How "photosynthetic" algae survived long periods of darkness

In a long-term experiment in the Bigelow Marine Science Laboratory, Jelena Godrijan measured Coccolithophores

More than 66 million years ago, the impact of an asteroid caused the extinction of nearly three-quarters of life on Earth

Like most algae, coccolith can undergo photosynthesis and use the energy of the sun to make food

As part of this new research, the team conducted laboratory experiments that showed that some coccoliths can survive without light

The first author of this paper, Jelena Godrijan (Jelena Godrijan) said: "We have always believed that algae are just photosynthetic organisms.

This study reveals how some species of coccolithus use previously unrecognized organic compounds as a carbon source instead of the carbon dioxide normally used by plants

The research was published in the journal "New Botanist" and was completed by two other researchers in Bigelow's laboratory.

Coccolith is indispensable in the process of controlling the global ocean and atmosphere, including the carbon cycle

"This is very important for the distribution of carbon dioxide on the earth," Balch said

Coccidia also plays an important role in alleviating ocean acidity, which can have a negative impact on organisms such as shellfish and corals

This new study reveals that algae also absorb carbon from previously undiscovered sources deep in the water column

"Coccidia is integrated into the global circulation in a way we have never imagined," Balch said

The researchers next want to conduct marine experiments to observe how coccolithophores absorb nutrients in the natural environment, especially in the dark

"Coccidia are very, very tiny creatures, but they have a huge impact on all life, and most people don't even realize it," Godrijan said

"Osmotrophy of dissolved organic carbon by coccolithophores in darkness" by Jelena Godrijan, David T.