Calcium cycle
The marine calcium cycle is affected by changing atmospheric carbon dioxide due to ocean acidification.
[8] Rocks slowly dissolve by physical and chemical processes, carrying calcium ions into rivers and oceans.
[7] Dead organisms sink to the bottom of the ocean, depositing layers of shell which over time cement to form limestone.
As carbon dioxide emissions continually increase and accumulate, this will negatively affect the lives of many marine ecosystems.
The calcium carbonate used to form many marine organisms' exoskeletons will begin to break down, leaving these animals vulnerable and unable to live in their habitats.
[15] For example, one study found that calcium levels have decreased between 25 and 50 percent over a 40 million year timespan, suggesting that dissolved Ca2+outputs have exceeded its inputs.
Declines in the isotope Calcium-44 usually correlate with periods of cooling, as dissolution of calcium carbonate typically signifies a decrease in temperature.
This allows for calcium use throughout the body, namely in bone growth, cellular signalling, blood clotting, muscle contraction and neuron function.
[18][19] Calcium is one of the essential components of bone, contributing to its strength and structure in addition to being the main site at which it is stored within the body.
Without the presence of calcium ions, the release of neurotransmitters would not occur, preventing signals from being sent and hindering body processes.
Excess calcium then promotes the release of calcitonin from the thyroid gland, effectively reversing the process of PTH.
This reaction is more readily available with smaller particles of limestone than it is with large pieces of rock due to the increased surface area.
[25] Additionally, the release of calcium ions enables microorganisms to access phosphorus and other micro nutrients with greater ease, improving the soil ecosystem drastically thus indirectly promoting plant growth and nutrition.
Purification of iron ore and aluminium, replacing asbestos brake linings and some coatings for electric cables, are some of these major uses of calcium.
Furthermore, calcium is used within the household to maintain alkaline pH of swimming pools, counteracting acidic disinfectants and in the food production industry to produce bicarbonate soda, some wines and dough.
As more limestone and water is removed from mines, underground stores of rock are often weakened making the ground more susceptible to sink holes.
[31] Tracking calcium isotopes enables the prediction of environmental changes, with many sources suggesting increasing temperatures in both the atmosphere and marine environment.
Due to the complex interactions of calcium with many facets of life, the effects of altered environmental conditions are unlikely to be known until they occur.
Increasing carbon dioxide levels and decreasing ocean pH will alter calcium solubility, preventing corals and shelled organisms from developing their calcium-based exoskeletons, thus making them vulnerable or unable to survive.
