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Strontianite in coral skeletal aragonite

Journal Article · · Science
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Boeing Company, Seattle, WA (United States)
  2. Univ. of Texas, El Paso, TX (United States)
  3. EXAFS Co., Pioche, NV (United States)
An x-ray spectroscopic study of scleractinian coral skeletons indicated that, although some strontium substitutes for calcium in the aragonite structure, at concentrations of about 7500 parts per million, as much as 40 percent of the strontium resides in strontianite (SrCO{sub 3}). A doublet peak in the Fourier transform of the extended x-ray absorption fine structure of the coral correspond to six metal and 13 oxygen neighbors surrounding strontium at about 4.05 angstroms in strontium-substituted aragonite and at about 4.21 angstroms in strontianite. Thus, the mechanism of the temperature-sensitive partitioning of strontium between seawater and coral skeleton used for paleothermometry is unexpectedly complex. 11 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.
DOE Contract Number:
FG06-84ER45121
OSTI ID:
467955
Journal Information:
Science, Journal Name: Science Journal Issue: 5305 Vol. 275; ISSN SCIEAS; ISSN 0036-8075
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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