Architecture of columnar nacre, and implications for its formation mechanism

Phys Rev Lett. 2007 Jun 29;98(26):268102. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.268102. Epub 2007 Jun 29.

Abstract

We analyze the structure of Haliotis rufescens nacre, or mother-of-pearl, using synchrotron spectromicroscopy and x-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy. We observe imaging contrast between adjacent individual nacre tablets, arising because different tablets have different crystal orientations with respect to the radiation's polarization vector. Comparing previous data and our new data with models for columnar nacre growth, we find the data are most consistent with a model in which nacre tablets are nucleated by randomly distributed sites in the organic matrix layers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biophysics / methods*
  • Calcification, Physiologic
  • Calcium Carbonate / chemistry*
  • Chemistry, Physical / methods*
  • Crystallization
  • Mollusca
  • Oxygen / chemistry
  • Synchrotrons
  • Tablets
  • X-Rays

Substances

  • Tablets
  • Calcium Carbonate
  • Oxygen