MicrobeHunter.com Microscopy Forum

Hi all

I made a few permanent slides of some tiny freshwater shrimps using L&C water based mountant but have found as the mountant is drying lots of tiny air bubbles have appeared some near the specimen but lots well away from the specimen
Has anyone had these issues and how was it resolved?

While I do not know this mountant, I suggest that you try to de-gas it somehow by applying a vacuum. Maybe air was mixed into the medium during transport (shaking) and this one might form bubbles during drying. If the medium shrinks during drying, then this can also cause bubbles. I suggest then to allow the medium to pre-dry before adding the cover glas (to make it less viscous) and/or to experiment with different amounts of mountant. Put small and large drops on a slide (no specimen) and add cover glass and see if it forms bubbles.

Oliver.