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Science 30 November 1979:
Vol. 206. no. 4422, pp. 1108 - 1109
DOI: 10.1126/science.206.4422.1108
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Articles

Fluorine Is a Major Constituent of the Marine Sponge Halichondria moorei

R. P. GREGSON 1, B. A. BALDO 1, P. G. THOMAS 1, R. J. QUINN 1, P. R. BERGQUIST 2, J. F. STEPHENS 3, and A. R. HORNE 3

1 Roche Research Institute of Marine Pharmacology, Dee Why, New South Wales, Australia 2099
2 Department of Zoology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
3 Institute of Earth Resources, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, North Ryde, New South Wales 2113

Fluorine constitutes about 10 percent of the dry weight of the marine sponge Halichondria moorei. The fluorine occurs as potassium fluorosilicate, which is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. A closely related sponge living in the same habitat does not contain any fluorine. The habitat was found to be free of fluorine except for the small amount naturally present in seawater.

Submitted on May 16, 1979
Revised on July 11, 1979

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)