Marine Biology

, Volume 122, Issue 3, pp 479–485 | Cite as

X-ray diffraction study of mineral components in calcareous algae (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta)

  • D. Medaković
  • S. Popović
  • N. Zavodnik
  • B. Gržeta
  • M. Plazonic
Article
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Accepted:

Abstract

The mineral composition of nine species of red calcareous algae (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta) collected in the Adriatic Sea in 1987 and 1988 was examined by X-ray powder diffraction (counter diffractometer, monochromatized CuKα radiation). In addition, a comparison between the calcareous algae from the north Adriatic (Rovinj area) and the central Adriatic (Kornati Islands) with regard to genus, species and environmental factors was undertaken. All analyzed samples contained magnesium calcite, which was dominant in all but in two cases, where aragonite was the main phase. Diffraction lines of magnesium calcite were broadened and shifted toward higher Bragg angles in relation to pure calcite. Supposing that in the calcite crystal lattice only magnesium replaces calcium, it follows that the fraction of magnesium in magnesium calcite, found from diffraction line shifts, would be 18 molar % (M%). Aragonite was dominant (75 to 80 M%) in two samples of Pseudolithophyllum expansum collected at Kornati Islands in 1987 and 1988. These two samples also contained magnesium calcite and a small fraction of calcite (5 to 10 M%). In other studied samples aragonite was detected in small fractions, up to 10 M%. The elemental analysis of corallinacean algae obtained by X-ray spectroscopy showed that the fraction of the metals Sr, Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, Br, Cu and Rb was very small (15 to 2000 ppm). In most samples other expected minerals were detected in small fractions, such as sylvite (KCl, up to 2 M%), quartz (α-SiO2, up to 2 M%) and magnesite (MgCO3, only in one sample, 1 M%). The results show that calcareous algae are able to deposit a mixture of magnesium calcite, calcite and aragonite. Such a large molar fraction of aragonite in the alga P. expansum, or in any other corallinacean algae, has not been noted in recent literature. It seems that a complexity of microclimatic and oceanographic factors may influence the diversity of two localities and cause some exchange in living organisms. In addition, the fact that under certain conditions the same organism is capable of forming different minerals from the same tissue (McConnaughey 1989) confirms our opinion that environmental effects are imprinted in the skeletal composition of calcareous algae P. expansum.

Keywords

Calcite Aragonite Magnesite Rhodophyta MgCO3 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1995

Authors and Affiliations

  • D. Medaković
    • 1
  • S. Popović
    • 2
    • 3
  • N. Zavodnik
    • 1
  • B. Gržeta
    • 2
  • M. Plazonic
    • 2
  1. 1.Center for Marine Research Rovinj“Ruder Bošković” InstituteRovinjCroatia
  2. 2.Materials Science and Electronic Department“Ruder Bošković” InstituteZagrebCroatia
  3. 3.Physics DepartmentFaculty of ScienceZagrebCroatia

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