disease disease accurately known decay peculiar permanently damaging condition resulting ongoing chemical reaction attacks shells storage display long periods time decay form formed reaction acidic basic shell surface resemble growth mold described early 19th century decay understood years later condition named man best known describing late 19th century person describe print addition mistakenly assumed condition caused bacteria condition came referred disease addition shells natural history specimens susceptible form decay including fossils mineral samples composed calcium condition concern museum scientists private collection specimens kinds order avoid decay use metal non acid free materials archival quality preferred common paper wood based materials ordinary collection environments management affected specimens includes washing thorough drying subsequent archival setting appearance disease appear white coating shell looks shell infected mold mold like appearance revealed growth history british naturalist briefly mentioned form deterioration book text book described condition suggesting particles atmosphere evidently effect origin british amateur naturalist described condition presentation ireland presentation june year convinced acid present calcium affected shells described methods called extensive chemical tests claimed applied specimens conclusions assumed acid originated activity concluded decaying effect travelled shell shell condition came called disease resolution true nature disease partially clarified british government chemist explained oak london giving acid attacking shells stored years disease mentioned literature published extensive study subject deep analysis involving complex sophisticated techniques infrared analysis nuclear magnetic resonance finally revealed true nature decaying process identified substances involved calcium chemical reactions originated concluded disease actually disease fact caused simple chemical reactions occur presence acidic originating immediate environment specimens stored chemistry decay usually starts specimens stored displayed considerable periods time enclosed space storage method usually causes problem containers display cases entirely partially wood wood products specimens surrounded contact kinds materials based turn water acidic potentially damaging materials include non archival quality cardboard card paper cotton acidic time problem acidic time high humidity air significant contributing factor lack ventilation specimens high ambient temperatures increase decay generally display cases entirely partially wood groups wood creates acid rate acid produced proportional concentration wood humidity temperature overall environment acidic released occur wood degradation product acidic given commonly case acid calcium main components freshwater marine land shells birds eggs specimens producing calcium salt oxygen air create acid basically effects acid reacting calcium produce salt calcium calcium specimen outer surface destroying fine detail exposing areas reaction condition progresses salt crystals build specimen surface increasingly eroded calcium acid chemical reaction occurs follows calcium acid chemical reaction occurs follows calcium acid chemical reaction occurs follows reaction calcium acid produce calcium water carbon dioxide prevention specimens placed size container long term storage display consistent use archival quality materials prevents development disease materials metal display cases archival quality paper labels card museum collections specimens vulnerable reaction worth mentioning sea shells collecting need washed thoroughly freshwater remove salt shell dried thoroughly stored salt attracts moisture makes shells vulnerable decay following chart shows non archival materials archival possible use wood derivatives avoided entirely known volatile organic compounds acidic potential damage calcium specimens avoided water based considered harmful preferred reactions involved decay require certain quantity moisture air order place keeping air somewhat dry keeping environmental relative humidity control beneficial achieved careful monitoring relative humidity instruments applying necessary simple air conditioning systems extremely low humidity damage specimens caution recommended usually relative humidity maintained considered adequate applying containing strong base potassium inside storage environment protect specimens degradation possible copy paper filter paper low cost examples strong bases preference react acid compete successfully calcium specimens acidic present bases help reduce overall acid concentration inside enclosed space management damage specimens unfortunately decay arrested washing specimens water followed thorough drying specimens placed environment consists archival materials completely archival setting disease collections contain fossils high humidity affect iron fossils somewhat similar condition known disease iron react water oxygen form iron acid produce decay
Byne's disease