Empirically testing vaterite structural models using neutron diffraction and thermal analysis.

ABSTRACT: Otoliths, calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) ear bones, are among the most commonly used age and growth structures of fishes. Most fish otoliths are comprised of the most dense CaCO₃ polymorph, aragonite. Sturgeon otoliths, in contrast, have been characterized as the rare and structurally enigmatic polymorph, vaterite-a metastable polymorph of CaCO₃. Vaterite is an important material ranging from biomedical to personal care applications although its crystal structure is highly debated. We characterized the structure of Lake Sturgeon otoliths using thermal analysis and neutron powder diffraction, which is used non-destructively. We confirmed that while Lake Sturgeon otoliths are primarily composed of vaterite, they also contain the denser CaCO₃ polymorph,

SUBMITTER: Chakoumakos BC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5114672 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature