Linking environmental observations and solid solution thermodynamic modeling: the case of Ba- and Sr-rich micropearls in Lake Geneva

Intracellular inclusions of amorphous Ba- and Sr-rich calcium carbonates – referred to as “micropearls”– have recently been detected in Lake Geneva. These micropearls are formed under conditions of pronounced Ba and Sr undersaturation in the lake waters. Their formation can be explained by the ability of certain microorganisms to preconcentrate these trace elements in tandem with a non-equilibrium solidsolution growing mechanism.