RE: paleonet RE: Supplier of "Quaterary-O"

["Ron Eng" <rceng@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jed,

Quaternary O is no longer manufactured. We carefully use the dregs that we
have left.

Here is a message that was posted on PaleoNet in 1996:

"Regarding QO

Quaternary O is (was) a high molecular weight (450) quaternary ammonium
surface active agent (cationic) of the imidazolinium type with a C17 alkyl
radical. I won't draw it but it is fairly simple. It has the physical
appearance of axle grease and is generally diluted 16:1 with water. It was
manufactured by Geigy Industrial Chemicals in the '60's and '70's for mining
purposes, but was found to be an excellent surfactant for washing forams by
numerous paleontology labs as a substitute for Varsol. Geigy has not
manufactured this chemical since the late '70's. There are, however, several
55 gal. drums of the original QO left, but it is somewhat hoarded by various
companies. I have a substitute manufactured by a chemical company in Texas.
The "new" surfactant is a Coco Betaine Sulfate and acts very similarly to
the original QO. It is called Amine QO and is diluted
16:1 with water just as the original. I can send samples of Amine QO to
those that might be interested in preparing forams. There appears to be no
environmental problems using this surfactant, however, one must always be
cognizant of where the tailings are going during and after the washing
process.
I can be reached at the above email address or by calling the ARCO
Paleontology Lab (214) 509-4482 if you have further questions regarding
microfossil processing.

Steve Johnson"

> -----Original Message-----
> From: paleonet-owner@nhm.ac.uk 
> [mailto:paleonet-owner@nhm.ac.uk] On Behalf Of jeday@ilstu.edu
> Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006 9:00 AM
> To: paleonet@nhm.ac.uk
> Subject: paleonet RE: Supplier of "Quaterary-O"
> 
> Dear Members,
> 
> I am running very low on Quarternary-O, and industrial 
> detergent, used for breaking down mudrocks for foraminifers 
> and conodonts.  I have been using a large supply acquired by 
> my predecessor in my lab here over the last 15-16 years that 
> is now near depletion.  Do any of you know where to acquire 
> this product?  If so, I would be grateful for any leads on 
> suppliers since I have 200 plus shale samples that require 
> use of this product for prosessing in my lab.
> 
> Sincerely yours
> 
> Dr. Jed Day
> Professor of Geology
> Illinois State University
> 309.438.8678
> 
> 
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