Utilization of Magnesium in Coralline Algae
Most coralline algae contain considerably more magnesium in their calcitic skeletons than can be explained by the shift in their x-ray diffraction peaks. Part of this excess magnesium is explained by local concentrations of higher magnesian calcite within the skeleton. Utilization of these higher magnesian phases may have generic and ecologic implications. Data also suggest that an additional phase, perhaps brucite, may be responsible for the remainder of the excess magnesium.