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Minor and trace elements in skeletons of Arctic echinoderms.

A Iglikowska1, E Humphreys-Williams2, J Przytarska3

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Arctic echinoderm skeletons exhibit unique, species-specific trace element compositions, indicating biological control. However, some element concentrations reflect seawater levels, suggesting environmental influence on skeletal formation.

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Area of Science:

  • Marine Biology
  • Biogeochemistry
  • Echinodermata Research

Background:

  • Echinoderm skeletons are primarily composed of calcium carbonate.
  • The incorporation of minor and trace elements into marine invertebrate skeletons is influenced by both biological and environmental factors.
  • Understanding elemental composition in Arctic species is crucial due to unique environmental conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the ratios of minor and trace elements in the skeletons of five Arctic echinoderm species.
  • To determine the extent of biological versus environmental control on skeletal element incorporation.
  • To identify species-specific and environmentally influenced elemental signatures in Arctic echinoderms.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of skeletal element ratios (K/Ca, Na/Ca, P/Ca, S/Ca, Al/Ca, Ba/Ca, Fe/Ca, Mn/Ca, Zn/Ca) in five Arctic echinoderm species.
  • Comparison of skeletal elemental composition with known seawater elemental concentrations.
  • Statistical analysis to identify species-specific patterns and environmental correlations.

Main Results:

  • Arctic echinoderm skeletons display a unique, species-specific trace element composition.
  • Incorporation of trace elements into skeletons appears to be biologically controlled.
  • Concentrations of some minor elements correlate with seawater concentrations, indicating environmental control.
  • Specific elements (Al, Ba, Fe, Mg, Mn) showed station-specific variations, suggesting environmental shaping of metal accumulation.

Conclusions:

  • Skeletal element composition in Arctic echinoderms is a result of both biological selectivity and environmental availability.
  • Species-specific elemental signatures can serve as indicators of biological control mechanisms.
  • Environmental factors, particularly seawater elemental concentrations, significantly influence skeletal composition, especially for certain trace metals.
  • Arctic echinoderms integrate environmental signals into their skeletal structures, reflecting their adaptation to marine conditions.