Recent breakthroughs in ikaite research are challenging long-held assumptions in crystallography and mineral formation. By analyzing over 1,100 museum specimens through combined morphological and petrological methods, researchers have uncovered new evidence that ikaite—a rare, metastable carbonate—develops unique cleavage patterns during recrystallization, a phenomenon traditional crystallography couldn’t explain. Their work redefines how glendonites (ikaite’s calcite pseudomorphs) are classified and reveals surprising insights:

1. Natural vs. Lab Discrepancy: Ikaite forms in marine environments under specific ionic conditions (Mg²⁺ and PO₄³⁻ dominance), not the pressure/pH conditions used in labs.
2. Carbon Capture Potential: Its rapid recrystallization into glendonite suggests a novel pathway for low-temperature carbon sequestration.
3. Historical Discoveries: The study documents mega-sized Danish glendonites and Holocene coastal sites, linking ikaite’s distribution to paleoenvironmental clues.

This research not only rewrites ikaite’s formation story but also opens doors to applied solutions for climate challenges.