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Science 8 September 1972:
Vol. 177. no. 4052, pp. 891 - 893
DOI: 10.1126/science.177.4052.891
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Articles

Calcium Oxalate Crystals in the Aragonite-Producing Green Alga Penicillus and Related Genera

E. Imre Friedmann 1, William C. Roth 1, James B. Turner 1, and Ronald S. McEwen 2

1 Department of Biological Science. Florida State University, Tallahassee 32306
2 Department of Chemistry

Calcium oxalate crystals occur in the marine green algae Penicillus, Rhipocephalus, and Udotea, known as producers of sedimentary aragonite needles. In contrast to the externally deposited aragonite crystals which are generally < 15 micrometers long, the oxalate crystals are larger (up to 150 micrometers) and are located in the vacuolar system of the plant. No calcium oxalate was found in the related but noncalcifying genera Avrainvillea and Cladocephalus.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Aragonitic Algae in Calcite Seas: Effect of Seawater Mg/Ca Ratio on Algal Sediment Production.
J. B. Ries (2006)
Journal of Sedimentary Research 76, 515-523
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Aragonite production in calcite seas: effect of seawater Mg/Ca ratio on the calcification and growth of the calcareous alga Penicillus capitatus.
J. B. Ries (2005)
Paleobiology 31, 445-458
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Biokarst: review and prospect.
H. A. Viles and H.A. Viles (1984)
Progress in Physical Geography 8, 523-542
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