Microfluidic manipulation of coccolithophore microalgae for in vivo biomineralization studies: impact of ocean acidification conditions on calcium carbonate formation – MICROCOCCO

Coccolithophore microalgae (CM) are one of largest producers of CaCO3 (coccolith shells) in our oceans. They are involved in several major biogeochemical cycles and are one of the main drivers of the global carbon pump that removes atmospheric CO2. The threat of ocean acidification (OA) has generated concern for how CM biomineralization will be affected, with some studies that assess the impact showing contradictory results. The lack of predictive power may stem from our limited knowledge of CM biomineralization itself. This proposal aims to probe CaCO3 biomineralization in situ by combining microfluidic devices to control media conditions and monitor individual cells with X-ray microscopy measurements capable of nanoscale elemental mapping of hydrated samples. With this approach, intracellular and extracellular chemical information related to ion uptake, storage and biomineral formation will advance our understanding of CM biomineralization and test the impact of OA conditions.