An Experimental Approach to Assessing the Roles of Magnesium, Calcium, and Carbonate Ratios in Marine Carbonates

Marine biomineralization is a globally important biological and geochemical process. Understanding the mechanisms controlling precipitation of calcium carbonate [CaCO3] within calcifying fluid marine organisms, such as corals, crustose coralline algae, foraminifera, presents one most elusive, yet relevant areas research, due to often-impenetrable ability measure process in situ. The CaCO3 assumed be largely controlled by saturation state [Ω] extracellular fluid. In this study, we mimicked typical pH Ω known for while varying magnesium, calcium, concentrations six chemo-static growth experiments, thereby mimicking various dissolved inorganic carbon concentration ionic movement into Reduced mineralization varied morphologies highlight inhibiting effect magnesium regardless suggests importance strong removal or mechanisms. respect ocean acidification studies, could allow an explanation why specific calcifiers respond differently lower states.