Abstract
The present investigation concerns the effects of calcium, strontium, and magnesium on calcification and mineralogy of the calcified bodies (coccoliths) of the coccolithophorid Cricosphaera (Hymenomonas) carterae. The capacity of cells to calcify in various concentrations of these ions was examined following preliminary decalcification in CO2. At a concentration of 10-2 M Ca, 75% of the cells formed coccoliths within 24 h and almost all cells were recalcified after 2 days. At 10-3 or 10-4 M Ca no recalcification occurred. However, with the addition of Sr to the Ca-deficient media, calcification took place as shown by observations of coccoliths and by analysis of Ca. The percentage of calcified cells increased with increasing concentrations of Sr. Strontium added to a Ca-deficient media was much more effective than an equivalent concentration of Ca. No Sr was deposited in the coccoliths. X-ray analysis demonstrated that calcite was deposited by cells in all concentrations of Ca and Sr at which calcification took place. At concentrations of Mg in the media from O. O to 4.2×10-2 M, the cells retained their ability to calcify, although calcification was markedly reduced in the absence of Mg. In low Mg concentrations (1.3×10-4 and 4.2×10-6 M), the coccoliths were 60% calcite and 40% aragonite, and in teh absence of Mg, only calcite was formed.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Blankley, W.F.: Auxotrophic and heterotrophic growth and calcification in coccolithophorids. Ph.D. dissertation, University of California at San Diego 1971
Dorigan, J.L. and K.M. Wilbur: Calcification and its inhibition in coccolithophorids. J. Phycol. 9, 450–456 (1973)
Isenberg, H.D., L.S. Lavine, M.L. Moss, D. Kupferstein and P.E. Lear: Calcification in a marine coccolithophorid. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 109, 49–69 (1963)
Jethi, R.K., M.G. Mackey, P.D. Meredith and C.L. Wadkins: Studies of the mechanism of biological calcification. III. The interaction of strontium with a calcificable matrix from beef tendon. Calc. Tissue Res. 9, 310–324 (1972)
Kitano, Y., N. Kanamori and A. Tokuyama: Effects of organic matter on solubilities and crystal form of carbonates. Am. Zool. 9, 681–688 (1969)
Lewin, R.A. et T.J. Chow: La enpreno de strontio en kokolithoforoj. Pl. Cell Physiol., Tokyo 2, 203–208 (1961)
Likins, R.C., E.G. Berry and A.S. Posner: Comparative fixation of calcium and strontium by snail shell. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 109, 269–275 (1963)
McIntyre, A. and A.W.H. Bé: Modern Coccolithophoridae of the Atlantic ocean. I. Placoliths and cyrtoliths. Deep Sea Res. 14, 561–597 (1967)
Mjaaland, G.: Some laboratory experiments on the coccolithophorid, Coccolithus huxleyi. Oikos 7, 251–255 (1956)
Okada, H. and B. Honjo: The distribution of oceanic coccoliths in the Pacific. Deep Sea Res. 20, 355–374 (1973)
Oxender, D.L.: Membrane transport. Ann. Rev. Biochem. 41, 777–814 (1972)
Paasche, E.: Biology and physiology of coccolithophorids. Ann. Rev. Microbiol. 22, 71–83 (1968)
Schatzmann, H.J. and F.F. Vincenzi: Calcium movement across the membrane of human red cells. J. Physiol. Lond. 201, 369–395 (1969)
Simkiss, K.: Cellular aspects of calcification. In: International Symposium on Mechanisms of Mineralization in Invertebrates and Plants. Ed. by N. Watabe and K.M. Wilbur. Columbia, S.C.: University of South Carolina Press 1975 (In press)
Watabe, N. and K.M. Wilbur: Effects of temperature on growth, calcification and coccolith formation in Coccolithus huxleyi (Coccolithinae). Limnol. Oceanogr. 11, 567–575 (1966)
Weiss, R.E., P.L. Blackwelder and K.M. Wilbur: Effects of calcium, strontium, and magnesium on the coccolithophorid Cricosphaera (Hymenomonas) carterae. II. Cell division. Mar. Biol. 34, 17–22 (1976)
Wilbur, K.M. and N. Watabe: Experimental studies on calcification in molluscs and the alga Coccolithus huxleyi. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 109, 82–112 (1963)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by M.R. Tripp, Newark
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Blackwelder, P.L., Weiss, R.E. & Wilbur, K.M. Effects of calcium, strontium, and magnesium on the coccolithophorid Cricosphaera (Hymenomonas) carterae. I. Calcification. Mar. Biol. 34, 11–16 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390781
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00390781