RT Journal Article
T1 Earthworm granules: A model of non-classical biogenic calcium carbonate phase transformations
A1 Mandera, Sara
A1 Coronado Vila, Ismael
A1 Fernández Díaz, Lurdes
A1 Mazur, Maciej
A1 Cruz, Juncal A.
A1 Januszewicz, Bartomiej
A1 Fernández Martínez, Esperanza
A1 Cózar Maldonado, Pedro
A1 Stolarski, Jaroslaw
AB Different non-classical crystallization mechanisms have been invoked to explain structural and compositional properties of biocrystals. The identification of precursor amorphous nanoparticle aggregation as an onset process in the formation of numerous biominerals (crystallization via particle attachment) constituted a most important breakthrough for understanding biologically mediated mineralization. A comprehensive understanding about how the attached amorphous particles transform into more stable, crystalline grains has yet to be elucidated. Here, we document structural, biogeochemical, and crystallographic aspects of the formation as well as the further phase transformations of the amorphous calcium carbonate particles formed by cultured specimens of earthworm Lumbricus terrestris. In-situ observations evidence the formation of proto-vaterite after dehydration of earthworm-produced ACC, which is subsequently followed by proto-vaterite transformation into calcite through nanoparticle attachment within the organic framework. In culture medium spiked with trace amounts of Mn2+, the cauliflower-like proto-vaterite structures become longer-lived than in the absence of Mn2+. We propose that the formation of calcite crystals takes place through a non-classical recrystallization path that involves migration of proto-vaterite nanoparticles to the crystallization site, and then, their transformation into calcite via a dissolution-recrystallization reaction. The latter is complemented by ion-by-ion crystal growth and associated with impurity release. These observations are integrated into a new model of the biocrystallization of earthworm-produced carbonate granules which highlights the sensibility of this process to environmental chemical changes, its potential impact on the bioavailability of contaminants as well as the threat that chemical pollution poses to the normal development of its early stages.
PB Elsevier
SN 1742-7061
YR 2023
FD 2023-05
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/72382
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/72382
LA eng
NO National Science Center (Poland)
NO Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades
DS Docta Complutense
RD 2 jul 2024