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Biochemical, biomineral and microstructural properties of the present day bivalve Meretrix meretrix shells from the Thoothukudi coast, Tamil Nadu, India

Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India

Int. Res. J. Earth Sci., Volume 7, Issue (3), Pages 1-9, September,25 (2019)

Abstract

Bivalve shells are an affluent source of calcium content and significant for lime-based industries development. Indian coastlines are rich in bivalve shells occurrences. In this study, Meretrix meretrix (Bivalvia, Veneridae) shells of Thoothukudi coast of Tamil Nadu are taken to study the biochemistry, biomineralization and microstructure characteristics of the shell. After the morphological investigation, the shells were made into fine powder for meralogical and chemical analysis. XRF and XRD instruments were used for chemical and mineralogical measurements. Shell microstructure examination carried out using SEM. The XRF results reveal a high percentage of CaO content in the shell along with Fe, Sr and Mo. The XRD exhibits 12 peaks; all the peaks report aragonite minerals. The microstructures are examined in the shell portions of growth lines and umbo. The umbo part exhibits irregular homogeneous microstructures, whereas the growth lines exhibit granular homogeneous structure and prismatic structures. The umbo part consists of pore spaces which signify the growth of the shell is incomplete due to less availability of the extrapallial fluid (EPF). In the growth line part, two parallel sets of linear depression mark are present, which signifies that there is no sufficient nacre to spread uniformly throughout the shell. This study indicates that the study area Meretrix meretrix shells are formed by biogenic aragonite to a greater concentration, which has been proven with XRD and SEM analysis.

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