Structural Pattern Analysis in <i>Patella vulgata</i> Shells Using Raman Imaging

<i>Patella vulgata</i> shells preserve geochemical and structural variations that can provide insights into past environmental conditions. Their composition, primarily calcium carbonate with organic residues from the biomineralization process, is influenced by external factors, such as s...

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Main Authors: María Gabriela Fernández-Manteca, Borja García García, Celia Gómez-Galdós, Jesús Mirapeix, Rosa Arniz-Mateos, Asier García-Escárzaga, Igor Gutiérrez-Zugasti, José Francisco Algorri, José Miguel López-Higuera, Alain A. Ocampo-Sosa, Luis Rodríguez-Cobo, Adolfo Cobo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/9/5180
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author María Gabriela Fernández-Manteca
Borja García García
Celia Gómez-Galdós
Jesús Mirapeix
Rosa Arniz-Mateos
Asier García-Escárzaga
Igor Gutiérrez-Zugasti
José Francisco Algorri
José Miguel López-Higuera
Alain A. Ocampo-Sosa
Luis Rodríguez-Cobo
Adolfo Cobo
author_facet María Gabriela Fernández-Manteca
Borja García García
Celia Gómez-Galdós
Jesús Mirapeix
Rosa Arniz-Mateos
Asier García-Escárzaga
Igor Gutiérrez-Zugasti
José Francisco Algorri
José Miguel López-Higuera
Alain A. Ocampo-Sosa
Luis Rodríguez-Cobo
Adolfo Cobo
author_sort María Gabriela Fernández-Manteca
collection DOAJ
description <i>Patella vulgata</i> shells preserve geochemical and structural variations that can provide insights into past environmental conditions. Their composition, primarily calcium carbonate with organic residues from the biomineralization process, is influenced by external factors, such as sea surface temperature. Raman spectroscopy has emerged as a rapid, non-destructive tool for studying biogenic carbonates, enabling the identification of crystalline phases, organic components, and ion distribution. In this study, Raman imaging was applied to six shell sections of <i>P. vulgata</i> live-collected from Langre Beach in Cantabria, Spain. Spectral data were acquired using a Raman probe with a 532 nm excitation laser, providing high-resolution mapping of structural and compositional features. The analysis revealed spatial variations in mineralogy, organic matrix distribution, and ion incorporation in the calcium carbonate lattice, suggesting patterns originating during shell formation. Notably, the results suggest a consistent relationship between the organic and mineral components of the shells, with carotenoid distribution and carbonate ion substitution in the calcium carbonate lattice following similar growth patterns. These findings highlight the potential of Raman spectroscopy for studying biomineralization processes and the environmental records preserved in marine mollusk shells.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2076-3417
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Applied Sciences
spelling doaj-art-1db2b069149e4d8fbb2d668292c1a6e02025-08-20T03:52:57ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-05-01159518010.3390/app15095180Structural Pattern Analysis in <i>Patella vulgata</i> Shells Using Raman ImagingMaría Gabriela Fernández-Manteca0Borja García García1Celia Gómez-Galdós2Jesús Mirapeix3Rosa Arniz-Mateos4Asier García-Escárzaga5Igor Gutiérrez-Zugasti6José Francisco Algorri7José Miguel López-Higuera8Alain A. Ocampo-Sosa9Luis Rodríguez-Cobo10Adolfo Cobo11Photonics Engineering Group, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, SpainPhotonics Engineering Group, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, SpainPhotonics Engineering Group, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, SpainPhotonics Engineering Group, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, SpainLeibniz Zentrum für Archäologie (LEIZA), 55116 Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, GermanyDepartment of Prehistory and Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08194 Cerdanyola del Vallès, SpainInstituto Internacional de Investigaciones Prehistóricas de Cantabria (IIIPC), Universidad de Cantabria, Gobierno de Cantabria, Grupo Santander, 39005 Santander, SpainPhotonics Engineering Group, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, SpainPhotonics Engineering Group, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, SpainInstituto de Investigación Sanitaria Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39011 Santander, SpainPhotonics Engineering Group, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, SpainPhotonics Engineering Group, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain<i>Patella vulgata</i> shells preserve geochemical and structural variations that can provide insights into past environmental conditions. Their composition, primarily calcium carbonate with organic residues from the biomineralization process, is influenced by external factors, such as sea surface temperature. Raman spectroscopy has emerged as a rapid, non-destructive tool for studying biogenic carbonates, enabling the identification of crystalline phases, organic components, and ion distribution. In this study, Raman imaging was applied to six shell sections of <i>P. vulgata</i> live-collected from Langre Beach in Cantabria, Spain. Spectral data were acquired using a Raman probe with a 532 nm excitation laser, providing high-resolution mapping of structural and compositional features. The analysis revealed spatial variations in mineralogy, organic matrix distribution, and ion incorporation in the calcium carbonate lattice, suggesting patterns originating during shell formation. Notably, the results suggest a consistent relationship between the organic and mineral components of the shells, with carotenoid distribution and carbonate ion substitution in the calcium carbonate lattice following similar growth patterns. These findings highlight the potential of Raman spectroscopy for studying biomineralization processes and the environmental records preserved in marine mollusk shells.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/9/5180mollusk shells<i>Patella vulgata</i>Raman imagingtrace elementsspectroscopy
spellingShingle María Gabriela Fernández-Manteca
Borja García García
Celia Gómez-Galdós
Jesús Mirapeix
Rosa Arniz-Mateos
Asier García-Escárzaga
Igor Gutiérrez-Zugasti
José Francisco Algorri
José Miguel López-Higuera
Alain A. Ocampo-Sosa
Luis Rodríguez-Cobo
Adolfo Cobo
Structural Pattern Analysis in <i>Patella vulgata</i> Shells Using Raman Imaging
Applied Sciences
mollusk shells
<i>Patella vulgata</i>
Raman imaging
trace elements
spectroscopy
title Structural Pattern Analysis in <i>Patella vulgata</i> Shells Using Raman Imaging
title_full Structural Pattern Analysis in <i>Patella vulgata</i> Shells Using Raman Imaging
title_fullStr Structural Pattern Analysis in <i>Patella vulgata</i> Shells Using Raman Imaging
title_full_unstemmed Structural Pattern Analysis in <i>Patella vulgata</i> Shells Using Raman Imaging
title_short Structural Pattern Analysis in <i>Patella vulgata</i> Shells Using Raman Imaging
title_sort structural pattern analysis in i patella vulgata i shells using raman imaging
topic mollusk shells
<i>Patella vulgata</i>
Raman imaging
trace elements
spectroscopy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/9/5180
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