1981/03/13 by Heinz A. Lowenstam · 3 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies #Geology and Paleoclimatology Research #Geochemistry and Elemental Analysis
paper · doi:10.1126/science.7008198
openalex publication_date 1981/03/13 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Organisms are capable of forming a diverse array of minerals, some of which cannot be formed inorganically in the biosphere. The initial precipitates may differ from the form in which they are finally stabilized, or during development of the organism one mineral may substitute for another. Biogenic minerals commonly have attributes which distinguish them from their inorganic counterparts. They fulfill important biological functions. They have been formed in ever-increasing amounts during the last 600 million years and have radically altered the character of the biosphere.