Experimental and natural cathodoluminescence in the shell of Crassostrea gigas from Thau lagoon (France): ecological and environmental implications

Type Article
Date 2006-06
Language English
Author(s) Langlet D1, Alunno-Bruscia MarianneORCID2, Rafelis M1, Renard M1, Roux M3, Schein E3, Buestel Dominique2
Affiliation(s) 1 : Univ Paris 06, CNRS, FRE 2400, F-75252 Paris 05, France.
2 : IFREMER, LCM, F-34200 Sete, France.
3 : Univ Reims, Lab Sci Terre, Ctr Rech Environm & Agron, CNRS,UMR 5561, F-51100 Reims, France.
Source Marine Ecology Progress Series (0171-8630) (Inter-Research), 2006-06 , Vol. 317 , P. 143-156
WOS© Times Cited 36
Keyword(s) Mediterranean lagoon, Manganese marking, Carbonate biomineraliation, Shell growth, Cathodoluminescence, Oyster
Abstract We present a cathodoluminescence (CL) study of growth layer deposition in the shell of the oyster Crassostrea gigas. CL is based on the physical properties of lattice-bound manganese (Mn2+), which is the main activator in calcium carbonate. Our study involved chemical marking by immersing individuals in seawater to which manganese chloride had been added, and subsequent reading of the shell with CL microscopy coupled with numeric treatment of microphotographs; CL emission was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope coupled to a spectrometer. Since the marking did not harm the oysters, repeated markings were possible, allowing validation of the inferences made from analysis of the shell rings. Oysters reared in a French Mediterranean lagoon (Thau lagoon) were marked in June and October 1999, i.e. at the beginning and end of the main shell growth period, respectively. In a few specimens sacrificed 24 h immediately after marking, we observed a bright marking line, suggesting rapid coprecipitation of Mn2+. In oysters collected from March to July 2000, we found 3 luminescent lines (with an emission peak at 620 nm peak) that corresponded to the 3 successive markings. The shells also exhibited weak background Mn2+-induced luminescence, which contrasted with the marking lines both in intensity and color. This background signal varied in intensity over time at 3 distinct scales, i.e. seasonal and daily scales plus an intermediate scale that might reflect tidal patterns. The luminescence intensity was clearly positively correlated with seawater temperature. We postulate that the temperature of the lagoon, combined with abiotic and biotic factors, may control both Mn2+ uptake by the bivalve through a stimulation of biomineralization processes, and Mn2+ bioavailability in water through biogeochemical processes. Our study confirmed the usefulness of Mn marking coupled with CL analysis to reveal (1) the complex functioning of the mantle epithelium with respect to carbonate deposition on a microscale, and (2) the relationship between the bivalve and its environment.
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Langlet D, Alunno-Bruscia Marianne, Rafelis M, Renard M, Roux M, Schein E, Buestel Dominique (2006). Experimental and natural cathodoluminescence in the shell of Crassostrea gigas from Thau lagoon (France): ecological and environmental implications. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 317, 143-156. Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/1979/