USGS

RESULTS


Scanning electron microscope imaging is useful in studying crystal growth mechanisms. Crystal growth affected by rganic acids is characterized by discontinuous growth layers on mineral surfaces. Neither control experiments nor those with added phytoplankton show morphological effects of chemical growth inhibitors.

SEM imaging of nucleated aragonite

Aragonite crystals look similar in experiments performed with and without added phytoplankton, suggesting that the phytoplankton did not affect growth mechanisms after nucleation.

Back Forward

USGS home page || USGS WRD National Research Program Web Page
The URL of this page is: http://wwwbrr.cr.usgs.gov/projects/SW_corrosion/aragonite/results.html
Comments and feedback: cgunther@usgs.gov
Last modified: Thursday, 14-October-99 15:50:14 MST