作者: Engel G. Vrieling , Sandra Hazelaar , Winfried W.C. Gieskes , Qianyao Sun , Theo P.M. Beelen
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-55486-5_12
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摘要: Silica is by far the most abundant compound in earthi¯s crust. It serves various functions nature: organisms ranging from lower eukaryotes to plants use it as one of biominerals that provide support, protection, strength, or tools functions. Biogenic silica least studied biominerals. The best-studied ones (Hunter 1996) are composed calcium (apatite, enamel, calcite); these present bone tissue and teeth mammals shells shellfish. In contrast minerals, relatively little known about formation biogenic silica. likely function unicellular seems be giving strength living cell; good examples aquatic environment siliceous (exo)skeletons cell casings microalgal groups diatoms (Fig.1) silicoflagellates, Radiolaria (Simpson Volcani 1981; Pickett-Heaps et al. 1990; Round 1990).