Chemistry of Calcified Portions of Nautilus Pompilius

Abstract

The Sr, Mg, and Ca chemistry and mineralogy of the shell, beaks, and inorganic compounds of the renal appendages of Nautilus pompilius Linné 1758 reveal a complex physiochemical system of biomineralization. The chemistry of the shell and septal aragonite is similar, and establish that N. pompilius discriminates against the concentration of Sr and Mg in sea water by 78% and more than 99% respectively. Beaks consist of high-Mg calcite (4.4% MgCO3). Renal appendages contain either aggregates of crystals (uroliths) of Mg-oxalate dihydrate with nuclei of hydroxyapatite or disassociated particles of hydroxyapatite or both. There is no evidence that uroliths or hydroxyapatite particles serve as temporary reservoirs of Ca during calcification of septa.