Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: Significance Whether coral skeleton crystals grow by attachment of ions from solution or particles from tissue determines ( i ) corals’ growth rate, ( ii ) how they survive acidifying oceans, and ( iii ) the isotopes in the crystals used for reconstructing ancient temperatures. Our data show that two amorphous precursors exist, one hydrated and one dehydrated amorphous calcium carbonate; that these are formed in the tissue as ∼400-nm particles; and that they attach to the surface of coral skeletons, remain amorphous for hours, and finally crystallize into aragonite. Since these particles are formed inside tissue, coral skeleton growth may be less susceptible to ocean acidification than previously assumed. Coral bleaching and postmortem dissolution of the skeleton will occur, but a calcification crisis may not.
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Awards: G103261293, G1286236842, G1286251239, G222768804, MAPPING OF TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL PHASE TRANSITIONS OF CACO3 IN ECHINODERM SKELETONS: KEY INSIGHTS INTO BASIC MECHANISMS IN BIOMINERALIZATION, G30714459, G3083819904, G419881185, G42916606, MAPPING OF TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL PHASE TRANSITIONS OF CAC03 IN ECHINODERM SKELETONS: KEY INSIGHTS..., G4501827968, G498139845, G5648016710, G650090426, G7057920781, Discovery of New Phenomena in Biomineral Formation, G895545271, G96172096, G969889393
OpenAlex ID: W2748207823