Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Marine calcifying organisms precipitate their shells either in equilibrium with seawater or under strict biological control. Here, we show that these two options represent two ends of a spectrum. In species with a more “closed” system, rates of H + removal and Ca 2+ uptake are high and exceed the amount of ions required for calcification. This explains the relatively low Mg/Ca of the calcite of this species by dilution of the [Mg 2+ ] in the calcifying fluid. Conversely, in species with a more open system, the H + and Ca 2+ fluxes are lower, with more seawater exchanged between the environment and calcifying fluid, explaining the relatively high Mg/Ca in these foraminifera. In either of these species, mitochondria were found to be located at the site where the Ca 2+ /H + exchange takes place and the mitochondrial density aligned with the rate of pumping. These findings highlight the crucial role of transmembrane transporters and mitochondria in foraminifera calcification and explain the species-specific elemental signatures.
Source: Science Advances
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
OpenAlex ID: W4410026657