Assembly of the Intraskeletal Coral Organic Matrix during Calcium Carbonate Formation

Scleractinia coral skeleton formation occurs by a heterogeneous process of nucleation and growth aragonite in which intraskeletal soluble organic matrix molecules, usually referred to as SOM, play key role. Several studies have demonstrated that they influence the shape polymorphic precipitation calcium carbonate. However, structural aspects occur during received less attention. In this research, we study deposition carbonate on model substrate, silicon, presence SOM extracted from two species representative different living habitats colonization strategies, previously characterized. The is performed mainly grazing incidence X-ray diffraction with support Raman spectroscopy electron optical microscopies. results show macromolecules once adsorbed substrate self-assembled layered structure induced oriented calcite, inhibiting vaterite. Differently, when were dispersed solution, amorphous (ACC), still preserving structure. entity these effects was species-dependent, agreement previous studies. conclusion, observed setup required experimental procedure, corals appears present 2D lamellar This preserved interacts ACC but lost interaction calcite. knowledge not only completely new for biomineralization also has strong relevance other organisms.