Brucite in Carbonate Secreted by the Red Alga Goniolithon sp.
X-ray diffraction studies, chemical analyses, infrared-absorption studies, and nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectrum analysis demonstrate the existence of the mineral brucite, Mg(OH)(2), in the skeletal carbonate secreted by the red marine alga Goniolithon sp. Electron microprobe examination of the carbonate shows that the brucite is concentrated in certain areas of the skeletal structure. These results explain the anomalously high solubility and large cell size of the Goniolithon "carbonate" observed by earlier investigators.
Schmalz
R F
RF