Abstract
A large number of invertebrates form granules of amorphous inorganic material. Such granules are principally composed of calcium pyrophosphate but also act to accumulate of a wide range of metals, such as copper, iron, manganese and zinc. The mechanism of the formation of these granules is not clear. In the present work some aspects of the chemistry associated with the formation of such materials in vitro have been studied. The synthesis of calcium pyrophosphate, doped with manganese(II) ions at different [Mn]:[Ca] molar ratios has been investigated at pH 7 and 25°C. Speciation of the Ca–P2O7 and Ca–Mn–P2O7 systems in the pH range 1–14 has also been modelled. Considerable variations occur in the structure of calcium pyrophosphate formed under close to equilibrium growth conditions when manganese ions are present in solution.
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