Carbonates: Association with Organic Matter in Surface Seawater

Abstract

Carbonate mineral particles suspended in surface seawater in tropical and subtropical areas do not interact measurably with the water. Identical complex mineral assemblages occur in waters in various states of saturation. Drastic alterations of temperature and pH in the laboratory do not affect the composition of the suspended carbonates. It appears that the mineral grains are protected from the water by resistant organic coatings.