Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Application of the 45Ca tracer method for determination of calcification rates in calcareous algae: Effect of calcium exchange and differential saturation of algal calcium pools

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Calcium exchange and differential saturation of algal calcium pools complicate the application of the 45Ca tracer method for the determination of net deposition rates of calcium in calcareous algae. The kinetics of 45Ca uptake is critically reevaluated, and it is shown that incorporation occurs in two stages. A fast stage, saturating the exchangeable calcium pools; and a slow stage, giving rise to net deposition. The reliability of the method much depends on the determination of the second rate constant. Calcium net-deposition rates are obtained from the expression \((\frac{{\Delta y}}{{\Delta x}})_{4^{/S_{SW} } } \), where \((\frac{{\Delta y}}{{\Delta x}})_4 \) represents the second rate constant and S SW the specific activity of the seawater. Calcium exchange and recycling of tracer would lower the second rate constant, hence the method will give rise to minimum values. The application of the method is demonstrated for the following algae: Halimeda incrassata, H. opuntia, Penicillus pyriformis, Udotea flabellum, Cymopolia barbata, Padina sanctae crucis and Amphiroa fragilissima; the results show close agreement of data with independent chemical estimates.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature Cited

  • Adey, W.H. and J.M. Vassar: Colonozation, succession and growth rates of tropical crustose coralline algae (Rhodophyta, Cryptonemiales). Phycologia 14, 55–69 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, D.J.: Coral skeletons: an explanation of their growth and structure. Science, N.Y. 170, 1305–1308 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Böhm, E.L.: Cation-anion balance in some calcium carbonate depositing algae and the detection of organic calcium fractions in the calcareous alga Halimeda opuntia (L.) (Chlorophyta, Udoteaceae). Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 57, 685–693 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • — and T.F. Goreau: Rates of turnover and net accretion of calcium and role of calcium binding polysaccharides during calcification in the calcareous alga Halimeda opuntia (L.). Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 58, 723–740 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • ——: The determination of calcium-45 in seawater, corals and calcareous algae by liquid scintillation counting. Trans. R. Soc. S. Afr. 41, 25–32 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Böhm, E.L. und W. Schramm: Primärproduktion und Kalkabscheidung in einigen Makroalgen. Report Nr. 32 Sonderforschungsbereich 95 Wechselwirkung Meer-Meeresboden der Universität Kiel — Das Harrington Sound Projekt, pp 20–27. Ed. by G. Wefer and G. Hempel. Kiel, FRG: Sonderforschungsbereich 95 (Kiel University, Olshausenstr. 40/60)

  • Borowitzka, M.A. and A.W.D. Larkum: Calcification in the green alga Halimeda. II. The exchange of Ca++ and the occurrence of age gradients. J. exp. Bot. 27, 864–878 (1976a)

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Calcification in the green alga Halimeda. III. The sources of inorganic carbon for photosynthesis and calcification and a model for the mechanism of calcification. J. exp. Bot. 27, 879–893 (1976b)

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Calcification in the green alga Halimeda. IV. The action of metabolic inhibitors on photosynthesis and calcification. J. exp. Bot. 27, 894–907 (1976c)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dustan, P.: Growth and form in the reef-building coral Montastrea annularis. Mar. Biol. 33, 101–107 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Goreau, T.F.: Calcium carbonate deposition by coralline algae and corals in relation to their roles as reef builders. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 109, 123–167 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Heany, R.P.: Evaluation and interpretation of calcium kinetic data in man. Clin. Orthop. 31, 153–183 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • — and G.D. Whedon: Radiocalcium studies of bone formation role in human metabolic disease. J. clin. Endocr. Metab. 18, 1246–1253 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kremling, K.: Determination of major constituents. In: Methods of seawater analysis, pp 195–197. Ed. by K. Grasshoff. Weinheim: Verlag Chemie 1976

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehninger, A.L.: Biochemistry, 2nd ed. 764 pp. New York: Worth Publishers Inc. 1976

    Google Scholar 

  • Stark, L.M., L. Almadovar and R.W. Krauss: Factors affecting the rate of calcification in Halimeda opuntia (L.) Lamouroux and Halimeda discoidea Decaisne. J. Phycol. 5, 305–312 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Marine Science, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany (FRG)

    L. Böhm

  2. Sonderforschungsbereich 95, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany (FRG)

    L. Böhm

Authors
  1. L. Böhm
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by O. Kinne, Hamburg

Sonderforschungsbereich 95 der Universität Kiel, Publication No. 200.

Contribution No. 732 from the Bermuda Biological Station for Research.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Böhm, L. Application of the 45Ca tracer method for determination of calcification rates in calcareous algae: Effect of calcium exchange and differential saturation of algal calcium pools. Mar. Biol. 47, 9–14 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397013

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397013

Keywords

Search

Navigation