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Calcite Reinforced Silica–Silica Joints in the Biocomposite Skeleton of Deep‐Sea Glass Sponges
Author(s) -
Ehrlich Hermann,
Brunner Eike,
Simon Paul,
Bazhenov Vasily V.,
Botting Joseph P.,
Tabachnick Kontantin R.,
Springer Armin,
Kummer Kurt,
Vyalikh Denis V.,
Molodtsov Serguei L.,
Kurek Denis,
Kammer Martin,
Born René,
Kovalev Alexander,
Gorb Stanislav N.,
Koutsoukos Petros G.,
Summers Adam
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201100749
Subject(s) - sponge spicule , calcite , spicule , biocomposite , sponge , materials science , mineralogy , geology , composite material , paleontology , composite number
Abstract The hierarchically structured glass sponge Caulophacus species uses the first known example of a silica and calcite biocomposite to join the spicules of its skeleton together. In the stalk and body skeleton of this poorly known deep‐sea glass sponge siliceous spicules are modified by the addition of conical calcite seeds, which then form the basis for further silica secretion to form a spinose region. Spinose regions on adjacent spicules are then joined by siliceous crosslinks, leading to unusually strong cross‐spicule linkages. In addition to the biomaterials implications it is now clear, from this first record of a biomineral other than silica, that the hexactinellid sponges are capable of synthesizing calcite, the ancestral skeletal material. We propose that, while the low concentrations of calcium in deep sea waters drove the evolution of silica skeletons, the brittleness of silica has led to retention of the more resilient calcite in very low concentrations at the skeletal joints.