Coral Calcifying Fluid pH (Indicated by δ11B) and Skeletal Sr/Ca in Coral Skeletons

We have produced a high spatial resolution SIMS record of Sr/Ca and δ11B across ~ 1 year of a modern Porites lobata coral from Hawaii. We used skeletal δ11B to estimate the calcifying fluid pH at the time of calcification and have correlated δ11B with Sr/Ca. Our data indicate that Sr/Ca and calcification site pH are inversely correlated at high pH. This is consistent with the model for the role of the enzyme Ca-ATPase in calcification. During periods of rapid calcification e.g. under optimal light conditions, Ca-ATPase activity is high, Ca2+ is rapidly pumped to the calcification site and H+ is extruded resulting in a high pH in the calcifying fluid. Sr is either not transported by the enzyme or is transported less efficiently than Ca and the Sr/Ca of the calcifying fluid is effectively reduced. However the relationship between Sr/Ca and δ11B is not observed over the lower pH range. It is reasonable to assume that calcification is slower at these low pHs and it is possible that the contribution of Ca-ATPase to Ca transport is negligible under these conditions. We observe significant Sr/Ca heterogeneity in regions of the skeletons deposited at both high and low pH and observe a large range in Sr/Ca (>0.5mmol mol-1) deposited at any single pH value. This indicates that skeletal Sr/Ca heterogeneity is generated by other processes besides the activity of Ca-ATPase. The role of other Ca (and Sr) transport processes in generating this heterogeneity remains to be resolved.