Iron biominerals in medicine and the environment

Webb, J., Macey, D.J., Chua‐anusorn, W., St. Pierre, T.G., Brooker, L.R., Rahman, I.H.A. and Noller, B. (1999) Iron biominerals in medicine and the environment. Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 190-192 . pp. 1199-1215.

Abstract

The nature and function of iron biominerals, particularly ferrihydrite (5Fe2O3·9H2O) and goethite (α-FeOOH), in medicine and the environment are reviewed through three case studies: the tissue iron deposits formed in the iron overload associated with the genetic disease of thalassemia, a medical condition of global significance; the tissue iron deposits formed in the liver of the endangered tropical marine mammal, the dugong Dugong dugon; the granules formed in the tissue of the freshwater mussel Velusunio angasi.