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Updated: Oct 21, 2025
08:55
Expression, Solubilization, and Purification of Eukaryotic Borate Transporters
Published on: March 7, 2019
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Boron Isotope Analysis Reveals Borate Selectivity in Seaweeds
Carrie C Wright1, Kathleen M Wooton1, Katheryn C Twiss2
1Department of Geosciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, United States.
Environmental Science & Technology
|September 2, 2021
Summary
Marine seaweeds incorporate significant amounts of boron from seawater, as evidenced by large boron isotope offsets. This finding clarifies boron
Area of Science:
- Marine biology
- Plant physiology
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Boron's role in terrestrial plants is well-established, but its function in marine aquatic eukaryotes remains unclear.
- Boron is an essential micronutrient for plant growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of boron in marine aquatic eukaryotes, specifically seaweeds.
- To explore boron isotope fractionation in seaweeds and its implications for understanding boron uptake.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of boron isotopes in various seaweed species.
- Comparison of boron isotope signatures between seawater and seaweed tissues.
Main Results:
- A distinctive and large offset in boron isotopes was observed in seaweeds compared to seawater.
- This offset is consistent with the direct incorporation of borate from seawater into seaweed tissues.
- The boron isotope signature was independent of seaweed type and season.
Conclusions:
- Seaweeds actively incorporate boron from seawater, contributing to boron cycling in marine ecosystems.
- Understanding boron's role in primitive multicellular organisms like seaweeds provides insights into broader plant adaptations.
- Seaweed's role as a primary producer highlights its importance in transferring boron through marine food webs.
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