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Crystallization of calcite from amorphous calcium carbonate: earthworms show the way

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2018

M. R. Lee ,
M. E. Hodson  and
G. N. Langworthy
M. R. Lee*
Affiliation:
Department of Geographical and Earth Sciences, Gregory Building, Lilybank Gardens, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
M. E. Hodson
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, School of Human and Environmental Science, University of Reading, RG6 6DW, UK
G. N. Langworthy
Affiliation:
Department of Soil Science, School of Human and Environmental Science, University of Reading, RG6 6DW, UK ERM, Eaton House, Walbrook Court, North Hinksey Lane, Oxford OX2 0QS, UK
*
*E-mail: Martin.Lee@ges.gla.ac.uk
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Extract

Darwin (1881) was one of the first scientists to formally record that earthworms excrete calcium carbonate granules, with some up to 2 mm in diameter. However, since Darwin’s studies they have received relatively little attention. The function of the granules remains a mystery, but may be related to regulation of Ca, CO2, pH or some other as yet undiscovered metabolic process (Robertson, 1936; Piearce, 1972). There has recently been an increase in research activity focussed on earthworm calcium carbonate granules driven by the work of Canti (Canti, 1998, 2007; Cantian d Piearce, 2003) and largely relating to their potential use in archaeology.

Type
Research Article
Information
Mineralogical Magazine , Volume 72 , Issue 1 , February 2008 , pp. 257 - 261
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2008

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