ScienceAugust 30, 2026
aragonite
uh-RAG-uh-nite
Definition
A specific crystalline form of calcium carbonate that is commonly produced by marine organisms to build their shells and skeletons.
Etymology
The word is named after the Spanish region of Aragon, where the mineral was first discovered and identified in 1797.
In the news
In the article, aragonite is identified as one of the primary mineral forms of calcium carbonate that corals and other marine life create, which later breaks down to form biogenic beach sand.
Science says sand isn’t always made from rocks: Some beaches are built from the remains of living things
Read the full article ↗The Economic Times