Open AccessMicrostructural characterization of shell components in the mollusc Physa sp.
Author(s) -
de Paula Silvia M.,
Silveira Marina
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
scanning
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.359
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1932-8745
pISSN - 0161-0457
DOI - 10.1002/sca.4950270303
Subject(s) - aragonite , shell (structure) , characterization (materials science) , calcite , materials science , elemental analysis , mineralogy , chemistry , nanotechnology , inorganic chemistry , composite material
Shells of the freshwater, pulmonate snail Physa (Mollusca, Gasteropoda), ranging from 0.5 to 10 mm in length, were studied using scanning microscopy, x‐ray analysis, and infrared spectroscopy. Results obtained suggest that the shell is composed of aragonite, which occurs in several distinct crystalline forms. A selective distribution of crystalline forms (hexagonal plates, prisms, rhombohedra, and spherulites) occurred along specific sites of the shell. A variable distribution of the forms was also detected in adult shells and in protoconchs of developing embryos. Qualitative elemental analysis, using an energy‐dispersive spectrometer, corroborates the presence of calcium, phosphorus and sulphur ions.