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Intracellular aragonite crystals in the flesh-water alga, Spirogyra sp.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2018

S. Mann ,
H. Mann  and
W. S. Fyfe
S. Mann
Affiliation:
School of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K.
H. Mann
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada
W. S. Fyfe
Affiliation:
Department of Geology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada
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Abstract

Intracellular crystals of aragonite have been identified by selected area electron diffraction (SAED) in the freshwater filamentous alga Spirogyra sp. which grows sporadically as carpets in the Thames river, Ontario, Canada. The crystals are 2 to 24 µm in length, and characterized by a unique cross-shaped morphology, in which needle-like, or prismatic outgrowths develop from a common axis. Crystals may be dispersed through filaments, but tend to cluster as aggregates towards the centre.

Keywords

intracellulararagonite crystalsSpirogyraalgaeCanada
Type
Mineralogy
Information
Mineralogical Magazine , Volume 52 , Issue 365 , April 1988 , pp. 241 - 245
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 1988

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