Influence of Bacteria in a Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate Solution on the Growth Habit of Crystals

Abstract
We found that bacteria present in a potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) solution affect the growth habit of the KDP crystals. Hillocks appeared only on the tapered prismatic surfaces of the crystals grown in solution containing live bacteria. One possible mechanism of this hillock formation is a biochemical reaction between the live bacteria and the KDP crystal.