Reef Chemistry Question of the Day #203 Effect of Using Nitrate

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Reef Chemistry Question of the Day #203

Which of the following is not a possible consequence of the utilization of nitrate by a photosynthetic coral?

1. The coral uses the nitrogen in the nitrate to form phosphatidyl choline for its cell membranes
2. The alkalinity in the surrounding water ries
3. The coral uses the nitrogen in the nitrate to synthesize a protein
4. The coral releases a proton to the surrounding water

Good luck!





































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[Keiffer the reefer]

4

 

[madweazl]

I'm guessing 4.

 

[beaslbob]

oh boy a long awaited question of the day.


2

 

[reeferfoxx]

My guess is none of the above.

Edit: changing my guess to 2

 

[Mordwrath]

I do not believe the photosynthesis in the Coral would cause the Alkalinity to rise the surrounding water. The process of the Coral uptake of nutrients should not increase Alkalinity

 

[reeferfoxx]

I do not believe the photosynthesis in the Coral would cause the Alkalinity to rise the surrounding water. The process of the Coral uptake of nutrients should not increase Alkalinity

Correct. I was simply taking it further(in my mind) to complete depletion of nitrogen or nitrates. Either way, my initial thought process was incorrect.

 

[kresDFW]

I'm going with #2

 

[Mordwrath]

Looking deeper into studies done by Peter G Brewer and Joel C. Goldman demonstrated phytoplankton growth by NO3 uptake demonstrated a rise of Alkalinity. Where NO4 caused a drop in Alkalinity. So.. Now I'm not so sure as Randy specified it to Nitrate

 

[reeferfoxx]

Looking deeper into studies done by Peter G Brewer and Joel C. Goldman demonstrated phytoplankton growth by NO3 uptake demonstrated a rise of Alkalinity. Where NO4 caused a drop in Alkalinity. So.. Now I'm not so sure as Randy specified it to Nitrate

My confusion as well haha! I ran across that too. But photosynthetic coral uptake was specified. Not specific to reef organisms.

 

[Alfrareef]

2

 

[CNDReef]

2

 

[Hans-Werner]

4, the assimilation of NO3- only releases OH- and not H+, which makes 2

 

[bif24701]

#2. With my limited knowledge of detailed coral respiration chemistry.

 

[HereWeGoAgain]

4. It's gotta be 4. No?

 

[Flippers4pups]

2

 

[beaslbob]

oh boy a long awaited question of the day.


2

hopefully you folks aren't just following the first.

FWIW as I remember a long ago Dr Holmes-Farley article. as ammonia is reduced to nitrate alk (OH-) is consumed. Then as that nitrate is consume by macro algae, or through anaerobic bacteria. that alk is returned to the system.

I suppose corals consume nitrate would be like the macro.

But than we can't have beaslbob guessing one of these correctly.

 

[Ghxst]

no2= nitrite
No3=nitrate

4? Due to photosynth removing co2 effectively increasing alk. Although that is the opposite of what my tank is doing. Every feed my ph decreases but you already said that wasn't normal.

 

[Hans-Werner]

What is the correct answer to the question, please?

 

[Ghxst]

no2= nitrite
No3=nitrate

4? Due to photosynth removing co2 effectively increasing alk. Although that is the opposite of what my tank is doing. Every feed my ph decreases but you already said that wasn't normal.

Ahh my ph droop is due to the lights going off and the ph lowering is when being fed. I'll switch to 2.