My question is because we know that divalent ions can substitute calcium in the biomineralization process of some marine calcifiers and if we have a huge amount of free Fe2+ from pollution, for example, would it be possible that this free iron substitute calcium and we have any dislocations of the d spacing of the calcite lattices or even the formation of calcium iron carbonates such as ankerite? Can we have any response from it by doing High-resolution TEM and Electron Diffraction?
According to a review and meta-analysis of potential impacts of ocean acidification on marine calcifiers from the Southern Ocean, heavy metal pollution is not a direct cause of defects in CaCO3 crystals from marine calcifiers 1. However, heavy metals can indirectly affect the formation of CaCO3 crystals by altering the pH levels of seawater. Heavy metals can also cause oxidative stress and damage to the cells of marine calcifiers, which can lead to defects in CaCO3 crystals 2.
1: Figuerola, B., Hancock, A. M., Bax, N., Cummings, V. J., Downey, R., Griffiths, H. J., Smith, J., & Stark, J. S. (2021). A Review and Meta-Analysis of Potential Impacts of Ocean Acidification on Marine Calcifiers From the Southern Ocean. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.584445
2: Heavy Metal Pollution: Source, Impact, and Remedies. (2011). In Heavy Metals in Water: Presence, Removal and Safety (pp. 1-28). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-1914-9_1
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