets now housing the specimens at greatest risk will be replaced with archival quality metal cabinets and all specimens will be moved to a newly renovated, larger, secure facility. The metal cabinets will provide an added measure of protection because wooden cabinets are known to release corrosive volatiles such as formic and acetic acid, which can lead to Byne's "disease", promote pyrite decomposition, and harm specimen labels and trays. The new cabinets will also provide much more efficient storage and with the added space in the new facility allow a much greater ease of use. The broader impacts of this project include safeguarding the collection and improving access for scientists and students. The collection is widely used in research and teaching and contains many vulnerable specimens from localities that no longer exist or are no longer accessible. Our knowledge of life's history depends on the integrity and longevity of collections such as this. The project will involve graduate student assistants and provide valuable training in critical aspects of collections-care to future paleontologists. The UMMP invertebrate collections are also widely used in public education and exhibits, and their preservation will ensure that the general public continues to benefit from them.