Dystrophic calcification can occur even if the amount of calcium in the blood is not elevated (a systemic mineral imbalance would elevate calcium levels in the blood and all tissues) and cause metastatic calcification. Basophilic calcium salt deposits aggregate, first in the mitochondria, then progressively throughout the cell. These calcifications are an indication of previous microscopic cell injury, occurring in areas of cell necrosis when activated phosphatases bind calcium ions to phospholipids in the membrane.