Figure 7

Density-dependent colour SEM (DDC-SEM)⁴² EDX images (panels a,d,g: red/orange dense material (mineral) and green less dense material (organic compounds)) and zoom (panels b,e,h) with calcium-rich mineral shown in red/orange and elemental maps (multi-panels c,f,i) for calcium (red), magnesium (blue), phosphorus (green) and carbon (yellow). (a–c) Kidneys. (d–f) Aorta. (g–i) Stomach. (j) EDX results of atomic composition of calcifications found in the kidneys, heart, stomach and aorta. (k) Molar calcium-to-phosphorus ratios of mineral present in each organ as determined by SEM/EDX. Data are not absolutely quantitative and should be interpreted only as an indication. The ideal stoichiometric Ca/P ratio of HAp, the minimum ratio required to begin the formation of HAp⁴³ and the ideal stoichiometric Ca/P ratio⁴⁴ are indicated in panel k.