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

["George Wolf" <wolfman@xxxxxx>]

Ron
  Hope this is not out of line,I,m a fossil collector that likes to look for
micro shark teeth. I tried a lot of things to break the red beds and other
dirt with teeth in it. Then I found Hydrogen Peroxide. I don't no how hard
your mudstone is-but if the shale has limestone in it the peroxide will do
the job and you don't have to weight long for it to work
              -- Original Message----
From: "Ron Eng" <rceng@u.washington.edu>
To: <paleonet@nhm.ac.uk>
Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006 11:46 AM
Subject: RE: paleonet RE: Supplier of "Quaterary-O"


>
> 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
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------
> > This message was sent using Illinois State University Webmail.
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>