Published April 25, 1975
| public
Journal Article
Vaterite: a mineralization product of the hard tissues of a marine organism (Ascidiacea)
- Creators
- Lowenstam, Heinz A.
- Abbott, Donald P.
Abstract
X-ray diffraction and infrared absorption spectra show that the spicules of the common tropical ascidian, Herdmania momus, are mineralized with vaterite. These are the first strictly marine organisms known to normally precipitate vaterite. The biomineralization of vaterite may constitute another link between the urochordates and vertebrates. The vaterite of ascidian spicules immersed in natural seawater remains mineralogically unchanged for 1 year, which indicates that vaterite may be preserved transiently in marine sediments.
Additional Information
© 1975 American Association for the Advancement of Science. 14 November 1974; revised 7 February 1975. Contribution No. 2544 from the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology. We thank L. S. Land for the reference vaterite, G. R. Rossman for helpful comments on the manuscript, P. K. Mather and E. C. Pope for the Australian and Tasmanian H. momus samples, and J. E. Fitch for the fish otoliths. K. M. Towe and J. E. Fitch called our attention to some pertinent literature references. M. Dekkers skillfully prepared the samples. A. A. Chodos performed the electron microprobe analyses, B. Bingham the x-ray diffraction analyses, and S. Weiner the infrared absorption spectra. K. Evans and S. Weiner obtained the scanning electron micrographs. Supported by NSF grant GA 36824X1.Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 62133
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20151116-143720809
- GA 36824X1
- NSF
- Created
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2015-11-16Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-10Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Other Numbering System Name
- Caltech Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
- Other Numbering System Identifier
- 2544