The unusual mineral vaterite in shells of the freshwater bivalve Corbicula fluminea from the UK

Stacking Structure of Vaterite Revealed by Atomic Imaging and Diffraction Analysis

Anhydrous calcium carbonate crystals exist as three polymorphs: calcite, aragonite, and vaterite. Although vaterite is a metastable phase rarely found in the geological environment, it is intriguing that various biominerals are composed of vaterite. The processes of stable vaterite formation in biological systems cannot be understood without elucidating the nature of vaterite. The crystal structure of vaterite has been discussed for nearly a century but is still an open question. Here we propose the actual structure of vaterite by combining atomic imaging and diffraction analysis with simulations of disordered stacking sequences. Vaterite basically appears as layers of hexagonal calcium planes and carbonate (CO3 2-)-containing sheets stacked with +60°, -60°, or 180° rotations from the underlying layer. However, equivalent carbonate positions in alternating layers are forbidden, and four-layer stacking in which the fourth layer rotates 180° relative to the first layer are predominant, forming an orthogonal reciprocal lattice in diffraction patterns. These stacking characteristics replicate the intensity distribution in the electron and X-ray diffraction patterns. This study has almost completely elucidated the crystal structure and stacking sequence of vaterite. Our findings provide insights into the thermodynamic stability of vaterite, which facilitates comprehension of the biomineralization processes and growth dynamics of calcium carbonate.

HcN57, A Novel Unusual Acidic Silk-Like Matrix Protein from Hyriopsis cumingii, Participates in Framework Construction and Nacre Nucleation During Nacreous Layer Formation

In the classic molecular model of nacreous layer formation, unusual acidic matrix proteins rich in aspartic acid (Asp) residues are essential for nacre nucleation due to their great affinity for binding calcium. However, the acidic matrix proteins discovered in the nacreous layer so far have been weakly acidic with a high proportion of glutamate. In the present study, several silk-like matrix proteins, including the novel matrix protein HcN57, were identified in the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-soluble extracts of the nacreous layer of Hyriopsis cumingii. HcN57 is a highly repetitive protein that consists of a high proportion of alanine (Ala, 34.4%), glycine (Gly, 22.5%), and serine (Ser, 11.4%). It forms poly Ala blocks, GlynX repeats, an Ala-Gly repeat, and a Ser-Ala-rich region, exhibiting significant similarity to silk proteins found in spider species. The expression of HcN57 was specifically located in the dorsal epithelial cells of the mantle pallium and mantle center. Notably, expression of HcN57 was relatively high during nacreous layer regeneration and pearl nacre deposition, suggesting HcN57 is a silk matrix protein in the nacreous layer. Importantly, HcN57 also contains a certain content of Asp residues, making it an unusual acidic matrix protein present in the nacreous layer. These Asp residues are mainly distributed in three large hydrophilic acidic regions, which showed inhibitory activity against aragonite deposition and morphological regulation of calcite in vitro. Moreover, HcN57-dsRNA injection resulted in failure of nacre nucleation in vivo. Taken together, our results show that HcN57 is a bifunctional silk protein with poly Ala blocks and Gly-rich regions that serve as space fillers within the chitinous framework to prevent crystallization at unnecessary nucleation sites and Asp-rich regions that create a calcium ion supersaturated microenvironment for nucleation in the center of nacre tablets. These observations contribute to a better understanding of the mechanism by which silk proteins regulate framework construction and nacre nucleation during nacreous layer formation.

Freshwater pearl culture in Bangladesh: Current status and prospects

Freshwater pearl farming is an emerging sector of aquaculture in Bangladesh which plays a growing role at major jewelry markets. With some improved techniques, high quality image or designer pearls are now produced from freshwater mussels Lamellidens marginalis. Yet it is difficult to reach in conclusion as the quantities produced, culture techniques used, and the upgrading of the existing culture technique are not well documented. Furthermore, many obstacles such as proper dissemination of culture technologies among the interested peoples, optimization of the culture environment and culture methods, standardization of breeding protocol and so on need to be addressed by the scientific community. This review article reports for the first time about the status of freshwater pearl culture in Bangladesh highlighting the fundamentals of pearl production, culture techniques used in farms, challenges, and prospects for upgradation of current culture principles in Bangladesh.

Histopathological investigation of four populations of abalone (Haliotis iris) exhibiting divergent growth performance

The black-foot abalone (pāua), Haliotis iris, is a unique and valuable species to New Zealand with cultural importance for Māori. Abalone are marine gastropods that can display a high level of phenotypic variation, including slow-growing or 'stunted' variants. This investigation focused on identifying factors that are associated with growth performance, with particular interest in the slow-growing variants. Tissue alterations in H. iris were examined using histopathological techniques, in relation to growth performance, contrasting populations classified by commercial harvesters as 'stunted' (i.e., slow-growing) and 'non-stunted' (i.e., fast-growing) from four sites around the Chatham Islands (New Zealand). Ten adults and 10 sub-adults were collected from each of the four sites and prepared for histological assessment of condition, tissue alterations, presence of food and presence of parasites. The gut epithelium connective tissue, digestive gland, gill lamellae and right kidney tissues all displayed signs of structural differences between the slow-growing and fast-growing populations. Overall, several factors appear to be correlated to growth performance. The individuals from slow-growing populations were observed to have more degraded macroalgal fragments in the midgut, increased numbers of ceroid granules in multiple tissues, as well as increased prevalence of birefringent mineral crystals and haplosporidian-like parasites in the right kidney. The histopathological approaches presented here complement anecdotal field observations of reduced seaweed availability and increased sand incursion at slow-growing sites, while providing an insight into the health of individual abalone and sub-populations. The approaches described here will ultimately help elucidate the drivers behind variable growth performance which, in turn, supports fisheries management decisions and future surveillance programs.

Hic12, a novel acidic matrix protein promotes the transformation of calcite into vaterite in Hyriopsis cumingii

Shell acidic matrix proteins are widely considered to be essential for shell formation given their low affinity and high loading for calcium ion. In the present study, a novel matrix protein, hic12, was isolated from the mantle of Hyriopsis cumingii. High expression in tissue and positive signals with in situ hybridization were detected in the mantle center and mantle pallium, indicating that hic12 mainly participated in the biomineralization of the shell nacreous layer. The expression pattern of hic12 in the pearl sac during early pearl formation indicated that it was involved in pearl biomineralization. Moreover, the recombinant protein, rGST-Hic12, was successfully expressed and purified. The addition of rGST-Hic12 could accelerate the calcium carbonate deposition rate, change the morphology of crystals, and promote the conversion of calcite to vaterite. These results may provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of aragonite mollusk shell formation.

Microstructural and Genetic Insights Into the Formation of the “Winter Diffusion Layer” in Japanese Pearl Oyster Pinctada fucata and Its Relation to Environmental Temperature Changes

Phenotypic plasticity in molluscan shell microstructures may be related to environmental changes. The “winter diffusion layer,” a shell microstructure of the Japanese pearl oyster Pinctada fucata, is an example of this phenomenon. In this study, we used P. fucata specimens with shared genetic background to evaluate the seasonal plasticity of shell microstructures, at molecular level. To detect the seasonal changes in shell microstructure and mineral composition, shells of multiple individuals were periodically collected and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectrophotometry. Our observations of the winter diffusion layer revealed that this irregular shell layer, located between the outer and middle shell layers, had a sphenoid shape in radial section. This distinct shape might be caused by the internal extension of the outer shell layer resulting from growth halts. The winter diffusion layer could be distinguished from the calcitic outer shell layer by its aragonitic components and microstructures. Moreover, the components of the winter diffusion layer were irregular simple prismatic (the outer and inner sublayers) and homogeneous structures (the middle sublayer). This irregular formation occurred until April, when the animals resumed their “normal” shell formation after hibernation. To check for a correlation between gene expression and the changes in microstructures, we conducted qPCR of seven major biomineralization-related shell matrix protein-coding genes (aspein, prismalin-14, msi7, msi60, nacrein, n16, and n19) in the shell-forming mantle tissue. Tissue samples were collected from the mantle edge (tissue secreting the outer shell layer) and mantle pallium (where the middle shell layer is constructed) of the same individuals used for microstructural observation and mineral identification that were collected in January (winter growth break period), April (irregular shell formation period), and August (normal shell formation period). Statistically significant differences in gene expression levels were observed between mantle edge and mantle pallium, but no seasonal differences were detected in the seasonal expression patterns of these genes. These results suggest that the formation of the irregular shell layer in P. fucata is caused by a currently unknown genetic mechanism unrelated to the genes targeted in the present study. Further studies using big data (transcriptomics and manipulation of gene expression) are required to answer the questions herein raised. Nevertheless, the results herein presented are essential to unravel the intriguing mystery of the formation of the winter diffusion layer, which may allow us to understand how marine mollusks adapt or acclimate to climate changes.

Sclerites of the soft coral Ovabunda macrospiculata (Xeniidae) are predominantly the metastable CaCO3 polymorph vaterite

Soft corals (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Octocorallia, Alcyonacea) produce internal sclerites of calcium carbonate previously shown to be composed of calcite, the most stable calcium carbonate polymorph. Here we apply multiple imaging and physical chemistry analyses to extracted and in-vivo sclerites of the abundant Red Sea soft coral, Ovabunda macrospiculata, to detail their mineralogy. We show that this species' sclerites are comprised predominantly of the less stable calcium carbonate polymorph vaterite (> 95%), with much smaller components of aragonite and calcite. Use of this mineral, which is typically considered to be metastable, by these soft corals has implications for how it is formed as well as how it will persist during the anticipated anthropogenic climate change in the coming decades. This first documentation of vaterite dominating the mineral composition of O. macrospiculata sclerites is likely just the beginning of establishing its presence in other soft corals. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Vaterite is typically considered to be a metastable polymorph of calcium carbonate. While calcium carbonate structures formed within the tissues of octocorals (phylum Cnidaria), have previously been reported to be composed of the more stable polymorphs aragonite and calcite, we observed that vaterite dominates the mineralogy of sclerites of Ovabunda macrospiculata from the Red Sea. Based on electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis, vaterite appears to be the dominant polymorph in sclerites both in the tissue and after extraction and preservation. Although this is the first documentation of vaterite in soft coral sclerites, it likely will be found in sclerites of other related taxa as well.

Non-destructive raman spectroscopic determination of freshwater mollusk composition, growth, and damage repair

Increased acidification of aquatic habitats due to climate change is damaging mollusks. Non-destructive methods for analysis are necessary to study these endangered species. We analyzed five Unionidae gastropods using Raman spectroscopy. Shells were primarily composed of aragonite, a polymorph of calcium carbonate found in shell microstructure. Lattice mode Raman peaks from vaterite, a thought to be rare polymorph of calcium carbonate, were identified in each mollusk. Vaterite is present in mollusks at instances of shell damage and subsequent repair. We demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy is sensitive to vaterite, and it may not be as rare as previously thought. We also collected Raman spectra across the interior of Lampsillis fasciola. This data was analyzed through multivariate analysis, combining Principal Component Analysis with Linear Discriminant Analysis (PCA-LDA). Results of PCA-LDA correlate with growth of the mollusks, demonstrating that Raman spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis could be used to monitor shell growth.

Effect of Polymer Nano- and Microparticles on Calcium Carbonate Crystallization

Molecular and macromolecular templates are known to affect the shape, size, and polymorph selectivity on the biomineralization of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Micro- and nanoparticles of common polymers present in the environment are beginning to show toxicity in living organisms. In this study, the role of plastic nanoparticles in the biomineralization of CaCO3 is explored to understand the ecological impact of plastic pollution. As a model study, luminescent poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles (PMMA-NPs) were prepared using the nanoprecipitation method, fully characterized, and used for the mineralization experiments to understand their influence on nucleation, morphology, and polymorph selectivity of CaCO3 crystals. The PMMA-NPs induced calcite crystal nucleation with spherical morphologies at high concentrations. Microplastic particles collected from a commercial face scrub were also used for CaCO3 nucleation to observe the nucleation of calcite crystals on the particle surface. Microscopic, spectroscopic, and X-ray diffraction data were used to characterize and identify the nucleated crystals. The data presented in this paper add more information on the impact of microplastics on the marine environment.

An insight into the structure, composition and hardness of a biological material: the shell of freshwater mussels

The shell of the freshwater mussel (Mollusca: Bivalvia) is a composite biological material linked with multifunctional roles in sustaining ecosystem services. Apart from providing mechanical strength and support, the shell is an important site for adherence and growth of multiple types of algae and periphyton. Variations in the shell architecture are observed in the mussels both within a species and among different species. Considering the prospective utility of the shell of the freshwater mussels as a biological material, an assessment of the shell characteristics was accomplished using Corbicula bensoni and Lamellidens marginalis as model species. The calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content of the shells, physical features and mechanical strength were assessed along with the morphometric analysis. The CaCO3 content of the shell (upto 95% to 96% of the shell weight) of both the mussels was positively correlated with the shell length, suggesting increased deposition of CaCO3 in shells with the growth of the species. The cross sectioned views of FE-SEM images of the shells exhibited distinct layered structure with external periostracum and inner nacreous layer varying distinctly. In the growing region, the growth line was prominent in the mussel shells revealed through the FESEM images. In addition XRD, FTIR and EDS studies on the mussel shells confirmed the existence of both aragonite and calcite forms of the calcium carbonate crystals with the incidence of various functional groups. The mechanical strength of the mussel shells was explored through nanoindentation experiments, revealed significant strength at the nanoparticle level of the shells. It was apparent from the results that the shell of the freshwater mussel L. marginalis and C. bensoni qualify as a biological material with prospective multiple applications for human well-being and sustaining environmental quality.

Molecular adaptation of molluscan biomineralisation to high-CO2 oceans - The known and the unknown

High-CO₂ induced ocean acidification (OA) reduces the calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) saturation level (Ω) and the pH of oceans. Consequently, OA is causing a serious threat to several ecologically and economically important biomineralising molluscs. Biomineralisation is a highly controlled biochemical process by which molluscs deposit their calcareous structures. In this process, shell matrix proteins aid the nucleation, growth and assemblage of the CaCO₃ crystals in the shell. These molluscan shell proteins (MSPs) are, ultimately, responsible for determination of the diverse shell microstructures and mechanical strength. Recent studies have attempted to integrate gene and protein expression data of MSPs with shell structure and mechanical properties. These advances made in understanding the molecular mechanism of biomineralisation suggest that molluscs either succumb or adapt to OA stress. In this review, we discuss the fate of biomineralisation process in future high-CO₂ oceans and its ultimate impact on the mineralised shell's structure and mechanical properties from the perspectives of limited substrate availability theory, proton flux limitation model and the omega myth theory. Furthermore, studying the interplay of energy availability and differential gene expression is an essential first step towards understanding adaptation of molluscan biomineralisation to OA, because if there is a need to change gene expression under stressors, any living system would require more energy than usual. To conclude, we have listed, four important future research directions for molecular adaptation of molluscan biomineralisation in high-CO₂ oceans: 1) Including an energy budgeting factor while understanding differential gene expression of MSPs and ion transporters under OA. 2) Unraveling the genetic or epigenetic changes related to biomineralisation under stressors to help solving a bigger picture about future evolution of molluscs, and 3) Understanding Post Translational Modifications of MSPs with and without stressors. 4) Understanding carbon uptake mechanisms across taxa with and without OA to clarify the OA theories on Ω.

A Novel Matrix Protein, PfY2, Functions as a Crucial Macromolecule during Shell Formation

Biomineralization, including shell formation, is dedicatedly regulated by matrix proteins. PfY2, a matrix protein detected in the ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)-soluble fraction from both prismatic layer and nacreous layer, was discovered by our group using microarray. It may play dual roles during biomineralization. However, the molecular mechanism is still unclear. In this research, we studied the function of PfY2 on crystallization in vivo and in vitro, revealing that it might be a negative regulator during shell formation. Notching experiment indicated that PfY2 was involved in shell repairing and regenerating process. Repression of PfY2 gene affected the structure of prismatic and nacreous layer simultaneously, confirming its dual roles in shell formation. Recombinant protein rPfY2 significantly suppressed CaCO₃ precipitation rate, participated in the crystal nucleation process, changed the morphology of crystals and inhibited the transformation of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) to stable calcite or aragonite in vitro. Our results may provide new evidence on the biomineralization inhibition process.

Physical versus Biological Control in Bivalve Calcite Prisms: Comparison of Euheterodonts and Pteriomorphs

Multiple groups of bivalve molluscs produce calcitic shell layers, many of these broadly classified as "prismatic." Various pteriomorphian bivalves (such as oysters, pterioids, and mussels) secrete prismatic microstructures with high organic content and clear, strong biological control. However, we present the results of a detailed analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis, and electron backscatter diffraction to characterize the calcitic prisms in two different clades within the euheterodont bivalves: the extant Chama arcana and the extinct rudists. These results show that the form of prisms constructed is both closely similar between the two taxa and significantly different from those of the pteriomorph bivalves. Most notably, C. arcana and the extinct rudists lack the clear organic outer envelopes and uniform polygonal, cross-sectional appearance. Instead, they form interdigitating crystals of very varied diameters, with some crystals encapsulating others. We advocate retaining the term "fibrillar prisms" to classify these euheterodont microstructures. These fibrillar prisms are more closely similar to abiotic speleothem deposits than to the calcitic prisms of pteriomorph bivalves. We argue that calcite prism growth in euheterodonts is dominated by abiotic constraints whereas, in pteriomorphs (such as oysters, pterioids, and mussels), it is under strong biological control.

Effects of the invasive clam Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) on an estuarine microbial community

The Asian clam Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) is well recognized for its invasive behavior and high ecological and economic impacts, being classified as one of the 100 worst invasive alien species (IAS) in Europe. In this study, we performed a manipulative experiment under natural conditions to assess the effects of C. fluminea on sediments biochemistry and on the structure of an estuarine microbial (fungi and bacteria) community. We placed 5 treatments (control, rock, closed, live and open) for 2months in the Minho estuary (NW Iberian Peninsula). No differences were detected between treatments regarding the values of carbon (C), nitrite (NO2(-)), ammonium (NH4(+)), phosphate (PO4(3-)) and calcium (Ca) in the sediments; however, potassium (K) had higher values in the open treatment. Furthermore, we found that the presence of live C. fluminea stimulated fungal biomass (but not diversity) and bacterial diversity. Bioturbation activities by C. fluminea are possibly the main mechanism explaining these results; however, other factors such as the presence of other macroinvertebrate species and/or production of feces and pseudofeces by C. fluminea cannot be excluded. To our knowledge, this is the first manipulative experiment under natural conditions that clearly shows the effects of C. fluminea on an estuarine microbial community. Given the widespread distribution of this IAS and the paucity of quantitative assessments of invasive bivalves' effects on microbial communities, it will be important that future studies further investigate these processes.

On the crystal structure of the vaterite polymorph of CaCO3: a calcium-43 solid-state NMR and computational assessment

The vaterite polymorph of CaCO3 has puzzled crystallographers for decades in part due to difficulties in obtaining single crystals. The multiple proposed structures for the vaterite polymorph of CaCO3 are assessed using a combined (43)Ca solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) spectroscopic and computational approach. A combination of improved experimental and computational methods, along with a calibrated chemical shift scale and (43)Ca nuclear quadrupole moment, allow for improved insights relative to our earlier work (Bryce et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 9282). Here, we synthesize a (43)Ca isotopically-enriched sample of vaterite and perform high-resolution quadrupolar SSNMR experiments including magic-angle spinning (MAS), double-rotation (DOR), and multiple-quantum (MQ) MAS experiments at magnetic field strengths of 9.4 and 21.1T. We identify one crystallographically unique Ca(2+) site in vaterite with a slight distribution in both chemical shifts and quadrupolar parameters. Both the experimental (43)Ca electric field gradient tensor and the isotropic chemical shift for vaterite are compared to those calculated with the gauge-including projector-augmented-wave (GIPAW) DFT method in an attempt to identify the model that best represents the crystal structure of vaterite. Simulations of (43)Ca DOR and MAS NMR spectra based on the NMR parameters computed for a total of 18 structural models for vaterite allow us to distinguish between these models. Among these 18, the P3221 and C2 structures provide simulated spectra and diffractograms in best agreement with all experimental data.

Biogenic nanospheres of amorphous carbonated Ca-Mg phosphate within the periostracum of the green mussel Perna viridis

Recently there is increasing evidence that the shell biomineralization proceeds via an amorphous precursor route. Therefore, the search for and investigation of amorphous biominerals in bivalve shells are of great importance and interest. Here, using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), we investigate the microstructure and mineralogy of the periostracum in Perna viridis. We find that: (1) the periostracum has three layers, of which the inner and outer layer are of proteins, while the middle layer is mineralized with nanospheres of amorphous biominerals; (2) the nanospheres are of amorphous carbonated Ca-Mg phosphate (ACCP), where the CO3(2)(-)/PO4(3)(-) weight ratio is estimated to be ∼0.3, and the Ca/P and Ca/Mg atomic ratio is ∼1.4 and 1.6, respectively; (3) the nanospheres, with a diameter of 43-106nm, are found to assemble into spherules with a diameter of 160-500nm, which are further organized into parallel microlayers separated by the proteins; and (4) the nanospheres are assumed to function as the pH stabilizer to facilitate the shell's initial mineralization. Finally, we expect that these findings will advance our understanding of the shell's biomineralization process.

Bivalve mollusks in metal pollution studies: from bioaccumulation to biomonitoring

Contemporary environmental challenges have emphasized the need to critically assess the use of bivalve mollusks in chemical monitoring (identification and quantification of pollutants) and biomonitoring (estimation of environmental quality). Many authors, however, have considered these approaches within a single context, i.e., as a means of chemical (e.g. metal) monitoring. Bivalves are able to accumulate substantial amounts of metals from ambient water, but evidence for the drastic effects of accumulated metals (e.g. as a TBT-induced shell deformation and imposex) on the health of bivalves has not been documented. Metal bioaccumulation is a key tool in biomonitoring; bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of various metals in relation to bivalves are described in some detail including the development of biodynamic metal bioaccumulation model. Measuring metal in the whole-body or the tissue of bivalves themselves does not accurately represent true contamination levels in the environment; these data are critical for our understanding of contaminant trends at sampling sites. Only rarely has metal bioaccumulation been considered in combination with data on metal concentrations in parts of the ecosystem, observation of biomarkers and environmental parameters. Sclerochemistry is in its infancy and cannot be reliably used to provide insights into the pollution history recorded in shells. Alteration processes and mineral crystallization on the inner shell surface are presented here as a perspective tool for environmental studies.

Mollusk shell structures and their formation mechanism

In nature, mollusk shells have a role in protecting the soft body of the mollusk from predators and from the external environment, and the shells consist mainly of calcium carbonate and small amounts of organic matrices. Organic matrices in mollusk shells are thought to play key roles in shell formation. However, enough information has not been accumulated so far. High toughness and stiffness have been focused on as being adaptable to the development of organic–inorganic hybrid materials. Because mollusks can produce elaborate microstructures containing organic matrices under ambient conditions, the investigation of shell formation is expected to lead to the development of new inorganic–organic hybrid materials for various applications. In this review paper, we summarize the structures of mollusk shells and their process of formation, together with the analysis of various organic matrices related to shell calcification.

What is the difference in organic matrix of aragonite vs. vaterite polymorph in natural shell and pearl? Study of the pearl-forming freshwater bivalve mollusc Hyriopsis cumingii

Aragonite pearl, vaterite pearl and shell nacre of the freshwater mollusc Hyriopsis cumingii (Zhejiang province, China) were chosen to analyze microstructure and organic composition in the different habits of calcium carbonate. SEM and TEM were used to reveal the microstructure and mineralogical phase. We found that tablets in vaterite exhibited more irregular texture and were packaged with more organic matrices than in aragonite forms. Then a peculiar method was introduced to extract water soluble matrix (WSM), acid soluble matrix (ASM) and acid insoluble matrix (AIM) from the three samples, and biochemical analysis of these organic matrixes involved in crystal formation and polymorph selection was carried out. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirms the hydrophobic pattern of the organic matrix intermingled with mineral, the opposite of the early mobilizable water soluble fraction. Amino acid composition confirms hydrophobic residues as major components of all the extracts, but it reveals an imbalance in acidic residues rates in WSM vs. ASM and in aragonite vs. vaterite. Electrophoresis gives evidence for signatures in proteins with a 140 kDa material specific for aragonite in WSM. Conversely all ASM extracts reveal the presence of about 55 kDa components, including a discrete band in vaterite extract.

Fast X-ray powder diffraction on I11 at Diamond

The commissioning and performance characterization of a position-sensitive detector designed for fast X-ray powder diffraction experiments on beamline I11 at Diamond Light Source are described. The detecting elements comprise 18 detector-readout modules of MYTHEN-II silicon strip technology tiled to provide 90° coverage in 2θ. The modules are located in a rigid housing custom designed at Diamond with control of the device fully integrated into the beamline data acquisition environment. The detector is mounted on the I11 three-circle powder diffractometer to provide an intrinsic resolution of Δ2θ approximately equal to 0.004°. The results of commissioning and performance measurements using reference samples (Si and AgI) are presented, along with new results from scientific experiments selected to demonstrate the suitability of this facility for powder diffraction experiments where conventional angle scanning is too slow to capture rapid structural changes. The real-time dehydrogenation of MgH(2), a potential hydrogen storage compound, is investigated along with ultrafast high-throughput measurements to determine the crystallite quality of different samples of the metastable carbonate phase vaterite (CaCO(3)) precipitated and stabilized in the presence of amino acid molecules in a biomimetic synthesis process.

Mineral phase in shell repair of Manila clam Venerupis philippinarum affected by brown ring disease

The mineral phase of shell repair in the Manila clam Venerupis philippinarum affected by brown ring disease (BRD) was characterised at various scales and at various stages of shell repair by confocal Raman microspectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. Spherulitic and quadrangular aragonite microstructures associated with polyene pigments were clearly observed. Von Kossa staining showed that at the beginning of shell repair, hemocytes are filled with insoluble calcium carbonate salts in all fluids and then are transported toward the extrapallial fluids and the repair sites. Our analyses suggest that after a Vibrio tapetis attack and BRD deposit some clams rapidly cover the deposit, resulting in a modification in the microstructure, which could be produced by the participation of both the mantle and hemocytes.