scholarly journals Ocean acidification alters properties of the exoskeleton in adult Tanner crabs, Chionoecetes bairdi

2021 ◽  
Vol 224 (3) ◽  
pp. jeb232819
Author(s):  
Gary H. Dickinson ◽  
Shai Bejerano ◽  
Trina Salvador ◽  
Christine Makdisi ◽  
Shrey Patel ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTOcean acidification can affect the ability of calcifying organisms to build and maintain mineralized tissue. In decapod crustaceans, the exoskeleton is a multilayered structure composed of chitin, protein and mineral, predominately magnesian calcite or amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC). We investigated the effects of acidification on the exoskeleton of mature (post-terminal-molt) female southern Tanner crabs, Chionoecetes bairdi. Crabs were exposed to one of three pH levels – 8.1, 7.8 or 7.5 – for 2 years. Reduced pH led to a suite of body region-specific effects on the exoskeleton. Microhardness of the claw was 38% lower in crabs at pH 7.5 compared with those at pH 8.1, but carapace microhardness was unaffected by pH. In contrast, reduced pH altered elemental content in the carapace (reduced calcium, increased magnesium), but not the claw. Diminished structural integrity and thinning of the exoskeleton were observed at reduced pH in both body regions; internal erosion of the carapace was present in most crabs at pH 7.5, and the claws of these crabs showed substantial external erosion, with tooth-like denticles nearly or completely worn away. Using infrared spectroscopy, we observed a shift in the phase of calcium carbonate present in the carapace of pH 7.5 crabs: a mix of ACC and calcite was found in the carapace of crabs at pH 8.1, whereas the bulk of calcium carbonate had transformed to calcite in pH 7.5 crabs. With limited capacity for repair, the exoskeleton of long-lived crabs that undergo a terminal molt, such as C. bairdi, may be especially susceptible to ocean acidification.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michika Sawada ◽  
Kandi Sridhar ◽  
Yasuharu Kanda ◽  
Shinya Yamanaka

AbstractWe report a synthesis strategy for pure hydroxyapatite (HAp) using an amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) colloid as the starting source. Room-temperature phosphorylation and subsequent calcination produce pure HAp via intermediate amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). The pre-calcined sample undergoes a competitive transformation from ACC to ACP and crystalline calcium carbonate. The water content, ACC concentration, Ca/P molar ratio, and pH during the phosphorylation reaction play crucial roles in the final phase of the crystalline phosphate compound. Pure HAp is formed after ACP is transformed from ACC at a low concentration (1 wt%) of ACC colloid (1.71 < Ca/P < 1.88), whereas Ca/P = 1.51 leads to pure β-tricalcium phosphate. The ACP phases are precursors for calcium phosphate compounds and may determine the final crystalline phase.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
František Vejmělka ◽  
Jan Okrouhlík ◽  
Matěj Lövy ◽  
Gabriel Šaffa ◽  
Eviatar Nevo ◽  
...  

AbstractThe relatively warm and very humid environment of burrows presents a challenge for thermoregulation of its mammalian inhabitants. It was found that African mole-rats dissipate body heat mainly through their venter, and social mole-rats dissipate more body heat compared to solitary species at lower temperatures. In addition, the pattern of the ventral surface temperature was suggested to be homogeneous in social mole-rats compared to a heterogeneous pattern in solitary mole-rats. To investigate this for subterranean rodents generally, we measured the surface temperatures of seven species with different degrees of sociality, phylogeny, and climate using infrared thermography. In all species, heat dissipation occurred mainly through the venter and the feet. Whereas the feet dissipated body heat at higher ambient temperatures and conserved it at lower ambient temperatures, the ventral surface temperature was relatively high in all temperatures indicating that heat dissipation to the environment through this body region is regulated mainly by behavioural means. Solitary species dissipated less heat through their dorsum than social species, and a tendency for this pattern was observed for the venter. The pattern of heterogeneity of surface temperature through the venter was not related to sociality of the various species. Our results demonstrate a general pattern of body heat exchange through the three studied body regions in subterranean rodents. Besides, isolated individuals of social species are less able to defend themselves against low ambient temperatures, which may handicap them if staying alone for a longer period, such as during and after dispersal events.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1900922 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Lauer ◽  
Sebastian Haußmann ◽  
Patrick Schmidt ◽  
Carolin Fischer ◽  
Doreen Rapp ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 494-503
Author(s):  
Ekarat Sombatsawat ◽  
Titaporn Luangwilai ◽  
Parichat Ong-artborirak ◽  
Wattasit Siriwong

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and determine factors influencing MSDs among rice farmers. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional study was carried out among 156 rice farmers from 14 villages in Tarnlalord sub-district, Phimai district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, from February 2017 to March 2017. Face-to-face interviews, including demographics, work characteristics and musculoskeletal pain, were conducted using a modified standardized Nordic questionnaire. Findings The results revealed that both 78 males and 78 females participated in the study to which the average of age and body mass index (BMI) was 45.5±11.4 years and 24.9±4.0 kg/m2, respectively. All rice farmers reported MSDs in at least one body region during the six months preceding the interview. The highest prevalence of MSDs showed 86.5 percent in the lower back area, followed by 85.9 percent in the neck, and 80.7 percent in the shoulders. The analysis of binary logistic regression and Spearman’s rank correlation showed that factors such as gender, age, BMI, work experience and farm size influence MSDs’ occurrence, and pain severity in one or more body regions (p < 0.05). Originality/value Musculoskeletal injuries are a significant health problem in rice farmers. The study indicated that appropriate agricultural practices such as working posture, equipment size selection and carrying loads should be recommended to prevent MSDs. Thus, the occupational health and safety services in agricultural workers are needed.


2008 ◽  
Vol 105 (45) ◽  
pp. 17362-17366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Politi ◽  
R. A. Metzler ◽  
M. Abrecht ◽  
B. Gilbert ◽  
F. H. Wilt ◽  
...  

1997 ◽  
Vol 264 (1380) ◽  
pp. 461-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elia Beniash ◽  
Joanna Aizenberg ◽  
Lia Addadi ◽  
Stephen Weiner

2008 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 227-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. I. Briones ◽  
E. López ◽  
J. Méndez ◽  
J. B. Rodríguez ◽  
L. Gago-Duport

AbstractThe earthworm calciferous gland produces a concentrated suspension of calcium carbonate and in certain species precipitates as concretions of CaCO3, which then enter the soil. Here we investigated the initial stages of CaCO3 formation in the earthworm Lumbricus friendi by means of Fourier transform infrared and electron microscopy techniques (field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high resolution electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction). In addition, comparisons between the IR spectra of the water-dissolved carbonic anhydrase (CA) and the glandular secretion (‘milky fluid’) were performed in order to investigate the mechanisms involved in CaCO3 precipitation. Our results strongly suggest that carbonation starts with the dissolved CO2, which is transformed via deprotonation to HCO3-, then to CO32- and finally to amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC). While ACC stabilization takes place under the biological control, further transformation stages leading to calcite concretions seem to be inorganically driven by an Ostwald ripening process.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. eaau6252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yao Guo ◽  
Weixuan Zhang ◽  
Hanchun Wu ◽  
Junfeng Han ◽  
Yongliang Zhang ◽  
...  

The edges of layered materials have unique properties that substantially differ from the body regions. In this work, we perform a systematic Raman study of the edges of various layered materials (MoS2, WS2, WSe2, PtS2, and black phosphorus). The Raman spectra of the edges feature newly observed forbidden Raman modes, which are originally undetectable from the body region. By selecting the edge type and the polarization directions of the incident and scattered light, all forbidden Raman modes are distinctly detected. Optical simulations show that the edges of layered materials drastically distort the electromagnetic fields of both the incident and scattered light, so that the light interacts with the edges in a distinct way, which differs from its interactions with the body regions.


2013 ◽  
Vol 453 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingtan Su ◽  
Xiao Liang ◽  
Qiang Zhou ◽  
Guiyou Zhang ◽  
Hongzhong Wang ◽  
...  

ACC (amorphous calcium carbonate) plays an important role in biomineralization process for its function as a precursor for calcium carbonate biominerals. However, it is unclear how biomacromolecules regulate the formation of ACC precursor in vivo. In the present study, we used biochemical experiments coupled with bioinformatics approaches to explore the mechanisms of ACC formation controlled by ACCBP (ACC-binding protein). Size-exclusion chromatography, chemical cross-linking experiments and negative staining electron microscopy reveal that ACCBP is a decamer composed of two adjacent pentamers. Sequence analyses and fluorescence quenching results indicate that ACCBP contains two Ca2+-binding sites. The results of in vitro crystallization experiments suggest that one Ca2+-binding site is critical for ACC formation and the other site affects the ACC induction efficiency. Homology modelling demonstrates that the Ca2+-binding sites of pentameric ACCBP are arranged in a 5-fold symmetry, which is the structural basis for ACC formation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the structural basis for protein-induced ACC formation and it will significantly improve our understanding of the amorphous precursor pathway.


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