The mechanism SPS use to tolerate nitrates

evolved · May 20, 2013

Source: Microbes capture, store, and release nitrogen to feed reef-building coral

Microscopic algae that live within reef-forming corals scoop up available nitrogen, store the excess in crystal form, and slowly feed it to the coral as needed, according to a study published in mBio®, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology. Scientists have known for years that these symbiotic microorganisms serve up nitrogen to their coral hosts, but this new study sheds light on the dynamics of the process and reveals that the algae have the ability to store excess nitrogen, a capability that could help corals cope in their chronically low-nitrogen environment.
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Like all reef-forming corals, the species they studied, Pocillopora damicornis, is actually a symbiosis of two different organisms: the coral provides protection to a species of photosynthetic algae called dinoflagellates, which, in turn, provide sugars and nitrogen to the coral host. The symbiosis allows the coral to thrive in clear, tropical waters that are naturally nutrient-poor.
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When supplied with nitrogen in the form of ammonium, nitrate or aspartic acid the dinoflagellates responded by rapidly storing the nitrogen as crystals of uric acid within its cells. But the dinoflagellates don't hang onto the nitrogen for long. Starting at about six hours after exposure, the microbes begin translocating nitrogen-rich compounds to the coral host, where the nitrogen is used in specific cellular compartments all over the surface layers of the coral.
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Source: Corals turn to algae for stored food when times get tough

The research revealed that the corals depend strongly on the algae to extract sufficient nutrients from the water. This was particularly true when the corals were exposed to nitrate, a compound that they are unable to process and assimilate on their own.
But most interestingly, the scientists observed that the algae act as tiny food banks. Their images revealed that the algae temporarily store the nitrogen in the form of uric acid crystals – a fact they later confirmed using crystallographic analysis. This way, the algae can stock up on nutrients when supply is abundant and draw on them when supply drops, leaching some out to their coral host.
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ingtar_shinowa · May 20, 2013

nice find

evolved · May 20, 2013

A bit more fuel to the fire that ULNS aren't necessarily a good thing.

I'll keep striving for trace levels.

FaceOfDeceit · May 20, 2013

Very cool stuff Hunter!

barbianj · May 20, 2013

Veeery interesting.

Frick · May 22, 2013

Good read. Hopefully it will be able to be calculated to each species/algae what are the perfect ratios. One day.

Todd_Sails · May 22, 2013

Uric Acid Crystals?

They're going to get GOUT! (In Animals like humans- this causes gout in the joints)

Nice read, thanks for sharing

pgoodsell · May 22, 2013

Todd_Sails said: ↑

Uric Acid Crystals?

They're going to get GOUT! (In Animals like humans- this causes gout in the joints)

Nice read, thanks for sharing
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My friend has it, so this made me laugh.

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The mechanism SPS use to tolerate nitrates

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evolved Wrasse Freak

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The mechanism SPS use to tolerate nitrates

evolved Wrasse Freak

ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

evolved Wrasse Freak

FaceOfDeceit Hockey Beard

barbianj Hammer Head Shark

Frick Bristle Worm

Todd_Sails Giant Squid

pgoodsell Horrid Stonefish

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