Marine Polyphosphate: A Key Player in Geologic Phosphorus Sequestration

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2008 · Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1151751· OSTI ID:980324

Diaz, J; Ingall, E; Benitez-Nelson, C; Paterson, D; de Jonge, M; McNulty, I; Brandes, J

The in situ or authigenic formation of calcium phosphate minerals in marine sediments is a major sink for the vital nutrient phosphorus. However, because typical sediment chemistry is not kinetically conducive to the precipitation of these minerals, the mechanism behind their formation has remained a fundamental mystery. Here, we present evidence from high-sensitivity x-ray and electrodialysis techniques to describe a mechanism by which abundant diatom-derived polyphosphates play a critical role in the formation of calcium phosphate minerals in marine sediments. This mechanism can explain the puzzlingly dispersed distribution of calcium phosphate minerals observed in marine sediments worldwide.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). National Synchrotron Light Source
• Sponsoring Organization: Doe - Office Of Science
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 980324
• Report Number(s): BNL-93242-2010-JA; SCEHDK; TRN: US201015%%1709
• Journal Information: Science, Vol. 320; ISSN 0193-4511
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CALCIUM PHOSPHATES
CHEMISTRY
DISTRIBUTION
ELECTRODIALYSIS
NUTRIENTS
PHOSPHORUS
PRECIPITATION
SEDIMENTS
national synchrotron light source