Hi Dana,

We did the tests that Andrew suggested by mixing our lab calcite  
standard with varying amounts of the polyester resin (...something  
called "artificial water") that is used to mount otoliths on glass  
slides.  As expected no CO2 yield from the resin.

Hope this helps.

Take care,
Jennifer


On Sep 24, 2013, at 2:02 AM, MILLARD A.R. wrote:

>> From: Dana Biasatti [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>> Sent: 23 September 2013 21:06
>>
>> Is it possible to use a solvent such as toluene to dissolve epoxy  
>> from
>> bone (otoliths) without affecting its isotopic composition? d13C and
>> d18O are being determined.
>
> Otoliths are calcium carbonate not bone. Epoxy should not produce  
> any CO2 on reaction with phosphoric acid, so I think you should be  
> able simply to dissolve them in the usual way, unless the epoxy is  
> completely coating the otoliths. It might be worth doing some tests  
> first on pure epoxy.
>
> Best wishes
>
> Andrew
> --
> Dr. Andrew Millard
>   e: [log in to unmask] | t: +44 191 334 1147
>   w: http://www.dur.ac.uk/archaeology/staff/?id=160
> Senior Lecturer in Archaeology, Durham University, UK

Jennifer McKay
Assistant Professor (Senior Research)
College of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences
Oregon State University
104 CEOAS Admin. Building
Corvallis, OR 97331

Office: 541-737-4054
Fax: 541-737-2064
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