Intracellular Aragonite Crystals in the Flesh-Water Alga, Spirogyra sp.

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

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: intracellular • aragonite crystals • Spirogyra • algae • Canada

Mineralogical Magazine; April 1988 v. 52; no. 365; p. 241-245; DOI: 10.1180/minmag.1988.052.365.11
© 1988, The Mineralogical Society
Mineralogical Society (www.minersoc.org)