X-ray microprobe analysis of chloragosomes of untreated and of EDTA-treated Lumbricus terrestris by using fresh air-dried smears.

The chloragosomes of Lumbricus terrestris were analysed by an electron microscope X-ray microphobe, using both air-dried smear preparations and conventional electron microscopic sections. In untreated worms the air-dried chloragosomes showed prominent peaks for Ca and P, distinct peaks for S and Zn, while Na, K, and Cl peaks were barely detectable. In air-dried smears the S peak was constantly more prominent than in EM sections, indicating that chloragosomes contain easily soluble S-compounds. By long-term CaNa2EDTA treatment of the worms, the Ca and P content of the chloragosomes could be significantly decreased, empirically proving, that the storage and mobilisation of chloragosomal Ca and P are closely related.