Functional polarity of the tentacle of the sea anemone Anemonia viridis: role in inorganic carbon acquisition

1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (2) ◽  
pp. R303-R310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Furla ◽  
Sylvie Bénazet-Tambutté ◽  
Jean Jaubert ◽  
Denis Allemand

The oral epithelial layers of anthozoans have a polarized morphology: photosynthetic endosymbionts live within endodermal cells facing the coelenteric cavity and are separated from the external seawater by the ectodermal layer and the mesoglea. To study if this morphology plays a role in the supply of inorganic carbon for symbiont photosynthesis, we measured the change in pH and the rate of OH−(H+) fluxes induced by each cell layer on a tentacle of the sea anemone Anemonia viridis. Light-induced pH increase of the medium bathing the endodermal layers led to the generation of a transepithelial pH gradient of ∼0.8 pH units across the tentacle, whereas darkness induced acidification of this medium. The light-induced pH change was associated with an increase of total alkalinity. Only the endodermal layer was able to induce a net OH− secretion (H+ absorption). The light-induced OH− secretion by the endodermal cell layer was dependent on the presence of[Formula: see text] in the compartment facing the ectoderm and was sensitive to several inhibitors of ion transport. [14C][Formula: see text]incorporation into photosynthates confirmed the ectodermal supply, the extent of which varied from 25 to >90%, according to[Formula: see text] availability. Our results suggest that the light-induced OH−secretion by the endodermal cell layer followed the polarized transport of [Formula: see text] and its subsequent decarboxylation within the endodermal cell layer. This polarity may play a significant role both in inorganic carbon absorption and in the control of light-enhanced calcification in scleractinian corals.

1996 ◽  
Vol 199 (4) ◽  
pp. 883-892
Author(s):  
V M Weis ◽  
R P Levine

Mutualistic associations are prevalent in virtually all environments yet relatively little is known about their complex biochemical and molecular integration and regulation. The endosymbiosis between cnidarians such as the sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima and the photosynthetic dinoflagellate Symbiodinium californium, in which the algal symbionts are housed in vacuoles within animal endodermal cells, is an ideal model for the study of highly integrated associations at the biochemical and molecular levels. This study describes differential protein synthesis between symbiotic A. elegantissima, collected from environments with high levels of light in the intertidal zone and A. elegantissima that naturally lack symbionts (aposymbiotic), collected from nearby deep-shade habitats. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis profiles of both steady-state and newly synthesized proteins were compared between the two types of animals using scanning densitometry and image analysis. Symbiotic and aposymbiotic animals share a majority of proteins; however, striking differences in several abundant proteins in steady-state profiles occur. Two proteins are unique to symbiotic animals, one at 32 kDa with an isoelectric point (pI) of 7.9 and another at 31 kDa, pI 6.3. Levels of six proteins with an apparent molecular mass of 25 kDa and pI values ranging from 4.8 to 5.5 are greatly enhanced in aposymbiotic animals. Furthermore, profiles of newly synthesized proteins from symbiotic animals contain a unique cluster of proteins ranging from 25 to 30 kDa and pI 6.6 to 6.9. These marked differences in protein profiles must be a reflection either of underlying differences in the regulation of gene expression or in post-translational modification of common proteins. Identifying the symbiosis-specific products present in A. elegantissima and identifying the inter-partner signaling and cues that result in differential expression will provide an insight into the understanding of these highly integrated associations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (16) ◽  
pp. 5221-5236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thibaut Wagener ◽  
Nicolas Metzl ◽  
Mathieu Caffin ◽  
Jonathan Fin ◽  
Sandra Helias Nunige ◽  
...  

Abstract. The western tropical South Pacific was sampled along a longitudinal 4000 km transect (OUTPACE cruise, 18 February, 3 April 2015) for the measurement of carbonate parameters (total alkalinity and total inorganic carbon) between the Melanesian Archipelago (MA) and the western part of the South Pacific gyre (WGY). This paper reports this new dataset and derived properties: pH on the total scale (pHT) and the CaCO3 saturation state with respect to aragonite (Ωara). We also estimate anthropogenic carbon (CANT) distribution in the water column using the TrOCA method (Tracer combining Oxygen, inorganic Carbon and total Alkalinity). Along the OUTPACE transect a deeper penetration of CANT in the intermediate waters was observed in the MA, whereas highest CANT concentrations were detected in the subsurface waters of the WGY. By combining our OUTPACE dataset with data available in GLODAPv2 (1974–2009), temporal changes in oceanic inorganic carbon were evaluated. An increase of 1.3 to 1.6 µmol kg−1 a−1 for total inorganic carbon in the upper thermocline waters is estimated, whereas CANT increases by 1.1 to 1.2 µmol kg−1 a−1. In the MA intermediate waters (27 kg m−3 <σθ<27.2 kg m−3) an increase of 0.4 µmol kg−1 a−1 CANT is detected. Our results suggest a clear progression of ocean acidification in the western tropical South Pacific with a decrease in the oceanic pHT of up to −0.0027 a−1 and a shoaling of the saturation depth for aragonite of up to 200 m since the pre-industrial period.


2012 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalit Meron ◽  
Maria-Cristina Buia ◽  
Maoz Fine ◽  
Ehud Banin

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacoba Mol ◽  
Helmuth Thomas ◽  
Paul G. Myers ◽  
Xianmin Hu ◽  
Alfonso Mucci

Abstract. The Mackenzie Shelf in the southeastern Beaufort Sea is a region that has experienced large changes in the past several decades as warming, sea-ice loss, and increased river discharge have altered carbon cycling. Upwelling and downwelling events are common on the shelf, caused by strong, fluctuating along-shore winds, resulting in cross-shelf Ekman transport, and an alternating estuarine and anti-estuarine circulation. Downwelling carries inorganic carbon and other remineralization products off the shelf and into the deep basin for possible long-term storage in the world oceans. Upwelling carries dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and nutrient-rich waters from the Pacific-origin upper halocline layer (UHL) onto the shelf. Profiles of DIC and total alkalinity (TA) taken in August and September of 2014 are used to investigate the cycling of inorganic carbon on the Mackenzie Shelf. The along-shore transport of water and the cross-shelf transport of inorganic carbon are quantified using velocity field output from a simulation of the Arctic and Northern Hemisphere Atlantic (ANHA4) configuration of the Nucleus of European Modelling of the Ocean (NEMO) framework. A strong upwelling event prior to sampling on the Mackenzie Shelf is analyzed and the resulting influence on the carbonate system, including the saturation state of waters with respect to aragonite and pH, is investigated. TA and the oxygen isotope ratio of water (δ18O) are used to examine water-mass distributions in the study area and to investigate the influence of Pacific Water, Mackenzie River freshwater, and sea-ice melt on carbon dynamics and air-sea fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the surface mixed layer. Understanding carbon transfer in this seasonally dynamic environment is key to quantify the importance of Arctic shelf regions to the global carbon cycle and provide a basis for understanding how it will respond to the aforementioned climate-induced changes.


Toxins ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Ainara Ballesteros ◽  
Janire Salazar ◽  
Macarena Marambio ◽  
José Tena ◽  
José Rafael García-March ◽  
...  

Anemonia viridis is an abundant and widely distributed temperate sea anemone that can form dense congregations of individuals. Despite the potential severity of its sting, few detailed cases have been reported. We report a case of a severe toxic reaction following an A. viridis sting in a 35-year-old oceanographer. She developed severe pain, itching, redness, and burning sensation, which worsened one week after treatment with anti-inflammatories, antihistamines and corticosteroids. Prompted by this event, and due to the insufficient risk prevention, lack of training for marine-environment users, and lack of research into sting-specific first-aid protocols, we evaluated the cnidocyst response to five different compounds commonly recommended as rinse solutions in first-aid protocols (seawater, vinegar, ammonia, baking soda, and freshwater) by means of the Tentacle Solution Assay. Vinegar and ammonia triggered an immediate and massive cnidocyst discharge after their application and were classified as activator solutions. Baking soda and freshwater were also classified as activator solutions, although with a lower intensity of discharge. Only seawater was classified as a neutral solution and therefore recommended as a rinse solution after A. viridis sting, at least until an inhibitory solution is discovered.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Bold ◽  
Justus E.E. van Beusekom ◽  
Yoana G. Voynova ◽  
Marius Cysewski ◽  
Bryce Van Dam ◽  
...  

&lt;p&gt;Estuaries are crucial in transforming matter fluxes from land to sea. To better understand and quantify these processes and respective fluxes, it is important to determine the input into an estuary accurately. To allow for such studies in the Elbe estuary in Germany, a state-of-the-art research platform is currently being set-up just upstream of the weir in Geesthacht at the entrance of the estuary. Here, we report on small-scale spatial dynamics of organic matter and associated processes from several cross and longitudinal profiles around the planned location and the implications for the set-up of the aforementioned research platform.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Based on preliminary data obtained in August 2020 during a period of relatively low discharge, we present the following results: (1) In three cross profiles along a 10 km transect of the Elbe upstream of the weir, we observed considerable small-scale gradients regarding currents and various biogeochemical parameters. In comparison to the fairway, water from the riverbanks was depleted in suspended particulate matter, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen, and nitrate, and enhanced in ammonium, phosphate and silicate, as well as total alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon paralleled by decreasing pH. This suggests that in the summer, organic matter is deposited and remineralised at the riverbanks, resulting in the release of ammonium, phosphate and silicate, and in the removal of nitrate, presumably by denitrification. (2) Along the 10 km transect towards the weir, we observed that concentrations of suspended particulate matter, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen, nitrate and pH were decreasing. In contrast, we found that ammonium, phosphate and silicate, total alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon increased towards the weir. This suggests an increased sedimentation and subsequent remineralisation due to the reduced flow velocities in front of the weir. (3) An analysis of a 10-year time series from the weir supports this by showing higher ammonium concentrations when discharges were relatively low. The implications of these findings for the set-up of the research platform in this area, as well as for optimising estimates of budgets are discussed. The research platform will contribute to understand further such variations in biogeochemical parameters at the entrance of the Elbe estuary over time.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The research platform is set-up in cooperation with the Helmholtz initiative MOSES (&amp;#8220;Modular Observation Solutions for Earth Systems&amp;#8220;) and will be incorporated in the Elbe-North Sea Supersite of DANUBIUS-RI (&amp;#8220;International Centre for Advanced Studies on River-Sea Systems&amp;#8220;). Funding is provided by European Regional Development Funds, the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, the Helmholtz Association and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht. The research platform, planned to be operational in autumn 2021, will also be open for users e.g. to develop and test new methods and technologies. Data will be made available through the &amp;#8220;Helmholtz Coastal Data Centre&amp;#8221; (HCDC).&lt;/p&gt;


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