Application of cathodoluminescence microscopy to recent and past biological materials: a decade of progress

Cathodoluminescence (CL) microscopy is a powerful technique for studying biominerals. New progress on CL observation of biological materials is discussed especially the Mn2+ incorporation in shells during life and the relationship with environmental and/or diagenetic parameters. The aragonite-calcite transformation temperature during heating is reviewed, for example, in order to trace the chemical alteration of archaeological fired shells. New data are presented for Mn2+ activated luminescence in crystalline vaterite.