Abstract
ABSTRACTMagnesium is a key determinant in CaCO3 biomineral formation and has recently emerged as an important paleotemperature proxy. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to determine the fundamental thermodynamic and kinetic controls of Mg2+ on calcite morphology and growth. Comparison of directly measured monomolecular step velocities (vs±) to theoretical crystal growth impurity models demonstrated calcite inhibition due to enhanced mineral solubility through Mg2+ incorporation. Terrace width (λ) measurements independently supported an incorporation mechanism by indicating a shift in the effective supersaturation (σeff) of the growth solutions in the presence of Mg2+. This study resolves the controversy over the molecular-scale mechanism of calcite inhibition by Mg2+ and provides an unambiguous model for the thermodynamic and kinetic consequences of impurity incorporation into CaCO3 biominerals.
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