title: NO MECHANISTIC DEPENDENCE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS ON CALCIFICATION IN THE COCCOLITHOPHORID EMILIANIA HUXLEYI (HAPTOPHYTA)(1).
abstract: There is still considerable uncertainty about the relationship between calcification and photosynthesis. It has been suggested that since calcification in coccolithophorids is an intracellular process that releases CO2 , it enhances photosynthesis in a manner analogous to a carbon-concentrating mechanism (CCM). The ubiquitous, bloom-forming, and numerically abundant coccolithophorid Emiliania huxleyi (Lohmann) W. W. Hay et H. Mohler was studied in nutrient-replete, pH and [CO2 ] controlled, continuous cultures (turbidostats) under a range of [Ca(2+) ] from 0 to 9 mM. We examined the long-term, fully acclimated photosynthesis-light responses and analyzed the crystalline structure of the coccoliths using SEM. The E. huxleyi cells completely lost their coccosphere when grown in 0 [Ca(2+) ], while thin, undercalcified and brittle coccoliths were evident at 1 mM [Ca(2+) ]. Coccoliths showed increasing levels of calcification with increasing [Ca(2+) ]. More robust coccoliths were noted, with no discernable differences in coccolith morphology when the cells were grown in either 5 or 9 mM (ambient seawater) [Ca(2+) ]. In contrast to calcification, photosynthesis was not affected by the [Ca(2+) ] in the media. Cells showed no correlation of their light-dependent O2 evolution with [Ca(2+) ], and in all [Ca(2+) ]-containing turbidostats, there were no significant differences in growth rate. The results show unequivocally that as a process, photosynthesis in E. huxleyi is mechanistically independent from calcification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UKDepartment of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, California 92096, USASchool of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UKNatural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK.
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Leonardos
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UKDepartment of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, California 92096, USASchool of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UKNatural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK.
authors.forename: Betsy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Read
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UKDepartment of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, California 92096, USASchool of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UKNatural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK.
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Thake
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UKDepartment of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, California 92096, USASchool of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UKNatural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK.
authors.forename: Jeremy R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Young
keywords: CCM; Ca; Emiliania huxleyi; calcification; photosynthesis