A synergetic biomineralization strategy for immobilizing strontium during calcification of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi.

The coccolithophore species Emiliania huxleyi has one of the most global distributions in the modern oceans. They are characteristically covered with calcite scales called coccoliths. In this study, stable strontium immobilization during the calcification process was investigated to indirectly assess a proposed bioremediation approach for removing Sr contamination from marine environments. Results indicate that E. huxleyi has high Sr tolerance and removal efficiency in response to Sr stress ranging from 5.6 to 105.6 ppm. Sr immobilization during E. huxleyi calcification indicates a concentration-dependent synergistic mechanism. At lower concentrations of Sr (25.6 ppm), Sr is incorporated into coccoliths through competitive supply between Sr and Ca. In addition, calcite productivity decreases with increased Sr removal efficiency due to crystallographic transformation of coccoliths from hydrated calcite into aragonite at 55.6 ppm Sr. Further formation of strontianite at 105.6 ppm Sr is due to precipitation of Sr on the edge of the rims and radial arrays of the coccoliths. Our study implies that coccolithophores are capable of significant removal of Sr from the marine environment.