Marine polyphosphate: a key player in geologic phosphorus sequestration.
The in situ or authigenic formation of calcium phosphate minerals in marine sediments is a major sink for the vital nutrient phosphorus. However, because typical sediment chemistry is not kinetically conducive to the precipitation of these minerals, the mechanism behind their formation has remained a fundamental mystery. Here, we present evidence from high-sensitivity x-ray and electrodialysis techniques to describe a mechanism by which abundant diatom-derived polyphosphates play a critical role in the formation of calcium phosphate minerals in marine sediments. This mechanism can explain the puzzlingly dispersed distribution of calcium phosphate minerals observed in marine sediments worldwide.
Diaz
Julia
J
School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0340, USA.
Ingall
Ellery
E
Benitez-Nelson
Claudia
C
Paterson
David
D
de Jonge
Martin D
MD
McNulty
Ian
I
Brandes
Jay A
JA
D001031:Apatites / Q000737:chemistry; D018533:Biomass; D017377:Diatoms / Q000737:chemistry*; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010140:Pacific Ocean; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000737:chemistry*; D011122:Polyphosphates / Q000737:chemistry*; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
D001031:Apatites; D011122:Polyphosphates; D010758:Phosphorus