In addition to molluscs and corals, two groups that contain highly diversified contributors to biogenic carbonate sediments in present-day shallow seawaters, many other organisms are also important Ca-carbonate producers. For some of them, such as the Echinodermata, their present role only poorly reflects their former importance during older geological periods. This chapter, by no means exhaustive, aims to present some of their diverse three-dimensional organizations, focusing on the fine structure of calcareous hard parts. The underlying objective is first, to provide some insight into recognition of the main categories of Ca-carbonate producers of carbonate-dominated sedimentary facies. Additionally, since knowledge of diagenetic change is an obvious prerequisite for obtaining reliable evaluation of characteristics in fossilized biogenic materials, knowledge of the initial state of these Ca-carbonate materials provides the reader with a basis for comparison.

Benthic algae

Very few algae have developed calcareous biomineralization, but they play an important geological role: only two families of the Chlorophyceae and two others among the Rhodophyceae. From a viewpoint of methods, this calcareous mineralization provides remarkable contrasts between the two groups, as follows:

1. (1) They are mineralogical opposites, as calcifying Chlorophyceae virtually always produce aragonite, while the majority of the mineralizing Rhodophyceae form calcite (although Peysnella and related types utilize aragonite);

2. (2) They also are structural opposites, as the Chlorophyceae produce carbonate external to their tissues, while the Rhodophyceae develop calcification at the level of cellular membranes;

3. […]