Mg-rich amorphous to Mg-low crystalline CaCO 3 pathway in foraminifera.

Calcium carbonate minerals produced by marine organisms play a central role in the global carbon cycle and carbonate sedimentation, which influence the climate by regulating atmospheric CO ₂ levels. Foraminifera are important marine single-celled organisms that have produced calcite shells for over 300 million years. Here, we present new observations promoting our understanding for foraminiferal biocalcification by studying Amphistegina lessonii . We integrated in vivo confocal autofluorescence and dye fluorescence imaging with elemental analysis of the cell supporting the concept that the calcite shells of foraminifera are produced via deposition of intracellularly formed Mg-rich amorphous calcium carbonate (Mg-ACC) particles that transform into a stable mineral phase. This process is likely accompanied by the activity of endosymbiotic microalgae and seawater-derived endocytic vesicles that provide calcification substrates such as DIC, Ca ²⁺ , and Mg ²⁺ . The final transformation of semi-liquid amorphous nanoparticles into a crystalline shell was associated with Mg ²⁺ liberation.
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
(© 2023 The Authors.)