Mineral Composition Data from Living Coralline Algae for Dolomite Problem Research

Geoscience Australia Data provides findings on the first discovery of dolomite and magnesite in living crustose coralline algae. The dataset likely contains results from chemical micro-analysis quantifying three mineral phases—magnesium calcite, dolomite, and magnesite—within the algae skeleton. It was last updated on 2026-05-14.

Use Cases

• Modeling modern dolomite formation processes based on the discovery of dolomite in living algae.
• Comparing mineral phase compositions based on the continuum of magnesium to calcium ratios described.
• Quantifying potential dolomitisation in reef environments using the described mass balance approach.
• Studying the geobiological implications of magnesite filling cell spaces in coralline skeletons.

Strengths

• Addresses a long-standing scientific conundrum known as the 'Dolomite Problem', studied for over 150 years.
• Presents a novel discovery, being the first confirmation of dolomite in living coralline algae.
• Identifies at least three distinct mineral phases (magnesium calcite, dolomite, magnesite) rather than the one or two previously thought.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Geoscience Australia Data

Collection Method

Chemical micro-analysis of coralline algae skeleton, likely using techniques mentioned in the research description.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-14 04:18:35.990592; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Coral reefs globally, with specific analysis likely on Hydrolithon onkodes algae.