Mangroves & Magnesium

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Important Background Information:

 

Magnesium Threads:

 

Magnesium ... the 411

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread...=&threadid=9269

 

More on Magnesium

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread...=&threadid=9527

 

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We were discussing Mg in the #nanoreef chat and ReefMatrix brought up a question on mangrove utilization of Mg. Here's some info that might be useful to any of you with mangroves in your refugiums and are having trouble with maintaining the desired alk/Ca/Mg concentrations.

 

http://www.s-t-m.co.uk/pages/mangroveinfo.htm

 

states:

"As one of their more strange abilities you will find that mangroves will utilise the Magnesium in the tank. They use this as part of their biological processes, to pass salt out through their leaves. This usage of magnesium in a heavily stocked tank may lead to a depletion of this element. Magnesium is often one of the elements in synthetic seawater that is lower than its natural equivalent. This can be for a number of reasons. Commercial salt makers often cut back on magnesium levels to produce a cheaper product. If Kalkwasser is being used especially in a new tank with sand substrate magnesium is often precipitated on to the gravel. Many elements in the saltwater will also precipitate given certain criteria, but magnesium is fairly common. "

 

a thread on RC:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/archive/84/2...2001/09/3/36262

 

discusses mangrove use of magnesium in a Mg/Na pump (i'm assuming to regulate osmotic pressure?) the discussion (RHF) seems to conclude with mangroves use of environmental Mg as "not a significant concern"

 

AZgardens (an online plant store)

http://www.azgardens.com/newterra.htm

 

makes the observation that without adequate levels of Mg, leaves will yellow. however, they do not state what these levels are, or what the consumption rate (against anything) is.

 

another RC thread

http://reefcentral.com/forums/archive/1/20...2001/09/2/37058

 

 

i decided to bust out my text books

 

stated in BIOLOGY: sixth ed. (Raven, Johnson):

There are nine macronutrients: carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen--the three elements found in all organic compounds--as well as nitrogen( essential for amino acids), potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium (the center of the chlorophyll molecule), and sulfer. Each of these nutrients approaches or, as in the case with carbon, may greatly exceed 1% of the dry weight of a healthy plant.

 

and confirmed in LIFE: the science of biology sixth ed

yeah so fact: magnesium essential in chloroplast construction. (why leaves lacking Mg yellow)

 

Julian Sprug in "A Guide to the Ecology and Care of Mangroves"

"..when growing Red Mangroves in a saltwater aquarium one should occasionally monitor the magnesium level since themangroves do remove some magnesium from the water. the magnesium level of full strength natural saltwater is approximately 1300 ppm. Mangroves will tolerate a decline in magnesium of at least 25% below natural seawater values at full strength specific gravity and tolerate even greater depletion of magnesium at lower specific gravity. when magnesium is depleated in the water, mangroves exhibit signs of salt stress..."

 

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so what was the point of all of that? just pointing out (because this is the 'fuge forum) that your mangroves are using some of your Mg reserves. also, just re-emphasizing the importance of Mg monitoring for anyone seriously concerned with their alk/Ca levels and health of their 'groves.

 

fingers cramped. bye.