Can corals directly consume phosphorus and nitrogen?

[Miami Reef]

I saw this discussion in a thread, and I’d like to get some facts.

This is a quote from the thread:

They do not directly consume elemental nitrogen or phosphorus. They (and/or their symbionts) consume ammonium and nitrate, and phosphate. They metabolize those into nitrogen and phosphorus.

Here’s what someone said as a response:

Correction: corals consume both phosphorus and nitrogen.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The first quote is ambiguous since the word elemental implies things the author likely didn’t mean, but when taken literally, is true. Elemental phosphorus is simply P. It is unstable in water and some forms burn in water. Look up white phosphorus and red phosphorus for more.

Corals can take up inorganic phosphate. They can also take up some organic phosphates.

Elemental N generally means N2 (nitrogen gas). Corals cannot take it up.

Corals can take up other forms of N such as urea, ammonia, and nitrate. They can also take up many organic forms such as amino acids.

 

[Borat]

The only animal that is capable of eating phosphorus is probably godzilla..

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The only animal that is capable of eating phosphorus is probably godzilla..

Dragons probably can as well, though there are few studies published in reputable journals. lol

 

[F i s h y]

https://reefbuilders.com/tag/coral-growth/

 

[Dburr1014]

Dragons probably can as well, though there are few studies published in reputable journals. lol

King Kong too, no?

 

[Reefing_addiction]

https://reefbuilders.com/tag/coral-growth/

Hi!!!

 

[Reefing_addiction]

https://reefbuilders.com/tag/coral-growth/

Now to read all the interesting articles- even the scientific one linked!

 

[F i s h y]

Now to read all the interesting articles- even the scientific one linked!

I spend way more time on Reef Builders at work than i probably should ;)

 

[Reefing_addiction]

I spend way more time on Reef Builders at work than i probably should ;)

Probably better than spending at sales events!

 

[Dburr1014]

I spend way more time on Reef Builders at work than i probably should ;)

Yup, lunch is over and I'm here responding to you.

 

[Formulator]

The first quote is ambiguous since the word elemental implies things the author likely didn’t mean, but when taken literally, is true. Elemental phosphorus is simply P. It is unstable in water and some forms burn in water. Look up white phosphorus and red phosphorus for more.

Corals can take up inorganic phosphate. They can also take up some organic phosphates.

Elemental N generally means N2 (nitrogen gas). Corals cannot take it up.

Corals can take up other forms of N such as urea, ammonia, and nitrate. They can also take up many organic forms such as amino acids.

To add more context, I first stated that corals consume nitrate and phosphate, then was corrected by eyore who said they consume nitrogen and phosphorus, to which i rebutted, no they do not consume elemental phosphorus and nitrogen… Then I got some eyeroll gif from her and got angry LOL.

So the order of the quotes in the first post here is flip flopped. Anyways, it is an interesting topic.

 

[PharmrJohn]

King Kong too, no?

And don't forget that BIG turtle that spins and shoots fire (or is it just sparks?) from its shell!

Gamera!!!! That's its name!

 

[Miami Reef]

So the order of the quotes in the first post here is flip flopped.

I apologize. I wasn’t going to include the 2nd quote, but later thought it would add more context. I forgot which was said first because they both seem to be in response to each other.

My apologies.

I was in the waiting room at my parrot’s vet, so I was rushing on making this post.

 

[Formulator]

I apologize. I wasn’t going to include the 2nd quote, but later thought it would add more context. I forgot which was said first because they both seem to be in response to each other.

My apologies.

I was in the waiting room at my parrot’s vet, so I was rushing on making this post.

All is good!

 

[Reefing_addiction]

I apologize. I wasn’t going to include the 2nd quote, but later thought it would add more context. I forgot which was said first because they both seem to be in response to each other.

My apologies.

I was in the waiting room at my parrot’s vet, so I was rushing on making this post.

How is the parrot who is planning world domination???

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

The first quote is ambiguous since the word elemental implies things the author likely didn’t mean, but when taken literally, is true. Elemental phosphorus is simply P. It is unstable in water and some forms burn in water. Look up white phosphorus and red phosphorus for more.

Corals can take up inorganic phosphate. They can also take up some organic phosphates.

Elemental N generally means N2 (nitrogen gas). Corals cannot take it up.

Corals can take up other forms of N such as urea, ammonia, and nitrate. They can also take up many organic forms such as amino acids.

*First, I have only read through post #2, which I am replying to.

I will clarify my comment:
As Randy stated above, I meant the elements nitrogen and phosphorus, which are found in a variety of molecules (although I was not specifying nitrogen gas). I'm sorry the other poster got upset with my correction of his post, but - as a self-proclaimed scientist-, I'm sure he can appreciate that his comment was imprecise in the context of the original thread.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

*First, I have only read through post #2, which I am replying to.

I will clarify my comment:
As Randy stated above, I meant the elements nitrogen and phosphorus, which are found in a variety of molecules (although I was not specifying nitrogen gas). I'm sorry the other poster got upset with my correction of his post, but - as a self-proclaimed scientist-, I'm sure he can appreciate that his comment was imprecise in the context of the original thread.

Oh, and @Miami Reef , you misrepresented what I replied to.

 

[Formulator]

*First, I have only read through post #2, which I am replying to.

I will clarify my comment:
As Randy stated above, I meant the elements nitrogen and phosphorus, which are found in a variety of molecules (although I was not specifying nitrogen gas). I'm sorry the other poster got upset with my correction of his post, but - as a self-proclaimed scientist-, I'm sure he can appreciate that his comment was imprecise in the context of the original thread.

I wasn’t upset by anything until the sarcastic GIF came along. But I will also admit that I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning and you caught me having a moment. I’m sorry for blowing up on you. But just for the record, I really am a scientist…professionally. Part of being one is admitting when you are wrong. In this case, I behaved poorly and was wrong. Truce?

 

[Miami Reef]

Oh, and @Miami Reef , you misrepresented what I replied to.

You’re not making much of a case for yourself…