Nutrient recycling and the stoichiometric relationship among C, N, and P in Paleozoic anoxic sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuite, M. L., Jr.

2016-12-01

Remineralized organic N and P diffused into the water column from underlying anoxic sediments were important sources of macronutrients for primary production in shallow Paleozoic epicontinental seas. Ratios of total organic C to total N or P in ancient sediments that are greater than Redfield-like values are often cited as evidence for macronutrient recycling. We propose that the stoichiometric relationship among C, N, and P in anoxic Paleozoic sediments was mediated primarily by heterotrophic bacterial alkaline phosphatases. Bacterial heterotrophy in organic-rich anaerobic sediments is frequently limited by the availability of labile (low C/N) organic matter. In response, bacterial heterotrophs invest scarce C and N to produce alkaline phosphatases in order to alleviate labile organic matter limitation by hydrolysis of organophosphates. This suggests that sediment organic C/N may represent a threshold beyond which the investment of intracellular C and N in the production of alkaline phosphatase no longer results in a stoichiometrically favorable return on the investment. If this is the case, then C/P likely represents the point in the diagenesis of organic matter at which the effectiveness of alkaline phosphatase in procuring labile organic matter by remineralization of P is constrained by the lability of the organic matter itself. Because alkaline phosphatase activity is expressed in inverse proportion to the porewater concentration of phosphate, at a given distance from the terrestrial source of weathered P, an equilibrium determined by total phosphate influx results in consistent total P burial rates and consistent organic C/N values independent of the total organic content of the sediment. To account for consistent C/N in spite of variable total organic carbon at a given location, we propose that variations in the absolute abundance of organic C in organic-rich Devonian sediments were largely a function of the lipid content of algal primary producers. The significance of this research is two-fold: First, it puts forth a novel mechanistic explanation for observed relationships among C, N, and P in ancient sediments based upon observations of modern microbial ecosystems. Second, it links the preservation of organic matter in the geological record to the nutritional status of primary producers.

Organic Matter Remineralization Predominates Phosphorus Cycling in the Mid-Bay Sediments in the Chesapeake Bay

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sunendra, Joshi R.; Kukkadapu, Ravi K.; Burdige, David J.

2015-05-19

The Chesapeake Bay, the largest and most productive estuary in the US, suffers from varying degrees of water quality issues fueled by both point and non–point source nutrient sources. Restoration of the bay is complicated by the multitude of nutrient sources, their variable inputs and hydrological conditions, and complex interacting factors including climate forcing. These complexities not only restrict formulation of effective restoration plans but also open up debates on accountability issues with nutrient loading. A detailed understanding of sediment phosphorus (P) dynamics enables one to identify the exchange of dissolved constituents across the sediment- water interface and aid tomore » better constrain mechanisms and processes controlling the coupling between the sediments and the overlying waters. Here we used phosphate oxygen isotope ratios (δ18Op) in concert with sediment chemistry, XRD, and Mössbauer spectroscopy on the sediment retrieved from an organic rich, sulfidic site in the meso-haline portion of the mid-bay to identify sources and pathway of sedimentary P cycling and to infer potential feedback effect on bottom water hypoxia and surface water eutrophication. Isotope data indicate that the regeneration of inorganic P from organic matter degradation (remineralization) is the predominant, if not sole, pathway for authigenic P precipitation in the mid-bay sediments. We interpret that the excess inorganic P generated by remineralization should have overwhelmed any bottom-water and/or pore-water P derived from other sources or biogeochemical processes and exceeded saturation with respect to authigenic P precipitation. It is the first research that identifies the predominance of remineralization pathway against remobilization (coupled Fe-P cycling) pathway in the Chesapeake Bay. Therefore, these results are expected to have significant implications for the current understanding of P cycling and benthic-pelagic coupling in the bay, particularly on the source and pathway of P that sustains hypoxia and supports phytoplankton growth in the surface water.« less

ENHANCED ORGANIC MATTER REMINERALIZATION AND NUTRIENT TURNOVER BY BURROWING SHRIMP POPULATIONS IN YAQUINA BAY, OR

EPA Science Inventory

Burrowing thalassinid shrimp are major ecological components of Pacific Northwest (PNW) estuaries and where they structure large areas of intertidal and shallow subtidal habitat. These crustaceans occur in dense beds (>250 m-2) and dig extensive burrow systems (>1 m) controlling ...

Positive priming of terrestrially derived dissolved organic matter in a freshwater microcosm system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bianchi, Thomas S.; Thornton, Daniel C. O.; Yvon-Lewis, Shari A.; King, Gary M.; Eglinton, Timothy I.; Shields, Michael R.; Ward, Nicholas D.; Curtis, Jason

2015-07-01

The role of priming processes in the remineralization of terrestrially derived dissolved organic carbon (TDOC) in aquatic systems has been overlooked. We provide evidence for TDOC priming using a lab-based microcosm experiment in which TDOC was primed by the addition of 13C-labeled algal dissolved organic carbon (ADOC) or a 13C-labeled disaccharide (trehalose). The rate of TDOC remineralization to carbon dioxide (CO2) occurred 4.1 ± 0.9 and 1.5 ± 0.3 times more rapidly with the addition of trehalose and ADOC, respectively, relative to experiments with TDOC as the sole carbon source over the course of a 301 h incubation period. Results from these controlled experiments provide fundamental evidence for the occurrence of priming of TDOC by ADOC and a simple disaccharide. We suggest that priming effects on TDOC should be considered in carbon budgets for large-river deltas, estuaries, lakes, hydroelectric reservoirs, and continental shelves.

Using Maximum Likelihood Statistical Methods and Pigment Flux Data to Constrain Particle Exchange and Organic Matter Remineralization Rate Constants in the Mediterranean Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, W.; Lee, C.; Cochran, K. K.; Armstrong, R. A.

2016-02-01

Sinking particles play a pivotal role transferring material from the surface to the deeper ocean via the "biological pump". To quantify the extent to which these particles aggregate and disaggregate, and thus affect particle settling velocity, we constructed a box model to describe organic matter cycling. The box model was fit to chloropigment data sampled in the 2005 MedFlux project using Indented Rotating Sphere sediment traps operating in Settling Velocity (SV) mode. Because of the very different pigment compositions of phytoplankton and fecal pellets, chloropigments are useful as proxies to record particle exchange. The maximum likelihood statistical method was used to estimate particle aggregation, disaggregation, and organic matter remineralization rate constants. Eleven settling velocity categories collected by SV sediment traps were grouped into two sinking velocity classes (fast- and slow-sinking) to decrease the number of parameters that needed to be estimated. Organic matter degradation rate constants were estimated to be 1.2, 1.6, and 1.1 y^-1, which are equivalent to degradation half-lives of 0.60, 0.45, and 0.62 y^-1, at 313, 524, and 1918 m, respectively. Rate constants of chlorophyll a degradation to pheopigments (pheophorbide, pheophytin, and pyropheophorbide) were estimated to be 0.88, 0.93, and 1.2 y^-1, at 313, 524, and 1918 m, respectively. Aggregation rate constants varied little with depth, with the highest value being 0.07 y^-1 at 524 m. Disaggregation rate constants were highest at 524 m (14 y^-1) and lowest at 1918 m (9.6 y^-1)

Predictable and efficient carbon sequestration in the North Pacific Ocean supported by symbiotic nitrogen fixation

PubMed Central

Karl, David M.; Church, Matthew J.; Dore, John E.; Letelier, Ricardo M.; Mahaffey, Claire

2012-01-01

The atmospheric and deep sea reservoirs of carbon dioxide are linked via physical, chemical, and biological processes. The last of these include photosynthesis, particle settling, and organic matter remineralization, and are collectively termed the “biological carbon pump.” Herein, we present results from a 13-y (1992–2004) sediment trap experiment conducted in the permanently oligotrophic North Pacific Subtropical Gyre that document a large, rapid, and predictable summertime (July 15–August 15) pulse in particulate matter export to the deep sea (4,000 m). Peak daily fluxes of particulate matter during the summer export pulse (SEP) average 408, 283, 24.1, 1.1, and 67.5 μmol·m−2·d−1 for total carbon, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus (PP), and biogenic silica, respectively. The SEP is approximately threefold greater than mean wintertime particle fluxes and fuels more efficient carbon sequestration because of low remineralization during downward transit that leads to elevated total carbon/PP and organic carbon/PP particle stoichiometry (371:1 and 250:1, respectively). Our long-term observations suggest that seasonal changes in the microbial assemblage, namely, summertime increases in the biomass and productivity of symbiotic nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in association with diatoms, are the main cause of the prominent SEP. The recurrent SEP is enigmatic because it is focused in time despite the absence of any obvious predictable stimulus or habitat condition. We hypothesize that changes in day length (photoperiodism) may be an important environmental cue to initiate aggregation and subsequent export of organic matter to the deep sea. PMID:22308450

Predictable and efficient carbon sequestration in the North Pacific Ocean supported by symbiotic nitrogen fixation.

PubMed

Karl, David M; Church, Matthew J; Dore, John E; Letelier, Ricardo M; Mahaffey, Claire

2012-02-07

The atmospheric and deep sea reservoirs of carbon dioxide are linked via physical, chemical, and biological processes. The last of these include photosynthesis, particle settling, and organic matter remineralization, and are collectively termed the "biological carbon pump." Herein, we present results from a 13-y (1992-2004) sediment trap experiment conducted in the permanently oligotrophic North Pacific Subtropical Gyre that document a large, rapid, and predictable summertime (July 15-August 15) pulse in particulate matter export to the deep sea (4,000 m). Peak daily fluxes of particulate matter during the summer export pulse (SEP) average 408, 283, 24.1, 1.1, and 67.5 μmol·m(-2)·d(-1) for total carbon, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus (PP), and biogenic silica, respectively. The SEP is approximately threefold greater than mean wintertime particle fluxes and fuels more efficient carbon sequestration because of low remineralization during downward transit that leads to elevated total carbon/PP and organic carbon/PP particle stoichiometry (371:1 and 250:1, respectively). Our long-term observations suggest that seasonal changes in the microbial assemblage, namely, summertime increases in the biomass and productivity of symbiotic nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in association with diatoms, are the main cause of the prominent SEP. The recurrent SEP is enigmatic because it is focused in time despite the absence of any obvious predictable stimulus or habitat condition. We hypothesize that changes in day length (photoperiodism) may be an important environmental cue to initiate aggregation and subsequent export of organic matter to the deep sea.

Inconsistencies between 14C and short-lived radionuclides-based sediment accumulation rates: Effects of long-term remineralization.

PubMed

Baskaran, M; Bianchi, T S; Filley, T R

2017-08-01

14 C is the most widely utilized geochronometer to investigate geological, geochemical and geophysical problems over the past 5 decades. Establishment of precise sedimentation rates is crucial for the reconstruction of paleo-climate, -ecological and - environmental studies when extrapolation of sedimentation rates is utilized for time scales beyond the dating range. However, agreement between short-term and long-term sedimentation rates in anthropogenically unperturbed sediment cores has not been shown. Here we show that the AMS 14 C-based long-term mass accumulation rate (MAR) of an organic-rich (>70%) sediment core from Mud Lake, Florida to be ∼5 times lower than the short-term MAR obtained using 239,240 Pu, 137 Cs and excess 210 Pb ( 210 Pb xs ). The measured sediment inventories of 210 Pb xs , 137 Cs and 239,240 Pu are comparable to the atmospheric fallout for the sampling site, indicating very little accelerated sediment erosion over the past several decades. Presence of sharp fallout peaks of 239,240 Pu indicates very little sediment mixing. The penetration depths of 137 Cs and 239,240 Pu were found to be much deeper than expected and this is attributed to their post-depositional mobility. MAR calculated using 14 C-ages in successive layers also indicated decreasing MARs with depth, and was reflective of progressive remineralization. Using first-order kinetics, the sediment remineralization rate was found to be 4.4 × 10 -4 y -1 and propose that over the long-term, remineralization of organic-rich sediment affected the long-term MAR, but not the ratio of 14 C/ 12 C. Thus, the MAR and linear sedimentation rate obtained using 14 C (and other isotope-based methods) could be erroneous, although 14 C ages may not be affected by such remineralization. Long-term remineralization rates of organic matter has a direct bearing on the biogeochemical cycling of elements in aqueous systems and mass balance of elements needs to be taken into consideration. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sedimentary organic matter distributions, burrowing activity, and biogeochemical cycling: Natural patterns and experimental artifacts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michaud, Emma; Aller, Robert, C.; Stora, Georges

2010-11-01

The coupling between biogenic reworking activity and reactive organic matter patterns within deposits is poorly understood and often ignored. In this study, we examined how common experimental treatments of sediment affect the burrowing behavior of the polychaete Nephtys incisa and how these effects may interact with reactive organic matter distributions to alter diagenetic transport - reaction balances. Sediment and animals were recovered from a subtidal site in central Long Island Sound, USA. The upper 15 cm of the sediment was sectioned into sub-intervals, and each interval separately sieved and homogenized. Three initial distributions of sediment and organic substrate reactivity were setup in a series of microcosms: (1) a reconstituted natural pattern with surface-derived sediment overlying sediment obtained from progressively deeper material to a depth of 15 cm (Natural); (2) a 15 cm thick sediment layer composed only of surface-derived sediment (Rich); and (3) a 15 cm thick layer composed of uniformally mixed sediment from the original 15 cm sediment profile (Averaged). The two last treatments are comparable to that used in microcosms in many previous studies of bioturbation and interspecific functional interaction experiments. Sediment grain size distributions were 97.5% silt-clay and showed no depth dependent patterns. Sediment porosity gradients were slightly altered by the treatments. Nepthys were reintroduced and aquariums were X-rayed regularly over 5 months to visualize and quantify spatial and temporal dynamics of burrows. The burrowing behaviour of adult populations having similar total biovolume, biomass, abundance, and individual sizes differed substantially as a function of treatment. Burrows in sediment with natural property gradients were much shallower and less dense than those in microcosms with altered gradients. The burrow volume/biovolume ratio was also lower in the substrate with natural organic reactivity gradients. Variation in food resources or in sediment mechanical properties associated with treatments, the latter in part coupled to remineralization processes such as exopolymer production, may explain the burrowing responses. In addition to demonstrating how species may respond to physical sedimentation events (substrate homogenization) and patterns of reactive organic matter redistribution, these experiments suggest that infaunal species interactions in microcosms, including the absolute and relative fluxes of remineralized solutes, may be subject to artifacts depending on exactly how sediments are introduced experimentally. Nonlocal transport and cylinder microenvironment transport - reaction models readily demonstrate how the multiple interactions between burrowing patterns and remineralization rate distributions can alter relative flux balances, decomposition pathways, and time to steady state.

Tidal Pumping-Induced Nutrients Dynamics and Biogeochemical Implications in an Intertidal Aquifer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yi; Jiao, Jiu Jimmy; Liang, Wenzhao; Luo, Xin

2017-12-01

Tidal pumping is a major driving force affecting water exchange between land and sea, biogeochemical reactions in the intertidal aquifer, and nutrient loading to the sea. At a sandy beach of Tolo Harbour, Hong Kong, the nutrient (NH4+, NO2-, NO3-, and PO43-) dynamic in coastal groundwater mixing zone (CGMZ) is found to be fluctuated with tidal oscillation. Nutrient dynamic is mainly controlled by tidal pumping-induced organic matter that serves as a reagent of remineralization in the aquifer. NH4+, NO2-, and PO43- are positively correlated with salinity. Both NH4+ and PO43- have negative correlations with oxidation/reduction potential. NH4+ is the major dissolved inorganic nitrogen species in CGMZ. The adsorption of PO43- onto iron oxides occurs at the deep transition zone with a salinity of 5-10 practical salinity unit (psu), and intensive N-loss occurs in near-surface area with a salinity of 10-25 psu. The biogeochemical reactions, producing PO43- and consuming NH4+, are synergistic effect of remineralization-nitrification-denitrification. In CGMZ, the annual NH4+ loss is estimated to be 4.32 × 105 mol, while the minimum annual PO43- production is estimated to be 2.55 × 104 mol. Applying these rates to the entire Tolo Harbour, the annual NH4+ input to the harbor through the remineralization of organic matters is estimated to be 1.02 × 107 mol. The annual NH4+ loss via nitrification is 1.32 × 107 mol, and the annual PO43- production is 7.76 × 105 mol.

Input of particulate organic and dissolved inorganic carbon from the Amazon to the Atlantic Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Druffel, E. R. M.; Bauer, J. E.; Griffin, S.

2005-03-01

We report concentrations and isotope measurements (radiocarbon and stable carbon) of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and suspended particulate organic carbon (POC) in waters collected from the mouth of the Amazon River and the North Brazil Current. Samples were collected in November 1991, when the Amazon hydrograph was at its annual minimum and the North Brazil Current had retroflected into the equatorial North Atlantic. The DIC Δ14C results revealed postbomb carbon in river and ocean waters, with slightly higher values at the river mouth. The low DIC δ13C signature of the river end-member (-11‰) demonstrates that about half of the DIC originated from the remineralization of terrestrially derived organic matter. A linear relationship between DIC and salinity indicates that DIC was mixed nearly conservatively in the transition zone from the river mouth to the open ocean, though there was a small amount (≤10%) of organic matter remineralization in the mesohaline region. The POC Δ14C values in the river mouth were markedly lower than those values from the western Amazon region (Hedges et al., 1986). We conclude that the dominant source of POC near the river mouth and in the inner Amazon plume during November 1991 was aged, resuspended material of significant terrestrial character derived from shelf sediments, while the outer plume contained mainly marine-derived POC.

Terrestrial dissolved organic matter distribution in the North Sea.

PubMed

Painter, Stuart C; Lapworth, Dan J; Woodward, E Malcolm S; Kroeger, Silke; Evans, Chris D; Mayor, Daniel J; Sanders, Richard J

2018-07-15

The flow of terrestrial carbon to rivers and inland waters is a major term in the global carbon cycle. The organic fraction of this flux may be buried, remineralized or ultimately stored in the deep ocean. The latter can only occur if terrestrial organic carbon can pass through the coastal and estuarine filter, a process of unknown efficiency. Here, data are presented on the spatial distribution of terrestrial fluorescent and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (FDOM and CDOM, respectively) throughout the North Sea, which receives organic matter from multiple distinct sources. We use FDOM and CDOM as proxies for terrestrial dissolved organic matter (tDOM) to test the hypothesis that tDOM is quantitatively transferred through the North Sea to the open North Atlantic Ocean. Excitation emission matrix fluorescence and parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) revealed a single terrestrial humic-like class of compounds whose distribution was restricted to the coastal margins and, via an inverse salinity relationship, to major riverine inputs. Two distinct sources of fluorescent humic-like material were observed associated with the combined outflows of the Rhine, Weser and Elbe rivers in the south-eastern North Sea and the Baltic Sea outflow to the eastern central North Sea. The flux of tDOM from the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean appears insignificant, although tDOM export may occur through Norwegian coastal waters unsampled in our study. Our analysis suggests that the bulk of tDOM exported from the Northwest European and Scandinavian landmasses is buried or remineralized internally, with potential losses to the atmosphere. This interpretation implies that the residence time in estuarine and coastal systems exerts an important control over the fate of tDOM and needs to be considered when evaluating the role of terrestrial carbon losses in the global carbon cycle. Copyright © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Laboratory study of nitrogen and phosphorus remineralization during the decomposition of coastal plankton and seston

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garber, Jonathan H.

1984-06-01

The decomposition of cultured marine phytoplankton ( Skeletonema costatum) and natural estuarine seston from Narragansett Bay, RI, was studied at two temperatures (8°C and 18°C) in bottles containing sterile bay-water (30‰) and in bay-water with micro-organisms small enough to pass through a glass fibre filter (nominally < 1μ). About 50% of the particulate organic nitrogen (PON) and particulate phosphorus (PP) was immediately released to the water in dissolved organic forms from both types of organic matter. Comparison of changes in the dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) fraction in the sterile and non-sterile systems indicated that nearly all of the DON initially released was subsequently remineralized. Ammonification proceeded only in non-sterile bay-water. 20-25% of the PP was converted to dissolved inorganic-P (DIP) fraction after only 7 h in both sterile and non-sterile bay-water. Following autolytic releases of DON, DOP and DIP the initial rates of N and P remineralization were temperature dependent: Q 10 values for PON and PP decay during first phase of microbially mediated decomposition ranged from 1·3 to 6·4. Rates of remineralization then slowed so that about equal amounts of nutrients were remineralized (45-50% of the N and 57-60% of the P in the phytoplankton and 60-63% of the N and 36-60% of the P in the natural seston) after 30 days storage at either temperature. During 30 days of decomposition in non-sterile seawater the N/P ratios in the dissolved inorganic fractions converged on the ratios of total-N/total-P initially present in the bottles. Kinetic analysis of the decay of total organic-N (TON) and total organic-P (TOP) in the non-sterile systems and analysis of similar sets found in the literature showed that the initial stages of the decomposition of N and P from planktonic POM in vitro could be modelled as the sequential decay, at first-order rates, of two particulate fractions. The first, more labile, fraction comprised about 60% of the particulate N and P. First-order rate constants (- k, base e) for decomposition during the 1st and 2nd phases were 0·02 to 0·2 day -1 and 0·003 to 0·02 day -1, respectively. The decay rates are far too slow to account for the 'rapid in situ recycling' of nutrients needed to support phytoplankton production when other means of nutrient resupply (by advection, fixation, rainfall, etc.) are very low.

The nature and function of microbial enzymes in subsurface marine sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steen, A. D.; Schmidt, J.

2016-02-01

Isotopic and genomic evidence indicates that marine sediments contain populations of active heterotrophic microorganisms which appear to metabolize old, detrital, apparently recalcitrant organic matter. In surface communities, heterotrophs use extracellular enzymes to access complex organic matter. In subsurface sediments, in which microbial doubling times can be on the order of hundreds or thousands of years, it is not clear whether extracellular enzymes could remain stable and active long enough to constitute a 'profitable' stragtegy for accessing complex organic carbon. Here we present evidence that a wide range of extracellular enzyme are active in subsurface sediments from two different environments: the White Oak River, NC, and deep (up to 80 m) sediments of the Baltic Sea Basin recovered from IODP Expedition 347. In the White Oak River, enzymes from deeper sediments appear to be better-adapted to highly-degraded organic matter than enzymes from surface sediments. In the Baltic Sea, preliminary data suggest that enzymes related to nitrogen acquisition are preferentially expressed. By characterizing the extracellular enzymes present in marine sediments, we hope to achieve a better understanding of the mechanisms that control sedimentary organic matter remineralization and preservation.

Accumulation of deaminated peptides in anoxic sediments of Santa Barbara Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdulla, Hussain A.; Burdige, David J.; Komada, Tomoko

2018-02-01

Proteins represent the most abundant class of biomolecules in marine sinking particles and microbial biomass, yet their cycling in marine sediments is not fully understood. To investigate whether some portion of hydrolyzed proteins escapes complete remineralization and accumulate in the pore waters, we analyzed dissolved organic matter from the anoxic sediments of Santa Barbara Basin, California, by Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FTICR-MS). The results showed an increase in the molecular diversity and abundance of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) formulas with depth. A comparison of the detected DON formulas to a database of small peptides (2-4 amino acid sequences) returned 119 matches, and these formulas were most abundant near the sediment surface. When we compared our detected formulas to all possible structures that would result from deamination of peptides in the database, we found 680 formula matches. However, these molecular formulas can represent hundreds of different structural isomers (in the present case as many as 3257 different deaminated peptide structures), which cannot be distinguished by the FTICR-MS settings that were used. Analysis of amino acid sequences suggests that these deaminated peptides may be the products of selective degradation of source proteins in marine sediments. We hypothesize that these deaminated peptides accumulate in the pore waters due to extracellular proteinases being inhibited from completely hydrolyzing specific peptides to free amino acids. We suggest that anaerobic microbes deaminate peptides largely to produce H2, which is ultimately used as a reducing agent by other sediment microbes (e.g. CO2 reduction by methanogens). Simple calculations suggest that deaminated peptides may represent ∼25-45% of DOC accumulating in these sediment pore waters. Unlike rapid remineralization of free amino acids, peptide deamination leaves behind the peptide carbon skeleton. Molecular structures of these remnant carbon skeletons may hold important clues about specific microbial processes influencing organic matter remineralization and accumulation.

Environmental Drivers of Benthic Flux Variation and Ecosystem Functioning in Salish Sea and Northeast Pacific Sediments.

PubMed

Belley, Rénald; Snelgrove, Paul V R; Archambault, Philippe; Juniper, S Kim

2016-01-01

The upwelling of deep waters from the oxygen minimum zone in the Northeast Pacific from the continental slope to the shelf and into the Salish Sea during spring and summer offers a unique opportunity to study ecosystem functioning in the form of benthic fluxes along natural gradients. Using the ROV ROPOS we collected sediment cores from 10 sites in May and July 2011, and September 2013 to perform shipboard incubations and flux measurements. Specifically, we measured benthic fluxes of oxygen and nutrients to evaluate potential environmental drivers of benthic flux variation and ecosystem functioning along natural gradients of temperature and bottom water dissolved oxygen concentrations. The range of temperature and dissolved oxygen encountered across our study sites allowed us to apply a suite of multivariate analyses rarely used in flux studies to identify bottom water temperature as the primary environmental driver of benthic flux variation and organic matter remineralization. Redundancy analysis revealed that bottom water characteristics (temperature and dissolved oxygen), quality of organic matter (chl a:phaeo and C:N ratios) and sediment characteristics (mean grain size and porosity) explained 51.5% of benthic flux variation. Multivariate analyses identified significant spatial and temporal variation in benthic fluxes, demonstrating key differences between the Northeast Pacific and Salish Sea. Moreover, Northeast Pacific slope fluxes were generally lower than shelf fluxes. Spatial and temporal variation in benthic fluxes in the Salish Sea were driven primarily by differences in temperature and quality of organic matter on the seafloor following phytoplankton blooms. These results demonstrate the utility of multivariate approaches in differentiating among potential drivers of seafloor ecosystem functioning, and indicate that current and future predictive models of organic matter remineralization and ecosystem functioning of soft-muddy shelf and slope seafloor habitats should consider bottom water temperature variation. Bottom temperature has important implications for estimates of seasonal and spatial benthic flux variation, benthic-pelagic coupling, and impacts of predicted ocean warming at high latitudes.

Hydrologic control of carbon cycling and aged carbon discharge in the Congo River basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schefuß, Enno; Eglinton, Timothy I.; Spencer-Jones, Charlotte L.; Rullkötter, Jürgen; de Pol-Holz, Ricardo; Talbot, Helen M.; Grootes, Pieter M.; Schneider, Ralph R.

2016-09-01

The age of organic material discharged by rivers provides information about its sources and carbon cycling processes within watersheds. Although elevated ages in fluvially transported organic matter are usually explained by erosion of soils and sedimentary deposits, it is commonly assumed that mainly young organic material is discharged from flat tropical watersheds due to their extensive plant cover and rapid carbon turnover. Here we present compound-specific radiocarbon data of terrigenous organic fractions from a sedimentary archive offshore the Congo River, in conjunction with molecular markers for methane-producing land cover reflecting wetland extent. We find that the Congo River has been discharging aged organic matter for several thousand years, with apparently increasing ages from the mid- to the Late Holocene. This suggests that aged organic matter in modern samples is concealed by radiocarbon from atmospheric nuclear weapons testing. By comparison to indicators for past rainfall changes we detect a systematic control of organic matter sequestration and release by continental hydrology, mediating temporary carbon storage in wetlands. As aridification also leads to exposure and rapid remineralization of large amounts of previously stored labile organic matter, we infer that this process may cause a profound direct climate feedback that is at present underestimated in carbon cycle assessments.

Water column particulate matter: A key contributor to phosphorus regeneration in a coastal eutrophic environment, the Chesapeake Bay: Particulate phosphorus in the Chesapeake Bay

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Jiying; Reardon, Patrick; McKinley, James P.

Particulate phosphorus (PP) in the water column is an essential component of phosphorus (P) cycling in aquatic ecosystems yet its composition and transformations remain largely uncharacterized. To understand the roles of suspended particulates on regeneration of inorganic P (Pi) into the water column as well as sequestration into more stable mineral precipitates, we studied seasonal variation in both organic and inorganic P speciation in suspended particles in three sites in the Chesapeake Bay using sequential P extraction, 1D (31P) and 2D (1H-31P) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies, and electron microprobe analyses (EMPA). Remineralization efficiency of particulate P average 8% andmore » 56% in shallow and deep sites respectively, suggesting the importance of PP remineralization is in resupplying water column Pi. Strong temporal and spatial variability of organic P composition, distributions, and remineralization efficiency were observed relating to water column parameters such as temperature and redox conditions: concentration of orthophosphate monoesters and diesters, and diester-to-monoester (D/M) ratios decreased with depth. Both esters and the D/M ratios were lower in the hypoxic July and September. In contrast, pyrophosphate and orthophosphate increased with depth, and polyphosphates was high in the anoxic water column. Sequential extraction and EMPA analyses of the suspended particles suggest presence of Ca-bound phosphate in the water column. We hypothesize authigenic precipitation of carbonate fluorapatite and/or its precursor mineral(s) in Pi rich water column, supported by our thermodynamic calculations. Our results, overall, reveal the important role suspended particles play in P remineralization and P sequestration in the Chesapeake Bay water column, provide important implications on P bioavailability and P sinks in similar eutrophic coastal environments.« less

Shallow Remineralization in the Sargasso Sea Estimated from Seasonal Variations in Oxygen and Dissolved Inorganic Carbon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ono, S.; Ennyu, A.; Najjar, R. G.; Bates, N.

1998-01-01

A diagnostic model of the mean annual cycles of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and oxygen below the mixed layer at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) site is presented and used to estimate organic carbon remineralization in the seasonal thermocline. The model includes lateral and vertical advection as well as vertical, diffusion. Very good agreement is found for the remineralization estimates based on oxygen and DIC. Net remineralization averaged from mid-spring to early fall is found to be a maximum between 120 and 140 in. Remineralization integrated between 100 (the compensation depth) and 250 m during this period is estimated to be about 1 mol C/sq m. This flux is consistent with independent estimates of the loss of particulate and dissolved organic carbon.

Amelogenin-assisted ex vivo remineralization of human enamel: effects of supersaturation degree and fluoride concentration

PubMed Central

Fan, Yuwei; Nelson, James R.; Alvarez, Jason R.; Hagan, Joseph; Berrier, Allison; Xu, Xiaoming

2011-01-01

The formation of organized nanocrystals that resemble enamel is crucial for successful enamel remineralization. Calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions and amelogenin are important ingredients for the formation of organized hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystals in vitro. However, the effects of these remineralization agents on the enamel crystal morphology have not been thoroughly studied. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of fluoride ions, supersaturation degree and amelogenin on the crystal morphology and organization of ex vivo remineralized human enamel. Extracted third molars were sliced thin and acid-etched to provide the enamel surface for immersion in different remineralization solutions. The crystal morphology and mineral phase of the remineralized enamel surface were analyzed by FE-SEM, ATR-FTIR and XRD. The concentration of fluoride and supersaturation degree of hydroxyapatite had significant effects on the crystal morphology and crystal organization, which varied from plate-like loose crystals to rod-like densely packed nanocrystal arrays. Densely packed arrays of fluoridated hydroxyapatite nanorods were observed under the following conditions: σ(HAP) = 10.2±2.0 with fluoride 1.5±0.5 mg/L and amelogenin 40±10 µg/mL, pH 6.8±0.4. A phase diagram summarized the conditions that form dense or loose hydroxyapatite nanocrystal structures. This study provides the basis for the development of novel dental materials for caries management. PMID:21256987

Tracing the origin of the oxygen-consuming organic matter in the hypoxic zone in a large eutrophic estuary: the lower reach of the Pearl River Estuary, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Jianzhong; Dai, Minhan; He, Biyan; Wang, Lifang; Gan, Jianping; Guo, Xianghui; Zhao, Huade; Yu, Fengling

2017-09-01

We assess the relative contributions of different sources of organic matter, marine vs. terrestrial, to oxygen consumption in an emerging hypoxic zone in the lower Pearl River Estuary (PRE), a large eutrophic estuary located in Southern China. Our cruise, conducted in July 2014, consisted of two legs before and after the passing of Typhoon Rammasun, which completely de-stratified the water column. The stratification recovered rapidly, within 1 day after the typhoon. We observed algal blooms in the upper layer of the water column and hypoxia underneath in bottom water during both legs. Repeat sampling at the initial hypoxic station showed severe oxygen depletion down to 30 µmol kg-1 before the typhoon and a clear drawdown of dissolved oxygen after the typhoon. Based on a three endmember mixing model and the mass balance of dissolved inorganic carbon and its isotopic composition, the δ13C of organic carbon remineralized in the hypoxic zone was -23.2 ± 1.1 ‰. We estimated that 65 ± 16 % of the oxygen-consuming organic matter was derived from marine sources, and the rest (35 ± 16 %) was derived from the continent. In contrast to a recently studied hypoxic zone in the East China Sea off the Changjiang Estuary where marine organic matter dominated oxygen consumption, here terrestrial organic matter significantly contributed to the formation and maintenance of hypoxia. How varying amounts of these organic matter sources drive oxygen consumption has important implications for better understanding hypoxia and its mitigation in bottom waters.

Amounts, isotopic character and ages of organic and inorganic carbon exported from rivers to ocean margins: Assessment of natural and anthropogenic controls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bauer, J. E.; Hossler, K.

2012-12-01

Riverine exports of carbon (C) and organic matter (OM) are regulated by a variety of natural and anthropogenic factors. Understanding the relationships between these various factors and C and OM exports can help to constrain global C budgets, as well allow assessment of current and future anthropogenic impacts on both riverine and global C cycles. We quantified the effects of multiple natural and anthropogenic controls on riverine export fluxes and compositions of particulate organic C (POC), dissolved organic C (DOC), and dissolved inorganic C (DIC) for a regional group of eight rivers in the northeastern U.S. For allochthonous and aged C contributions to POC, DOC and DIC exports, we first estimated fractional contributions from six potential sources for POC and DOC (i.e., modern C3 plant material (C3-OC), modern C4 plant material (C4-OC), modern algal material (algal OC), slow-turnover soil OC (slow SOC; turnover time 25 yr), passive-turnover soil OC (passive SOC; turnover time 5,000 yr) and fossil OC and four potential sources for DIC (i.e., modern atmospheric CO2 exchange, carbonate dissolution, POC remineralization and DOC remineralization) using a novel time-varying isotope mixing model. Using these estimated source contributions, we then estimated the allochthonous proportions of (a) the POC and DOC pools to be the C3-OC, C4-OC, slow SOC, passive SOC, and fossil OC contributions; and (b) the DIC pools to be the dissolved carbonates, remineralized allochthonous POC, and remineralized allochthonous DOC contributions. We considered aged C to be anything older than ˜ 60 yr, which included passive SOC and fossil OC for POC and DOC and dissolved carbonates and aged fractions of remineralized POC and DOC for DIC. Potential controls related to hydrogeomorphology and regional climate, soil order, soil texture, bedrock lithology, land use, and additional anthropogenic factors were analyzed collectively, individually, and at scales of both local and regional influence. Factors related either to hydrogeomorphology and climate or to anthropogenic factors exhibited the strongest impacts on riverine C exports and compositions, particularly at broader regional scales. The effect of hydrogeomorphology and climate was primarily one of size, as larger watersheds with greater discharge exported more total C and terrestrial C. Principal anthropogenic factors included impacts of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and river impoundments. The presence of WWTPs as well as anthropogenic use of carbonate-based materials (e.g., limestone) may have substantially increased riverine C exports, particularly fossil C exports, in the study region. The presence of nuclear power plants in the associated watersheds is also discussed because of the potential for anthropogenic 14C inputs and subsequent biasing of aquatic C studies utilizing natural abundance 14C.

Effects of stratification, organic matter remineralization and bathymetry on summertime oxygen distribution in the Bohai Sea, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Hua-De; Kao, Shuh-Ji; Zhai, Wei-Dong; Zang, Kun-Peng; Zheng, Nan; Xu, Xue-Mei; Huo, Cheng; Wang, Ju-Ying

2017-02-01

The Bohai Sea, a semi-enclosed shallow coastal sea with increasing nutrient loads, is susceptible to seasonal oxygen deficiency in its bottom waters, similar to many other areas of the worlds' coastal oceans. We examined the dissolved oxygen (DO) distribution in the Bohai during August 2014. Two oxygen-deficient zones (DO<92 μmol O2 kg-1) with a minimum DO of 80 μmol O2 kg-1 were documented. The area and volume of bottom oxygen-deficient water were 756 km2 and 7820×106 m3, with a mean thickness of 10 m. Thus, the Bohai is second to the Changjiang estuary in its oxygen-deficient zone size among China's coastal waters. We classified three hydrographic areas that dictated the distribution of DO: 1) the shallow well-mixed zone; 2) the laterally-open stratified zone; and 3) the isolated stratified zone. Vertical mixing dominated the shallow well-mixed zone leading to homogeneous DO in the water column. The laterally-open stratified zone was influenced by high DO and low temperature inflow through the northern Bohai Strait. The isolated stratified zones, i.e., the low DO areas, were found in depressed regions. The stoichiometric relationship between DO consumption and the corresponding enrichment of dissolved inorganic carbon suggested that the aerobic respiration of organic matter contributed to the oxygen-depletion in the isolated stratified zone. Overall, the bottom DO distribution in the Bohai system was controlled largely by lateral DO exchange modified by bathymetric features, while superimposed on that was the build-up of stratification caused by summer heating and the remineralization of organics sourced from spring phytoplankton bloom.

The global distribution and dynamics of chromophoric dissolved organic matter.

PubMed

Nelson, Norman B; Siegel, David A

2013-01-01

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) is a ubiquitous component of the open ocean dissolved matter pool, and is important owing to its influence on the optical properties of the water column, its role in photochemistry and photobiology, and its utility as a tracer of deep ocean biogeochemical processes and circulation. In this review, we discuss the global distribution and dynamics of CDOM in the ocean, concentrating on developments in the past 10 years and restricting our discussion to open ocean and deep ocean (below the main thermocline) environments. CDOM has been demonstrated to exert primary control on ocean color by its absorption of light energy, which matches or exceeds that of phytoplankton pigments in most cases. This has important implications for assessing the ocean biosphere via ocean color-based remote sensing and the evaluation of ocean photochemical and photobiological processes. The general distribution of CDOM in the global ocean is controlled by a balance between production (primarily microbial remineralization of organic matter) and photolysis, with vertical ventilation circulation playing an important role in transporting CDOM to and from intermediate water masses. Significant decadal-scale fluctuations in the abundance of global surface ocean CDOM have been observed using remote sensing, indicating a potentially important role for CDOM in ocean-climate connections through its impact on photochemistry and photobiology.

Geochemical impacts of waste disposal on the abyssal seafloor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jahnke, Richard A.

1998-05-01

The response of pore water oxygen, nitrate, sulfate, sulfide, ammonium and methane and particulate organic carbon distributions to the input of 8.5 million m 3 (3.8×10 12 g) of organic-rich waste materials is simulated. The deposit is assumed to be conical with a maximum thickness of approximately 20 m. Remineralization reactions within the deposit rapidly deplete any initially available pore water oxidants such as oxygen, nitrate and sulfate, and are subsequently dominated by fermentation reactions. Diffusion downward of reduced metabolites, sulfide, ammonium and methane, depletes the available oxidants in the pore waters below the waste pile, increasing the thickness of the anoxic layer. While the impacted region is limited to essentially the deposition site, recovery of the pore waters is estimated to be >10 4 years. The overall computational results are corroborated by the pore water distributions observed at turbidite boundaries. Numerous uncertainties in the parameterizations limit the overall accuracy of the calculations presented. The most significant of these are: (1) A quantitatively accurate assessment of the remineralization rate of the deposited organic matter including its rate of inoculation by abyssal microorganisms; (2) a detailed assessment of potential non-diffusive pore water transport processes including advection due to compaction and buoyancy-driven flows and enhanced exchange due to macrobenthic irrigation activities and (3) an assessment of the potential alteration of pore space and methane reactivity due to gas hydrate formation.

Attenuation of sinking particulate organic carbon flux through the mesopelagic ocean

PubMed Central

Marsay, Chris M.; Sanders, Richard J.; Henson, Stephanie A.; Pabortsava, Katsiaryna; Achterberg, Eric P.; Lampitt, Richard S.

2015-01-01

The biological carbon pump, which transports particulate organic carbon (POC) from the surface to the deep ocean, plays an important role in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. We know very little about geographical variability in the remineralization depth of this sinking material and less about what controls such variability. Here we present previously unpublished profiles of mesopelagic POC flux derived from neutrally buoyant sediment traps deployed in the North Atlantic, from which we calculate the remineralization length scale for each site. Combining these results with corresponding data from the North Pacific, we show that the observed variability in attenuation of vertical POC flux can largely be explained by temperature, with shallower remineralization occurring in warmer waters. This is seemingly inconsistent with conclusions drawn from earlier analyses of deep-sea sediment trap and export flux data, which suggest lowest transfer efficiency at high latitudes. However, the two patterns can be reconciled by considering relatively intense remineralization of a labile fraction of material in warm waters, followed by efficient downward transfer of the remaining refractory fraction, while in cold environments, a larger labile fraction undergoes slower remineralization that continues over a longer length scale. Based on the observed relationship, future increases in ocean temperature will likely lead to shallower remineralization of POC and hence reduced storage of CO2 by the ocean. PMID:25561526

Temperature control of microbial respiration and growth efficiency in the mesopelagic zone of the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazuecos, Ignacio P.; Arístegui, Javier; Vázquez-Domínguez, Evaristo; Ortega-Retuerta, Eva; Gasol, Josep M.; Reche, Isabel

2015-01-01

We have measured both prokaryotic heterotrophic production (PHP) and respiration (R), then providing direct estimates of prokaryotic growth efficiencies (PGE), in the upper mesopelagic zone (300-600 m) of the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Our results show that in situ R ranged 3-fold, from 87 to 238 μmol C m-3 d-1. In situ PHP rates were much lower but also more variable than R (ranging from 0.3 to 9.1 μmol C m-3 d-1). The derived in situ PGE values were on average ~1.4% (from 0.3% to 3.7%), indicating that most of the organic substrates incorporated by prokaryotes were respired instead of being used for growth. Together with the few previous studies on PGE published before for the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, our findings support the hypothesis that the global mesopelagic zone represents a key remineralization site for export production in the open ocean. We also found a strong correlation between R and PGE with temperature across a gradient ranging from 8.7 to 14.9 °C. The derived Q10 value of 3.7 suggests that temperature variability in the mesopelagic zone plays a significant role in the remineralization of organic matter.

Low Oxygen and Ocean Acidification on the Vancouver Island Shelf

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bianucci, L.; Denman, K.

2008-12-01

In the recent years hypoxic events have been observed along the west coast of North America (off Oregon and California). Although a common cause of coastal hypoxia is usually anthropogenic eutrophication, in these upwelling regions the advection of oxygen-depleted waters from offshore is a key mechanism. Moreover, the high productivity typical of these margins generates a large flux of sinking particular organic matter. The remineralization of this matter below the euphotic zone produces an elevated consumption of oxygen. When concentrations become lower than certain threshold, hypoxia leads to a major change in the ecosystem and the affected areas are called 'dead zones'. Furthermore, the two processes that drive oxygen levels down (physical upwelling and biological demand) also increase dissolved inorganic carbon in the shelf, which leads to a pH reduction. Ocean acidification and hypoxia can severely affect ecosystems, and the links between these phenomena have not been explored. This presentation will discuss a model study of the carbon and oxygen coupling on the Vancouver Island shelf, with focus on the connection between acidification and hypoxia. Moreover, the role of biology versus physics will be investigated. This region comprises the northern end of the wind-driven upwelling margin off western North America, where low oxygen events have not been extensively studied. However, the proximity to an Oxygen Minimum Zone offshore and the observed decline of oxygen in the Northeast Pacific turns this shelf into a potential candidate to suffer from low-oxygen events. The model used is the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) in a quasi-2D configuration of the shelf (across-shore section with uniform properties alongshore). The biogeochemical model has carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen as state variables, and includes cycling of dissolved organic matter. Carbon and oxygen cycles are coupled through ecosystem processes such as photosynthesis and remineralization, while they are decoupled by other processes (e.g., nitrification and denitrification).

Denitrification in the Arabian Sea: A 3D ecosystem modelling study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Thomas R.; Ryabchenko, Vladimir A.; Fasham, Michael J. R.; Gorchakov, Victor A.

2007-12-01

A three-dimensional hydrodynamic-ecosystem model was used to examine the factors determining the spatio-temporal distribution of denitrification in the Arabian Sea. The ecosystem model includes carbon and nitrogen as currencies, cycling of organic matter via detritus and dissolved organic matter, and both remineralization and denitrification as sinks for material exported below the euphotic zone. Model results captured the marked seasonality in plankton dynamics of the region, with characteristic blooms of chlorophyll in the coastal upwelling regions and central Arabian Sea during the southwest monsoon, and also in the northern Arabian Sea during the northeast monsoon as the mixed layer shoals. Predicted denitrification was 26.2 Tg N yr -1,the greatest seasonal contribution being during the northeast monsoon when primary production is co-located with the zone of anoxia. Detritus was the primary organic substrate consumed in denitrification (97%), with a small (3%) contribution by dissolved organic matter. Denitrification in the oxygen minimum zone was predicted to be fuelled almost entirely by organic matter supplied by particles sinking vertically from the euphotic zone above (0.73 mmol N m -2 d -1) rather than from lateral transport of organic matter from elsewhere in the Arabian Sea (less than 0.01 mmol N m -2 d -1). Analysis of the carbon budget in the zone of denitrification (north of 10°N and east of 55°E) indicates that the modelled vertical export flux of detritus, which is similar in magnitude to estimates from field data based on the 234Th method, is sufficient to account for measured bacterial production below the euphotic zone in the Arabian Sea.

Benthic Foraminifera, Food in the Deep Sea, and Limits to Bentho-Pelagic Coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, E.; Boscolo-Galazzo, F.; Arreguin-Rodrigu, G. J.; Ortiz, S.; Alegret, L.

2015-12-01

The deep-sea is the largest habitat on Earth, contains highly diverse biota, but is very little known. Many of its abundant benthic biota (e.g., nematodes) are not preserved in the fossil record. Calcareous and agglutinated benthic foraminifera (unicellular eukaryotes, Rhizaria; efficient dispersers) and ostracodes (Animalia, Crustacea; non-efficient dispersers) are the most common organisms providing a fossil record of deep-sea environments. Very little food is supplied to the deep-sea, because organic matter produced by photosynthesis is largely degraded before it arrives at the seafloor. Only a few % of organic matter is carried to the ocean bottom by 'marine snow', with its particle size and behavior in the water column controlled by surface ecosystem structure, including type of dominant primary producers (diatoms, cyanobacteria). Food supply and its seasonality are generally seen as the dominant control on benthic assemblages (combined with oxygenation), providing bentho-pelagic coupling between primary and benthic productivity. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages (composition and density) thus are used widely to estimate past productivity, especially during episodes of global climate change, ocean acidification, and mass extinction of primary producers. We show that some environmental circumstances may result in interrupting bentho-pelagic coupling, e.g. through lateral supply of organic matter along continental margins (adding more refractory organic matter), through trophic focusing and/or fine particle winnowing on seamounts (giving an advantage to suspension feeders), and through carbonate undersaturation (giving advantage to infaunal over epifaunal calcifyers). In addition, increased remineralization of organic matter combined with increased metabolic rates may cause assemblages to reflect more oligotrophic conditions at stable primary productivity during periods of global warming. As a result, benthic foraminiferal accumulation rates must be carefully evaluated before use as proxies for primary productivity.

Eastward shift and maintenance of Arabian Sea oxygen minimum zone: Understanding the paradox

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acharya, Shiba Shankar; Panigrahi, Mruganka K.

2016-09-01

The dominance of Oxygen Minimum Zone in the eastern part of the Arabian Sea (ASOMZ) instead of the more bio-productive and likely more oxygen consuming western part is the first part of the paradox. The sources of oxygen to the ASOMZ were evaluated through the distributions of different water masses using the extended optimum multiparameter (eOMP) analysis, whereas the sinks of oxygen were evaluated through the organic matter remineralization, using the apparent oxygen utilization (AOU). The contributions of major source waters to the Arabian Sea viz. Indian Deep water (dIDW), Indian Central water (ICW), Persian Gulf Water (PGW) and Red Sea Water (RSW) have been quantified through the eOMP analysis which shows that the PGW and RSW are significant for the eastward shift of ASOMZ instead of voluminous ICW and dIDW. The distribution of Net Primary Production (NPP) and AOU clearly suggest the transport of organic detritus from the highly productive western Arabian Sea to its eastern counterpart which adds to the eastward shifting of ASOMZ. A revised estimate of the seasonal variation of areal extent and volume occupied by ASOMZ through analysis of latest available data reveals a distinct intensification of ASOMZ by 30% and increase in its volume by 5% during the spring-summer transition. However, during this seasonal transition the productivity in the Arabian Sea shows 100% increase in mean NPP. This disparity between ASOMZ and monsoonal variation of productivity is the other part of the paradox, which has been constrained through apparent oxygen utilization, Net Primary Production along with a variation of core depths of source waters. This study reveals a subtle balance between the circulation of marginal oxygen-rich water masses from the western Arabian Sea and organic matter remineralization in the eastern Arabian Sea in different seasons that explains the maintenance of ASOMZ throughout the year.

Natural dissolved organic matter dynamics in karstic aquifer: O'Leno Sink-Rise system, Florida, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, J.; Zimmerman, A. R.

2010-12-01

Natural dissolved organic matter (NDOM) dynamics in karstic aquifer remain poorly understood due to the inaccessibility and heterogeneity of the subsurface. Because the Santa Fe River sinks into the Floridan Aquifer and emerges 6 km down gradient, the O'Leno Sink-Rise system in Northern Florida provides an ideal setting to study NDOM transformation in groundwater. Water samples were collected at both high and low temporal resolutions over 3 years from the River Sink, Rise, and a series of shallow and deep wells. Analyses of dissolved organic and inorganic carbon, stable isotopic, and spectrophotometry (excitation-emission matrix or EEM) show that reversals of hydrologic head gradient in the conduit and matrix are closely related to the delivery of NDOM to the aquifer. In addition, the relative influence of biotic and abiotic processes varies along spatiotemporal gradients; regions of the aquifer with greatest connectivity to surface water (new NDOM and terminal electron acceptor supply) see the most microbial transformation of NDOM, while those with least connectivity see relatively greater abiotic transformation of NDOM. A source water mixing model was established for the Sink-Rise system using Mg2+ and SO42- concentrations from three end-members identified as allogenic recharge, upwelling deep water, and shallow groundwater of the Upper Floridan Aquifer. Biogeochemical processes were quantified after accounting for changes that occurred due to source water mixing, according to the model. In addition to NDOM remineralization by subsurface microbes which occurred mostly during wet periods, adsorption of NDOM onto aquifer materials as well as release of NDOM from aquifer materials was also observed. During wet periods when DOC-rich conduit water entered the matrix, progressive NDOM remineralization was found along the preferential flow paths from the conduits into the matrices. Both biotic and abiotic NDOM transformation processes were found to control channel dissolution and thus the subsurface geomorphology, all of which are linked to hydrology and climate patterns.

Microbial and biogeochernical processes Soda Lake, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Oremland, R.S.; Cloern, J.E.; Sofer, Z.; Smith, R.L.; Culbertson, C.W.; Zehr, J.; Miller, L.; Cole, B.; Harvey, R.; Iversen, N.; Klug, M.; Des Marais, D J; Rau, G.

1988-01-01

Meromictic, alkaline lakes represent modern-day analogues of lacustrine source rock depositional environments. In order to further our understanding of how these lakes function in terms of limnological and biogeochemical processes, we have conducted an interdisciplinary study of Big Soda Lake. Annual mixolimnion productivity (ca. 500 g m-2) is dominated by a winter diatom bloom (60% of annual) caused by upward transport of ammonia to the epilimnion. The remainder of productivity is attributable to chemoautotrophs (30%) and photosynthetic bacteria (10%) present at the oxic -anoxic interface from May to November. Studies of bacterial heterotrophy and particulate fluxes in the water column indicate that about 90% of annual productivity is remineralized in the mixolimnion, primarily by fermentative bacteria. However, high rates of sulphate reduction (9-29 mmol m-2 yr-1) occur in the monimolimnion waters, which could remineralize most (if not all) of the primary productivity. This discrepancy has not as yet been fully explained. Low rates of methanogenesis also occur in the monimolimnion waters and sediments. Most of the methane is consumed by anaerobic methane oxidation occurring in the monimolimnion water column. Other bacterial processes occurring in the lake are also discussed. Preliminary studies have been made on the organic geochemistry of the monimolimnion sediments. Carbon-14-dating indicates a lower depositional rate prior to meromixis and a downcore enrichment in 13C of organic carbon and chlorophyll derivatives. Hydrous pyrolysis experiments indicate that the sediment organic matter is almost entirely derived from the water column with little or no contribution from terrestrial sources. The significance of the organics released by hydrous pyrolysis is discussed.

Photodissolution of soil organic matter

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mayer, L.M.; Thornton, K.R.; Schick, L.L.; Jastrow, J.D.; Harden, J.W.

2012-01-01

Sunlight has been shown to enhance loss of organic matter from aquatic sediments and terrestrial plant litter, so we tested for similar reactions in mineral soil horizons. Losses of up to a third of particulate organic carbon occurred after continuous exposure to full-strength sunlight for dozens of hours, with similar amounts appearing as photodissolved organic carbon. Nitrogen dissolved similarly, appearing partly as ammonium. Modified experiments with interruption of irradiation to include extended dark incubation periods increased loss of total organic carbon, implying remineralization by some combination of light and microbes. These photodissolution reactions respond strongly to water content, with reaction extent under air-dry to fully wet conditions increasing by a factor of 3-4 fold. Light limitation was explored using lamp intensity and soil depth experiments. Reaction extent varied linearly with lamp intensity. Depth experiments indicate that attenuation of reaction occurs within the top tens to hundreds of micrometers of soil depth. Our data allow only order-of-magnitude extrapolations to field conditions, but suggest that this type of reaction could induce loss of 10-20% of soil organic carbon in the top 10. cm horizon over a century. It may therefore have contributed to historical losses of soil carbon via agriculture, and should be considered in soil management on similar time scales. ?? 2011 Elsevier B.V.

Influences of kerogen-rich bedrock on the molecular and isotopic composition of modern soils; implications for global C cycling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longbottom, T. L.; Hockaday, W. C.

2016-12-01

Kerogen represents the largest terrestrial organic carbon (OC) reservoir on earth and is vulnerable to remineralization upon exposure to earth's atmosphere. Oxidative weathering of ancient sedimentary organic matter is an immensely transformative process with poorly-constrained mechanisms and flux values in contemporary carbon cycle models. The weathered residuum of organic-rich mudrocks serves as parent material for many modern soils, and it is likely that the structure and dynamics of the resulting soil organic matter pool is inherited directly from kerogen-rich bedrock. We used a combination of solid-state 13-C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and carbon isotope techniques to describe molecular and isotopic changes that occur throughout oxidative weathering of marine kerogens, and the subsequent formation of modern soils, in two outcropping Cretaceous mudstones of the Eagle Ford and Pepper Formations in central, TX. Gradational production of O-containing functionalities was observed, coupled with reductions in characteristically abundant polymethylenic components of type II kerogens. Organic matter structural parameters, derived from C-H dephasing NMR experiments, also provide the basis for a novel weathering index that accounts for the degree of post-sedimentary diagenetic alteration of samples along the kerogen-soil continuum. Molecular and isotopic mixing models were employed in estimating the proportions of modern and ancient C in soils, as increased incorporation and vulnerability of ancient OC under climatic shifts in temperature and/or precipitation is likely.

Hydroxyapatite-anchored dendrimer for in situ remineralization of human tooth enamel.

PubMed

Wu, Duo; Yang, Jiaojiao; Li, Jiyao; Chen, Liang; Tang, Bei; Chen, Xingyu; Wu, Wei; Li, Jianshu

2013-07-01

In situ remineralization of hydroxyapatite (HA) on human tooth enamel surface induced by organic matrices is of great interest in the fields of material science and stomatology. In order to mimic the organic matrices induced biomineralization process in developing enamel and enhance the binding strength at the remineralization interface, carboxyl-terminated poly(amido amine) (PAMAM-COOH)-alendronate (ALN) conjugate (ALN-PAMAM-COOH) was synthesized and characterized. PAMAM-COOH has a highly ordered architecture and is capable of promoting the HA crystallization process. ALN is conjugated on PAMAM-COOH due to its specific adsorption on HA (the main component of tooth enamel), resulting in increased binding strength which is tight enough to resist phosphate buffered saline (PBS) rinsing as compared with that of PAMAM-COOH alone. While incubated in artificial saliva, ALN-PAMAM-COOH could induce in situ remineralization of HA on acid-etched enamel, and the regenerated HA has the nanorod-like crystal structure similar to that of human tooth enamel. The hardness of acid-etched enamel samples treated by ALN-PAMAM-COOH can recover up to 95.5% of the original value with strong adhesion force. In vivo experiment also demonstrates that ALN-PAMAM-COOH is effective in repairing acid-etched enamel in the oral cavity. Overall, these results suggest that ALN-PAMAM-COOH is highly promising as a restorative biomaterial for in situ remineralization of human tooth enamel. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reactive-transport modeling of iron diagenesis and associated organic carbon remineralization in a Florida (USA) subterranean estuary

USGS Publications Warehouse

Roy, Moutusi; Martin, Jonathan B.; Smith, Christopher G.; Cable, Jaye E.

2011-01-01

Iron oxides are important terminal electron acceptors for organic carbon (OC) remineralization in subterranean estuaries, particularly where oxygen and nitrate concentrations are low. In Indian River Lagoon, Florida, USA, terrestrial Fe-oxides dissolve at the seaward edge of the seepage face and flow upward into overlying marine sediments where they precipitate as Fe-sulfides. The dissolved Fe concentrations vary by over three orders of magnitude, but Fe-oxide dissolution rates are similar across the 25-m wide seepage face, averaging around 0.21 mg/cm2/yr. The constant dissolution rate, but differing concentrations, indicate Fe dissolution is controlled by a combination of increasing lability of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and slower porewater flow velocities with distance offshore. In contrast, the average rate constants of Fe-sulfide precipitation decrease from 21.9 × 10-8 s-1 to 0.64 × 10-8 s-1 from the shoreline to the seaward edge of the seepage face as more oxygenated surface water circulates through the sediment. The amount of OC remineralized by Fe-oxides varies little across the seepage face, averaging 5.34 × 10-2 mg/cm2/yr. These rates suggest about 3.4 kg of marine DOC was remineralized in a 1-m wide, shore-perpendicular strip of the seepage face as the terrestrial sediments were transgressed over the past 280 years. During this time, about 10 times more marine solid organic carbon (SOC) accumulated in marine sediments than were removed from the underlying terrestrial sediments. Indian River Lagoon thus appears to be a net sink for marine OC.

Understanding shallow gas occurrences in the Gulf of Lions

USGS Publications Warehouse

Garcia-Garcia, Ana; Tesi, Tommaso; Orange, Daniel L.; Lorenson, T.; Miserocchi, Stefano; Langone, L.; Herbert, I.; Dougherty, J.

2007-01-01

New coring data have been acquired along the western Gulf of Lions showing anomalous concentrations of methane (up to 95,700 ppm) off the Rho??ne prodelta and the head of the southern canyons Lacaze-Duthiers and Cap de Creus. Sediment cores were acquired with box and kasten cores during 2004-2005 on several EuroSTRATAFORM cruises. Anomalous methane concentrations are discussed and integrated with organic carbon data. Sampled sites include locations where previous surveys identified acoustic anomalies in high-resolution seismic profiles, which may be related to the presence of gas. Interpretation of the collected data has enabled us to discuss the nature of shallow gas along the Gulf of Lions, and its association with recent sedimentary dynamics. The Rho??ne prodelta flood deposits deliver significant amounts of terrigenous organic matter that can be rapidly buried, effectively removing this organic matter from aerobic oxidation and biological uptake, and leading to the potential for methanogenesis with burial. Away from the flood-related sediments off the Rho??ne delta, the organic matter is being reworked and remineralized on its way along the western coast of the Gulf of Lions, with the result that the recent deposits in the canyon contain little reactive carbon. In the southernmost canyons, Lacaze-Duthiers and Cap de Creus, the gas analyses show relatively little shallow gas in the core samples. Samples with anomalous gas (up to 5,000 ppm methane) are limited to local areas where the samples also show higher amounts of organic matter. The anomalous samples at the head of the southern canyons may be related to methanogenesis of recent drape or of older sidewall canyon infills. ?? Springer-Verlag 2007.

Marine N2O Emissions From Nitrification and Denitrification Constrained by Modern Observations and Projected in Multimillennial Global Warming Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Battaglia, G.; Joos, F.

2018-01-01

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) and ozone destructing agent; yet global estimates of N2O emissions are uncertain. Marine N2O stems from nitrification and denitrification processes which depend on organic matter cycling and dissolved oxygen (O2). We introduce N2O as an obligate intermediate product of denitrification and as an O2-dependent by-product from nitrification in the Bern3D ocean model. A large model ensemble is used to probabilistically constrain modern and to project marine N2O production for a low (Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP)2.6) and high GHG (RCP8.5) scenario extended to A.D. 10,000. Water column N2O and surface ocean partial pressure N2O data serve as constraints in this Bayesian framework. The constrained median for modern N2O production is 4.5 (±1σ range: 3.0 to 6.1) Tg N yr-1, where 4.5% stems from denitrification. Modeled denitrification is 65.1 (40.9 to 91.6) Tg N yr-1, well within current estimates. For high GHG forcing, N2O production decreases by 7.7% over this century due to decreasing organic matter export and remineralization. Thereafter, production increases slowly by 21% due to widespread deoxygenation and high remineralization. Deoxygenation peaks in two millennia, and the global O2 inventory is reduced by a factor of 2 compared to today. Net denitrification is responsible for 7.8% of the long-term increase in N2O production. On millennial timescales, marine N2O emissions constitute a small, positive feedback to climate change. Our simulations reveal tight coupling between the marine carbon cycle, O2, N2O, and climate.

Methyl mercury distributions in relation to the presence of nano- and picophytoplankton in an oceanic water column (Ligurian Sea, North-western Mediterranean)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heimbürger, Lars-Eric; Cossa, Daniel; Marty, Jean-Claude; Migon, Christophe; Averty, Bernard; Dufour, Aurélie; Ras, Josephine

2010-10-01

Recent findings on the distribution of methylated mercury (MeHg T) in waters have highlighted the importance of organic carbon remineralization on the production of these compounds in the open ocean. Here, we present the first time-series (20 monthly samplings between July 2007 and May 2009) of high-resolution vertical profiles (10-12 depths in a 2350 m water column) of MeHg T distributions in an open ocean environment, the Ligurian Sea (North-western Mediterranean Sea). Concentrations varied within the sub-picomolar range (general mean: 0.30 ± 0.17 pmol L -1, n = 214) with the lowest values at the surface, increasing with depth up to the oxygen minimum zone, and decreasing slowly at greater depth. Concentrations in the surface waters never exceeded 0.15 pmol L -1, while the highest concentrations (up to 0.82 pmol L -1) were associated to the hypoxycline during the autumn bloom. A detailed vertical MeHg T profile reveals a "double-peak" pattern, coincidental with the two microbial layers described by Tanaka and Rassoulzadegan (2002), the so-called "microbial food web" in the euphotic zone (<100 m) and the "microbial loop" in the aphotic zone (>100 m). Temporal variations in the MeHg T abundance and distribution in the water column were linked to seasonality. The highest MeHg T concentrations were found in the oxygen minimum zone during the period of stratification, and coincide with the greatest abundance of nano- and picophytoplankton (cyanobacteria, nanoflagellates, etc.) in the euphotic layer. None of our deep MeHg T measurements (˜100 m above the sea bottom) revealed a significant sedimentary source of MeHg T. We explored the correlation between MeHg T concentrations and the apparent oxygen utilization, a proxy of organic matter remineralization, over the study period. Results of this study strengthen the hypothesis that net mercury methylation in the open ocean occurs in the water column, is linked to organic matter regeneration, and is promoted by the presence of small-sized nano- and picophytoplankton, that dominate under oligotrophic conditions.

The roles of resuspension, diffusion and biogeochemical processes on oxygen dynamics offshore of the Rhône River, France: a numerical modeling study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moriarty, Julia M.; Harris, Courtney K.; Fennel, Katja; Friedrichs, Marjorie A. M.; Xu, Kehui; Rabouille, Christophe

2017-04-01

Observations indicate that resuspension and associated fluxes of organic material and porewater between the seabed and overlying water can alter biogeochemical dynamics in some environments, but measuring the role of sediment processes on oxygen and nutrient dynamics is challenging. A modeling approach offers a means of quantifying these fluxes for a range of conditions, but models have typically relied on simplifying assumptions regarding seabed-water-column interactions. Thus, to evaluate the role of resuspension on biogeochemical dynamics, we developed a coupled hydrodynamic, sediment transport, and biogeochemical model (HydroBioSed) within the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS). This coupled model accounts for processes including the storage of particulate organic matter (POM) and dissolved nutrients within the seabed; fluxes of this material between the seabed and the water column via erosion, deposition, and diffusion at the sediment-water interface; and biogeochemical reactions within the seabed. A one-dimensional version of HydroBioSed was then implemented for the Rhône subaqueous delta in France. To isolate the role of resuspension on biogeochemical dynamics, this model implementation was run for a 2-month period that included three resuspension events; also, the supply of organic matter, oxygen, and nutrients to the model was held constant in time. Consistent with time series observations from the Rhône Delta, model results showed that erosion increased the diffusive flux of oxygen into the seabed by increasing the vertical gradient of oxygen at the seabed-water interface. This enhanced supply of oxygen to the seabed, as well as resuspension-induced increases in ammonium availability in surficial sediments, allowed seabed oxygen consumption to increase via nitrification. This increase in nitrification compensated for the decrease in seabed oxygen consumption due to aerobic remineralization that occurred as organic matter was entrained into the water column. Additionally, entrainment of POM into the water column during resuspension events, and the associated increase in remineralization there, also increased oxygen consumption in the region of the water column below the pycnocline. During these resuspension events, modeled rates of oxygen consumption increased by factors of up to ˜ 2 and ˜ 8 in the seabed and below the pycnocline, respectively. When averaged over 2 months, the intermittent cycles of erosion and deposition led to a ˜ 16 % increase of oxygen consumption in the seabed, as well as a larger increase of ˜ 140 % below the pycnocline. These results imply that observations collected during quiescent periods, and biogeochemical models that neglect resuspension or use typical parameterizations for resuspension, may underestimate net oxygen consumption at sites like the Rhône Delta. Local resuspension likely has the most pronounced effect on oxygen dynamics at study sites with a high oxygen concentration in bottom waters, only a thin seabed oxic layer, and abundant labile organic matter.

Response of Bacterial Communities to Different Detritus Compositions in Arctic Deep-Sea Sediments.

PubMed

Hoffmann, Katy; Hassenrück, Christiane; Salman-Carvalho, Verena; Holtappels, Moritz; Bienhold, Christina

2017-01-01

Benthic deep-sea communities are largely dependent on particle flux from surface waters. In the Arctic Ocean, environmental changes occur more rapidly than in other ocean regions, and have major effects on the export of organic matter to the deep sea. Because bacteria constitute the majority of deep-sea benthic biomass and influence global element cycles, it is important to better understand how changes in organic matter input will affect bacterial communities at the Arctic seafloor. In a multidisciplinary ex situ experiment, benthic bacterial deep-sea communities from the Long-Term Ecological Research Observatory HAUSGARTEN were supplemented with different types of habitat-related detritus (chitin, Arctic algae) and incubated for 23 days under in situ conditions. Chitin addition caused strong changes in community activity, while community structure remained similar to unfed control incubations. In contrast, the addition of phytodetritus resulted in strong changes in community composition, accompanied by increased community activity, indicating the need for adaptation in these treatments. High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and 16S rRNA revealed distinct taxonomic groups of potentially fast-growing, opportunistic bacteria in the different detritus treatments. Compared to the unfed control, Colwelliaceae, Psychromonadaceae , and Oceanospirillaceae increased in relative abundance in the chitin treatment, whereas Flavobacteriaceae, Marinilabiaceae , and Pseudoalteromonadaceae increased in the phytodetritus treatments. Hence, these groups may constitute indicator taxa for the different organic matter sources at this study site. In summary, differences in community structure and in the uptake and remineralization of carbon in the different treatments suggest an effect of organic matter quality on bacterial diversity as well as on carbon turnover at the seafloor, an important feedback mechanism to be considered in future climate change scenarios.

Response of Bacterial Communities to Different Detritus Compositions in Arctic Deep-Sea Sediments

PubMed Central

Hoffmann, Katy; Hassenrück, Christiane; Salman-Carvalho, Verena; Holtappels, Moritz; Bienhold, Christina

2017-01-01

Benthic deep-sea communities are largely dependent on particle flux from surface waters. In the Arctic Ocean, environmental changes occur more rapidly than in other ocean regions, and have major effects on the export of organic matter to the deep sea. Because bacteria constitute the majority of deep-sea benthic biomass and influence global element cycles, it is important to better understand how changes in organic matter input will affect bacterial communities at the Arctic seafloor. In a multidisciplinary ex situ experiment, benthic bacterial deep-sea communities from the Long-Term Ecological Research Observatory HAUSGARTEN were supplemented with different types of habitat-related detritus (chitin, Arctic algae) and incubated for 23 days under in situ conditions. Chitin addition caused strong changes in community activity, while community structure remained similar to unfed control incubations. In contrast, the addition of phytodetritus resulted in strong changes in community composition, accompanied by increased community activity, indicating the need for adaptation in these treatments. High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and 16S rRNA revealed distinct taxonomic groups of potentially fast-growing, opportunistic bacteria in the different detritus treatments. Compared to the unfed control, Colwelliaceae, Psychromonadaceae, and Oceanospirillaceae increased in relative abundance in the chitin treatment, whereas Flavobacteriaceae, Marinilabiaceae, and Pseudoalteromonadaceae increased in the phytodetritus treatments. Hence, these groups may constitute indicator taxa for the different organic matter sources at this study site. In summary, differences in community structure and in the uptake and remineralization of carbon in the different treatments suggest an effect of organic matter quality on bacterial diversity as well as on carbon turnover at the seafloor, an important feedback mechanism to be considered in future climate change scenarios. PMID:28286496

Comparative evaluation of enamel remineralization potential of processed cheese, calcium phosphate-based synthetic agent, and a fluoride-containing toothpaste: An in situ study.

PubMed

Grewal, Navneet; Gumber, Samita; Kaur, Nirapjeet

2017-01-01

Enamel remineralization potential of variety of products has been established, but there is a lack of evidence of comparison of remineralization potential of natural versus synthetic products. The aim of this study was to compare the enamel remineralization potential of saliva, cheese, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP)-based synthetic agent, and fluoride toothpaste. In situ study was carried out on sixty individuals who wore an intraoral appliance containing demineralized enamel slabs for each agent. One out of six slabs was kept as a control so as to record the baseline values (neither subjected to demineralization nor remineralization). Experimental agents were applied on the designated enamel slabs on day 1, 4, 7, and 10 with a crossover wash out period of 7 days. Quantitative values of mineral content of slab were measured using energy dispersive X-ray and qualitative changes in surface topography of slab were seen under scanning electron microscope at ×20K magnification. Highly significant changes from baseline values were seen in calcium and phosphorus content of slabs treated with cheese and CPP-ACP-based agent whereas levels of fluoride were significantly higher in enamel slabs treated with fluoride-containing toothpaste. Cheese is an organic, economical, and user-friendly option over prescribed synthetic agents. A synergistic effect of fluoride-containing toothpaste with intake of cheese could be a good enamel remineralization protocol.

Variable C : N : P stoichiometry of dissolved organic matter cycling in the Community Earth System Model

DOE PAGES

Letscher, R. T.; Moore, J. K.; Teng, Y. -C.; ...

2015-01-12

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in the ocean's biological carbon pump by providing an advective/mixing pathway for ~ 20% of export production. DOM is known to have a stoichiometry depleted in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) compared to the particulate organic matter pool, a fact that is often omitted from biogeochemical ocean general circulation models. However the variable C : N : P stoichiometry of DOM becomes important when quantifying carbon export from the upper ocean and linking the nutrient cycles of N and P with that of carbon. Here we utilize recent advances in DOM observationalmore » data coverage and offline tracer-modeling techniques to objectively constrain the variable production and remineralization rates of the DOM C : N : P pools in a simple biogeochemical-ocean model of DOM cycling. The optimized DOM cycling parameters are then incorporated within the Biogeochemical Elemental Cycling (BEC) component of the Community Earth System Model (CESM) and validated against the compilation of marine DOM observations. The optimized BEC simulation including variable DOM C : N : P cycling was found to better reproduce the observed DOM spatial gradients than simulations that used the canonical Redfield ratio. Global annual average export of dissolved organic C, N, and P below 100 m was found to be 2.28 Pg C yr -1 (143 Tmol C yr -1, 16.4 Tmol N yr -1, and 1 Tmol P yr -1, respectively, with an average export C : N : P stoichiometry of 225 : 19 : 1 for the semilabile (degradable) DOM pool. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) export contributed ~ 25% of the combined organic C export to depths greater than 100 m.« less

Warm ocean processes and carbon cycling in the Eocene.

PubMed

John, Eleanor H; Pearson, Paul N; Coxall, Helen K; Birch, Heather; Wade, Bridget S; Foster, Gavin L

2013-10-28

Sea surface and subsurface temperatures over large parts of the ocean during the Eocene epoch (55.5-33.7 Ma) exceeded modern values by several degrees, which must have affected a number of oceanic processes. Here, we focus on the effect of elevated water column temperatures on the efficiency of the biological pump, particularly in relation to carbon and nutrient cycling. We use stable isotope values from exceptionally well-preserved planktonic foraminiferal calcite from Tanzania and Mexico to reconstruct vertical carbon isotope gradients in the upper water column, exploiting the fact that individual species lived and calcified at different depths. The oxygen isotope ratios of different species' tests are used to estimate the temperature of calcification, which we converted to absolute depths using Eocene temperature profiles generated by general circulation models. This approach, along with potential pitfalls, is illustrated using data from modern core-top assemblages from the same area. Our results indicate that, during the Early and Middle Eocene, carbon isotope gradients were steeper (and larger) through the upper thermocline than in the modern ocean. This is consistent with a shallower average depth of organic matter remineralization and supports previously proposed hypotheses that invoke high metabolic rates in a warm Eocene ocean, leading to more efficient recycling of organic matter and reduced burial rates of organic carbon.

How do natural, uncultivated microbes interact with organic matter? Insights from single cell genomics and metagenomics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lloyd, K. G.; Bird, J.; Schreiber, L.; Petersen, D.; Kjeldsen, K.; Schramm, A.; Stepanauskas, R.; Jørgensen, B. B.

2013-12-01

Since most of the microbes in marine sediments remain uncultured, little is known about the mechanisms by which these natural communities degrade organic matter (OM). Likewise, little is known about the make-up of labile OM in marine sediments beyond general functional classes such as proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, measured as monomers. However, microbes have complex interactions with specific polymers within these functional classes, which can be indicated by a microbe's enzymatic toolkit. We found that four single cell genomes of archaea have very different peptidase compositions than four single cells of bacteria, suggesting that archaea and bacteria may play different roles in OM degradation. We also found that predicted extracellular cysteine peptidases, which require chemically reducing conditions, were common in IMG database metagenomes from marine sediments, and absent in those from seawater. This suggests that the pathways, and not just the rates, of OM degradation may differ between seawater and sediments. By comparing enzyme classes in different organisms, or in different types of marine environments, we present an emerging view of the microbial potential for specific carbon remineralization pathways in marine sediments. In addition, the methods we present hold promise for characterizing OM degradation in any environment where genomic information is available.

Early diagenesis in the Congo deep-sea fan sediments dominated by massive terrigenous deposits: Part I - Oxygen consumption and organic carbon mineralization using a micro-electrode approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pozzato, Lara; Cathalot, Cécile; Berrached, Chabha; Toussaint, Flora; Stetten, Elsa; Caprais, Jean-Claude; Pastor, Lucie; Olu, Karine; Rabouille, Christophe

2017-08-01

Organic matter (OM) transfer from the continent to the ocean occurs across margins which constitute a major area of OM recycling and burial. The lobe complex of the Congo deep-sea fan is connected to the river mouth by a canyon and alimented by recurrent turbidity currents, containing a large proportion of labile terrigenous OM and producing high sedimentation rates. These inputs support the development of ecosystems harboring rich assemblages of vesicomyid bivalves and bacterial mats, called Habitats. Here, we present O2 microprofiles and diffusive oxygen uptake rates (DOUs) obtained during the CONGOLOBE project at six sites of this active lobe complex by in situ and on-board methods based on micro-electrode profiling. The dataset is used to determine remineralization rates and study the biogeochemical dynamics of different ecosystems of the lobe area, in order to compare levee and background sediments to the Habitats developed on the flanks of the main turbiditic channel. Levee and background sediments are characterized by significantly higher DOUs than abyssal sediments at 5000 m meters depth (2-5 mmol O2 m-2 d-1versus 1.5-2.5 mmol O2 m-2 d-1) and the Habitats are hotspots of OM remineralization with DOU values ranging between 8 and 40 mmol O2 m-2 d-1. By comparing sites near the active channel to a site located 50 km away, we show that the lobe connection to the main turbiditic channel is vital to the dense benthic communities.

Variable C : N : P stoichiometry of dissolved organic matter cycling in the Community Earth System Model

DOE PAGES

Letscher, R. T.; Moore, J. K.; Teng, Y. -C.; ...

2014-06-16

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in the ocean's biological carbon pump by providing an advective/mixing pathway for ~ 20% of export production. DOM is known to have a stoichiometry depleted in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) compared to the particulate organic matter pool, a~fact that is often omitted from biogeochemical-ocean general circulation models. However the variable C : N : P stoichiometry of DOM becomes important when quantifying carbon export from the upper ocean and linking the nutrient cycles of N and P with that of carbon. Here we utilize recent advances in DOM observational data coveragemore » and offline tracer-modeling techniques to objectively constrain the variable production and remineralization rates of the DOM C / N / P pools in a simple biogeochemical-ocean model of DOM cycling. The optimized DOM cycling parameters are then incorporated within the Biogeochemical Elemental Cycling (BEC) component of the Community Earth System Model and validated against the compilation of marine DOM observations. The optimized BEC simulation including variable DOM C : N : P cycling was found to better reproduce the observed DOM spatial gradients than simulations that used the canonical Redfield ratio. Global annual average export of dissolved organic C, N, and P below 100 m was found to be 2.28 Pg C yr -1 (143 Tmol C yr -1), 16.4 Tmol N yr -1, and 1 Tmol P yr -1, respectively with an average export C : N : P stoichiometry of 225 : 19 : 1 for the semilabile (degradable) DOM pool. DOC export contributed ~ 25% of the combined organic C export to depths greater than 100 m.« less

Dose-dependent regulation of microbial activity on sinking particles by polyunsaturated aldehydes: Implications for the carbon cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edwards, Bethanie R.; Bidle, Kay D.; Van Mooy, Benjamin A. S.

2015-05-01

Diatoms and other phytoplankton play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle, fixing CO2 into organic carbon, which may then be exported to depth via sinking particles. The molecular diversity of this organic carbon is vast and many highly bioactive molecules have been identified. Polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs) are bioactive on various levels of the marine food web, and yet the potential for these molecules to affect the fate of organic carbon produced by diatoms remains an open question. In this study, the effects of PUAs on the natural microbial assemblages associated with sinking particles were investigated. Sinking particles were collected from 150 m in the water column and exposed to varying concentrations of PUAs in dark incubations over 24 h. PUA doses ranging from 1 to 10 µM stimulated respiration, organic matter hydrolysis, and cell growth by bacteria associated with sinking particles. PUA dosages near 100 µM appeared to be toxic, resulting in decreased bacterial cell abundance and metabolism, as well as pronounced shifts in bacterial community composition. Sinking particles were hot spots for PUA production that contained concentrations within the stimulatory micromolar range in contrast to previously reported picomolar concentrations of these compounds in bulk seawater. This suggests PUAs produced in situ stimulate the remineralization of phytoplankton-derived sinking organic matter, decreasing carbon export efficiency, and shoaling the average depths of nutrient regeneration. Our results are consistent with a "bioactivity hypothesis" for explaining variations in carbon export efficiency in the oceans.

Dose-dependent regulation of microbial activity on sinking particles by polyunsaturated aldehydes: Implications for the carbon cycle.

PubMed

Edwards, Bethanie R; Bidle, Kay D; Van Mooy, Benjamin A S

2015-05-12

Diatoms and other phytoplankton play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle, fixing CO2 into organic carbon, which may then be exported to depth via sinking particles. The molecular diversity of this organic carbon is vast and many highly bioactive molecules have been identified. Polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs) are bioactive on various levels of the marine food web, and yet the potential for these molecules to affect the fate of organic carbon produced by diatoms remains an open question. In this study, the effects of PUAs on the natural microbial assemblages associated with sinking particles were investigated. Sinking particles were collected from 150 m in the water column and exposed to varying concentrations of PUAs in dark incubations over 24 h. PUA doses ranging from 1 to 10 µM stimulated respiration, organic matter hydrolysis, and cell growth by bacteria associated with sinking particles. PUA dosages near 100 µM appeared to be toxic, resulting in decreased bacterial cell abundance and metabolism, as well as pronounced shifts in bacterial community composition. Sinking particles were hot spots for PUA production that contained concentrations within the stimulatory micromolar range in contrast to previously reported picomolar concentrations of these compounds in bulk seawater. This suggests PUAs produced in situ stimulate the remineralization of phytoplankton-derived sinking organic matter, decreasing carbon export efficiency, and shoaling the average depths of nutrient regeneration. Our results are consistent with a "bioactivity hypothesis" for explaining variations in carbon export efficiency in the oceans.

Tooth enamel remineralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arends, J.; Ten Cate, J. M.

1981-05-01

In this paper a survey is given on tooth remineralization from remineralizing solutions and from saliva. The substrate, sound tooth enamel, is described from a chemical as well as from an ultrastructural point of view. Because saliva plays a crucial role in in vivo remineralizations, the most relevant properties of saliva, such as the thermodynamic stabilities with respect to calcium phosphates of interest, are considered. Tooth remineralization can be divided into three main types: lesion remineralization, surface softened remineralization and etched enamel remineralization. The main emphasis in this survey is given to lesion and surface softened remineralization which are the most important from a practical view point. In these two cases, the reaction order, the activation energy and the mechanism are discussed as well as the ultrastructure of remineralized material, the influence of various agents (especially F -)and differences between in vitro and in vivo data.

Nondestructive monitoring of the repair of enamel artificial lesions by an acidic remineralization model using polarization – sensitive optical coherence tomography

PubMed Central

Kang, Hobin; Darling, Cynthia L.; Fried, Daniel

2011-01-01

Objectives It is difficult to completely remineralize carious lesions because diffusion into the interior of the lesion is inhibited as new mineral is deposited in the outermost layers. In previous remineralization studies employing polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT), two models of remineralization were employed and in both models there was preferential deposition of mineral in the outer most layer. In this study we attempted to remineralize the entire lesion using an acidic remineralization model and demonstrate that this remineralization can be monitored using PS-OCT. Methods Artificial lesions approximately 100–150 µm in-depth were exposed to an acidic remineralization regimen and the integrated reflectivity from the lesions was measured before and after remineralization using PS-OCT. Results Automated integration routines worked well for assessing the integrated reflectivity for the lesion areas after remineralization. Although there was a high degree of remineralization, there was still incomplete remineralization of the body of the lesion. Conclusion This study demonstrated that PS-OCT can be used to non-destructively measure changes in lesion structure and severity upon exposure to an acidic remineralization model. This study also demonstrated that automated algorithms can be used to assess the lesion severity even with the presence of a weakly reflective surface zone. PMID:22204914

Biogeochemical responses of the carbon cycle to natural and human perturbations: Past, present, and future

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ver, L.M.B.; Mackenzie, F.T.; Lerman, A.

In the past three centuries, human perturbations of the environment have affected the biogeochemical behavior of the global carbon cycle and that of the other three nutrient elements closely coupled to carbon: nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. The partitioning of anthropogenic CO{sub 2} among its various sinks in the past, for the present, and for projections into the near future is controlled by the interactions of these four elemental cycles within the major environmental domains of the land, atmosphere, coastal oceanic zone, and open ocean. The authors analyze the past, present, and future behavior of the global carbon cycle using themore » Terrestrial-Ocean-aTmosphere Ecosystem Model (TOTEM), a unique process-based model of the four global coupled biogeochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. They find that during the past 300 yrs, anthropogenic CO{sub 2} was mainly stored in the atmosphere and in the open ocean. Human activities on land caused an enhanced loss of mass from the terrestrial organic matter reservoirs (phytomass and humus) mainly through deforestation and consequently increased humus remineralization, erosion, and transport to the coastal margins by rivers and runoff. Photosynthetic uptake by the terrestrial phytomass was enhanced owing to fertilization by increasing atmospheric CO{sub 2} concentrations and supported by nutrients remineralized from organic matter. TOTEM results indicate that through most of the past 300 yrs, the loss of C from deforestation and other land-use activities was greater than the gain from the enhanced photosynthetic uptake. Since pre-industrial time (since 1700), the net flux of CO{sub 2} from the coastal waters has decreased by 40%, from 0.20 Gt C/yr to 0.12 Gt C/yr. TOTEM analyses of atmospheric CO{sub 2} concentrations for the 21st century were based on the fossil-fuel emission projections of IPCC (business as usual scenario) and of the more restrictive UN 1997 Kyoto Protocol. By the mid-21st century, the projected atmospheric CO{sub 2} concentrations range from about 550 ppmv (TOTEM, based on IPCC projected emissions) to 510 ppmv (IPCC projection) and to 460 ppmv (TOTEM, based on the Kyoto Protocol reduced emissions).« less

Microbial community profiles and microbial carbon cycling in Orca Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hyde, A.; Teske, A.; Joye, S. B.; Montoya, J. P.; Nigro, L.

2016-12-01

Orca Basin is the largest seafloor brine pools in the world, covering over 400 km2 and reaching brine layer depths of 200 m. The brine pool contains water 8 times denser than the overlying seawater and is separated from the overlying water column by a sharp pycnocline that prevents vertical mixing. The transition from ambient seawater to brine occurs over 100 m [2150 to 2250 m] and is characterized by distinct changes in temperature, salinity, chemical conditions, oxygen, and organic matter concentration. The sharp brine-seawater interface results in a sharp pycnocline, which serves as a particle trap for sinking marine organic matter. Previous studies have used lipids to show that this organic-rich interface is host to an active microbial community which is potentially involved in deep-sea carbon remineralization and metal-cycling. Additionally, previous work on methane, ethane, and propane concentrations and 13C-isotopic signatures has also implicated the brine pool, as well as the interface, as sources for biogenic low-molecular weight hydrocarbons, resulting from the high concentration of suspended organic matter above and within the brine pool. Here we investigate the profiles of microbial community composition and metabolic potential in Orca Basin, ranging from seawater through the Orca Basin chemocline and into the deep Orca Basin brine. To characterize the microbial community and stratification, we used high-throughput bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA gene sequencing of filtered water above, within, and below the Orca Basin chemocline. Our sequence data shows that three distinct and unique communities exist in the Orca Basin water column. We also use thermodynamic modeling of hydrocarbon degradation to investigate the favorability of C1-C3 hydrocarbon oxidation at the brine-seawater interface and the potential for Orca Basin to serve as a deep-sea hydrocarbon sink.

viral abundance distribution in deep waters of the Northern of South China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Lei; Yin, Kedong

2017-04-01

Little is known about the vertical distribution and interaction of viruses and bacteria in the deep ocean water column. The vertical distribution of viral-like particles and bacterial abundance was investigated in the deep water column in the South China Sea during September 2005 along with salinity, temperature and dissolved oxygen. There were double maxima in the ratio of viral to bacterial abundance (VBR) in the water column: the subsurface maximum located at 50-100 m near the pycnocline layer, and the deep maximum at 800-1000 m. At the subsurface maximum of VBR, both viral and bacterial abundance were maximal in the water column, and at the deep maximum of VBR, both viral and bacterial abundance were low, but bacterial abundance was relatively lower than viral abundance. The subsurface VBR maximum coincided with the subsurface chlorophyll maximum while the deep VBR maximum coincided with the minimum in dissolved oxygen (2.91mg L-1). Therefore, we hypothesize that the two maxima were formed by different mechanisms. The subsurface VBR maximum was formed due to an increase in bacterial abundance resulting from the stimulation of abundant organic supply at the subsurface chlorophyll maximum, whereas the deep VBR maximum was formed due to a decrease in bacterial abundance caused by more limitation of organic matter at the oxygen minimum. The evidence suggests that viruses play an important role in controlling bacterial abundance in the deep water column due to the limitation of organic matter supply. In turn, this slows down the formation of the oxygen minimum in which oxygen may be otherwise lower. The mechanism has a great implication that viruses could control bacterial decomposition of organic matter, oxygen consumption and nutrient remineralization in the deep oceans.

Geochemistry of phosphatic-shales and associated authigenic minerals of the Miocene Monterey Formation: Implications for paragenetic evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sandoval, A.; Loyd, S. J.

2016-12-01

The Monterey Formation is a petroleum source and reservoir rock in California that was deposited in several basins during the tectonically-active Middle Miocene. The middle carbonaceous marl member of the Monterey Formation contains intervals of phosphatic-shales that are rhythmically cemented by dolomite as layers and concretions. Diagenetic minerals can form as the result of organic matter remineralization facilitated by microbes utilizing oxygen, nitrate, iron (III), sulfate and fermentation products as electron acceptors. Precipitation of phosphate and carbonate minerals tends to occur in suboxic-anoxic sediments, generally experiencing sulfate reduction, where degradation of organic matter yields alkalinity, sulfide and phosphate ions. Here, we present sulfur and carbon geochemical data in order to better characterize the conditions that led to the precipitation of phosphorous-rich minerals (e.g., carbonate-fluorapatite (CFA)) and dolomite that occur in close stratigraphic proximity. These data include concentration of CFA-associated sulfate, carbonate associated sulfate (CAS) and the respective δ°S values. The concentration of inorganic/organic carbon and associated δC values have been determined for CFA, dolomite and the host-shale, in order to further characterize the diagenetic environment of precipitation. These data indicate that authigenesis occurred in pore waters influenced by multiple microbial reactions, including respiration and methanogenesis reactions, and ultimately highlight the complexity of the Monterey diagenetic environment.

Nondestructive monitoring of the repair of enamel artificial lesions by an acidic remineralization model using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography.

PubMed

Kang, Hobin; Darling, Cynthia L; Fried, Daniel

2012-05-01

It is difficult to completely remineralize carious lesions because diffusion into the interior of the lesion is inhibited as new mineral is deposited in the outermost layers. In previous remineralization studies employing polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT), two models of remineralization were employed and in both models there was preferential deposition of mineral in the outer most layer. In this study we attempted to remineralize the entire lesion using an acidic remineralization model and demonstrate that this remineralization can be monitored using PS-OCT. Artificial lesions approximately 100-150 μm in-depth were exposed to an acidic remineralization regimen and the integrated reflectivity from the lesions was measured before and after remineralization using PS-OCT. Automated integration routines worked well for assessing the integrated reflectivity for the lesion areas after remineralization. Although there was a high degree of remineralization, there was still incomplete remineralization of the body of the lesion. This study demonstrated that PS-OCT can be used to non-destructively measure changes in lesion structure and severity upon exposure to an acidic remineralization model. This study also demonstrated that automated algorithms can be used to assess the lesion severity even with the presence of a weakly reflective surface zone. Copyright © 2011 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hierarchical structure and mechanical properties of remineralized dentin.

PubMed

Chen, Yi; Wang, Jianming; Sun, Jian; Mao, Caiyun; Wang, Wei; Pan, Haihua; Tang, Ruikang; Gu, Xinhua

2014-12-01

It is widely accepted that the mechanical properties of dentin are significantly determined by its hierarchical structure. The current correlation between the mechanical properties and the hierarchical structure was mainly established by studying altered forms of dentin, which limits the potential outcome of the research. In this study, dentins with three different hierarchical structures were obtained via two different remineralization procedures and at different remineralization stages: (1) a dentin structure with amorphous minerals incorporated into the collagen fibrils, (2) a dentin with crystallized nanominerals incorporated into the collagen fibrils, and (3) a dentin with an out-of-order mineral layer filling the collagen fibrils matrix. Nanoindentation tests were performed to investigate the mechanical behavior of the remineralized dentin slides. The results showed that the incorporation of the crystallized nanominerals into the acid-etched demineralized organic fibrils resulted in a remarkable improvement of the mechanical properties of the dentin. In contrast, for the other two structures, i.e. the amorphous minerals inside the collagen fibrils and the out-of-order mineral layer within the collagen fibrils matrix, the excellent mechanical properties of dentin could not be restored. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Organic matter diagenesis within the water column and surface sediments of the northern Sargasso Sea revealed by lipid biomarkers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conte, M. H.; Pedrosa Pàmies, R.; Weber, J.

2017-12-01

The intensity of particle cycling processes within the mesopelagic and bathypelagic ocean controls the length scale of organic material (OM) remineralization and diagenetic transformations of OM composition through the water column and into the sediments. To elucidate the OM cycling in the oligotrophic North Atlantic gyre, we analyzed lipid biomarkers in the suspended particles (30-4400 m depth, 100 mab), the particle flux (500 m, 1500 m and 3200 m depth), and in the underlying surficial sediments (0-0.5 cm, 4500-4600 m depth) collected at the Oceanic Flux Program (OFP) time series site located 75km SE of Bermuda. Changes in lipid biomarker concentration and composition with depth highlight the rapid remineralization of OM within the upper mesopelagic layer and continuing diagenetic transformations of OM throughout the water column and within surficial sediments. Despite observed similarities in biomarker composition in suspended and sinking particles, results show there are also consistent differences in relative contributions of phytoplankton-, bacterial- and zooplankton-derived sources that are maintained throughout the water column. For example, sinking particles are more depleted in labile biomarkers (e.g. polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)) and more enriched in bacteria-derived biomarkers (e.g. hopanoids and odd/branched fatty acids) and indicators of fecal-derived OM (e.g. saturated fatty acids, FA 18:1w9 and cholesterol) than in the suspended pool. Strong seasonality in deep (3200 m) fluxes of phytoplankton-derived biomarkers reflect the seasonal input of bloom-derived material to underlying sediments. The rapid diagenetic alteration of this bloom-derived input is evidenced by depletion of PUFAs and enrichment of microbial biomarkers (e.g. odd/branched fatty acids) in surficial sediments over a two month period.

Distribution and Composition of Thiotrophic Mats in the Hypoxic Zone of the Black Sea (150–170 m Water Depth, Crimea Margin)

PubMed Central

Jessen, Gerdhard L.; Lichtschlag, Anna; Struck, Ulrich; Boetius, Antje

2016-01-01

At the Black Sea chemocline, oxygen- and sulfide-rich waters meet and form a niche for thiotrophic pelagic bacteria. Here we investigated an area of the Northwestern Black Sea off Crimea close to the shelf break, where the chemocline reaches the seafloor at around 150–170 m water depth, to assess whether thiotrophic bacteria are favored in this zone. Seafloor video transects were carried out with the submersible JAGO covering 20 km2 on the region between 110 and 200 m depth. Around the chemocline we observed irregular seafloor depressions, covered with whitish mats of large filamentous bacteria. These comprised 25–55% of the seafloor, forming a belt of 3 km width around the chemocline. Cores from the mats obtained with JAGO showed higher accumulations of organic matter under the mats compared to mat-free sediments. The mat-forming bacteria were related to Beggiatoa-like large filamentous sulfur bacteria based on 16S rRNA sequences from the mat, and visual characteristics. The microbial community under the mats was significantly different from the surrounding sediments and enriched with taxa affiliated with polymer degrading, fermenting and sulfate reducing microorganisms. Under the mats, higher organic matter accumulation, as well as higher remineralization and radiotracer-based sulfate reduction rates were measured compared to outside the mat. Mat-covered and mat-free sediments showed similar degradability of the bulk organic matter pool, suggesting that the higher sulfide fluxes and subsequent development of the thiotrophic mats in the patches are consequences of the accumulation of organic matter rather than its qualitative composition. Our observations suggest that the key factors for the distribution of thiotrophic mat-forming communities near to the Crimean shelf break are hypoxic conditions that (i) repress grazers, (ii) enhance the accumulation and degradation of labile organic matter by sulfate-reducers, and (iii) favor thiotrophic filamentous bacteria which are adapted to exploit steep gradients in oxygen and sulfide availability; in addition to a specific seafloor topography which may relate to internal waves at the shelf break. PMID:27446049

Dental caries: a dynamic disease process.

PubMed

Featherstone, J D B

2008-09-01

Abstract Dental caries is a transmissible bacterial disease process caused by acids from bacterial metabolism diffusing into enamel and dentine and dissolving the mineral. The bacteria responsible produce organic acids as a by-product of their metabolism of fermentable carbohydrates. The caries process is a continuum resulting from many cycles of demineralization and remineralization. Demineralization begins at the atomic level at the crystal surface inside the enamel or dentine and can continue unless halted with the end-point being cavitation. There are many possibilities to intervene in this continuing process to arrest or reverse the progress of the lesion. Remineralization is the natural repair process for non-cavitated lesions, and relies on calcium and phosphate ions assisted by fluoride to rebuild a new surface on existing crystal remnants in subsurface lesions remaining after demineralization. These remineralized crystals are acid resistant, being much less soluble than the original mineral.

The role of heterotrophic bacteria in iron-limited ocean ecosystems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tortell, Philippe D.; Maldonado, Maria T.; Price, Nell M.

1996-09-01

IRON availability limits phytoplankton growth in large areas of the world's oceans1-3 and may influence the strength of the biological carbon pump4,5. Very little is known of the iron requirements of oceanic heterotrophic bacteria, which constitute up to 50% of the total particulate organic carbon in open ocean waters6,7 and are important in carbon cycling as remineralizers of dissolved organic matter and hence producers of CO2 (ref. 8). Here we report that oceanic bacteria contain more iron per biomass than phytoplankton. In the subarctic Pacific, they constitute a large fraction of biogenic iron and account for 20-45% of biological iron uptake. Bacterial iron quotas in the field are similar to those of iron-deficient laboratory cultures, which exhibit reduced elec-tron transport, slow growth, and low carbon growth efficiency. Heterotrophic bacteria therefore play a major role in the biogeo-chemical cycling of iron. In situ iron limitation of heterotrophic metabolism may have profound effects on carbon flux in the ocean.

Carbon mineralization in Laptev and East Siberian sea shelf and slope sediment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brüchert, Volker; Bröder, Lisa; Sawicka, Joanna E.; Tesi, Tommaso; Joye, Samantha P.; Sun, Xiaole; Semiletov, Igor P.; Samarkin, Vladimir A.

2018-01-01

The Siberian Arctic Sea shelf and slope is a key region for the degradation of terrestrial organic material transported from the organic-carbon-rich permafrost regions of Siberia. We report on sediment carbon mineralization rates based on O2 microelectrode profiling; intact sediment core incubations; 35S-sulfate tracer experiments; pore-water dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC); δ13CDIC; and iron, manganese, and ammonium concentrations from 20 shelf and slope stations. This data set provides a spatial overview of sediment carbon mineralization rates and pathways over large parts of the outer Laptev and East Siberian Arctic shelf and slope and allows us to assess degradation rates and efficiency of carbon burial in these sediments. Rates of oxygen uptake and iron and manganese reduction were comparable to temperate shelf and slope environments, but bacterial sulfate reduction rates were comparatively low. In the topmost 50 cm of sediment, aerobic carbon mineralization dominated degradation and comprised on average 84 % of the depth-integrated carbon mineralization. Oxygen uptake rates and anaerobic carbon mineralization rates were higher in the eastern East Siberian Sea shelf compared to the Laptev Sea shelf. DIC / NH4+ ratios in pore waters and the stable carbon isotope composition of remineralized DIC indicated that the degraded organic matter on the Siberian shelf and slope was a mixture of marine and terrestrial organic matter. Based on dual end-member calculations, the terrestrial organic carbon contribution varied between 32 and 36 %, with a higher contribution in the Laptev Sea than in the East Siberian Sea. Extrapolation of the measured degradation rates using isotope end-member apportionment over the outer shelf of the Laptev and East Siberian seas suggests that about 16 Tg C yr-1 is respired in the outer shelf seafloor sediment. Of the organic matter buried below the oxygen penetration depth, between 0.6 and 1.3 Tg C yr-1 is degraded by anaerobic processes, with a terrestrial organic carbon contribution ranging between 0.3 and 0.5 Tg yr-1.

Trace elements and REE geochemistry of Middle Devonian carbonate mounds (Maïder Basin, Eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco): Implications for early diagenetic processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franchi, Fulvio; Turetta, Clara; Cavalazzi, Barbara; Corami, Fabiana; Barbieri, Roberto

2016-08-01

Trace and rare earth elements (REEs) have proven their utility as tools for assessing the genesis and early diagenesis of widespread geological bodies such as carbonate mounds, whose genetic processes are not yet fully understood. Carbonates from the Middle Devonian conical mud mounds of the Maïder Basin (eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco) have been analysed for their REE and trace element distribution. Collectively, the carbonates from the Maïder Basin mud mounds appear to display coherent REE patterns. Three different geochemical patterns, possibly related with three different diagenetic events, include: i) dyke fills with a normal marine REE pattern probably precipitated in equilibrium with seawater, ii) mound micrite with a particular enrichment of overall REE contents and variable Ce anomaly probably related to variation of pH, increase of alkalinity or dissolution/remineralization of organic matter during early diagenesis, and iii) haematite-rich vein fills precipitated from venting fluids of probable hydrothermal origin. Our results reinforce the hypothesis that these mounds were probably affected by an early diagenesis induced by microbial activity and triggered by abundance of dispersed organic matter, whilst venting may have affected the mounds during a later diagenetic phase.

Nitrogen cycling in the deep sedimentary biosphere: nitrate isotopes in porewaters underlying the oligotrophic North Atlantic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wankel, S. D.; Buchwald, C.; Ziebis, W.; Wenk, C. B.; Lehmann, M. F.

2015-12-01

Nitrogen (N) is a key component of fundamental biomolecules. Hence, its cycling and availability are central factors governing the extent of ecosystems across the Earth. In the organic-lean sediment porewaters underlying the oligotrophic ocean, where low levels of microbial activity persist despite limited organic matter delivery from overlying water, the extent and modes of nitrogen transformations have not been widely investigated. Here we use the N and oxygen (O) isotopic composition of porewater nitrate (NO3-) from a site in the oligotrophic North Atlantic (Integrated Ocean Drilling Program - IODP) to determine the extent and magnitude of microbial nitrate production (via nitrification) and consumption (via denitrification). We find that NO3- accumulates far above bottom seawater concentrations (~ 21 μM) throughout the sediment column (up to ~ 50 μM) down to the oceanic basement as deep as 90 m b.s.f. (below sea floor), reflecting the predominance of aerobic nitrification/remineralization within the deep marine sediments. Large changes in the δ15N and δ18O of nitrate, however, reveal variable influence of nitrate respiration across the three sites. We use an inverse porewater diffusion-reaction model, constrained by the N and O isotope systematics of nitrification and denitrification and the porewater NO3- isotopic composition, to estimate rates of nitrification and denitrification throughout the sediment column. Results indicate variability of reaction rates across and within the three boreholes that are generally consistent with the differential distribution of dissolved oxygen at this site, though not necessarily with the canonical view of how redox thresholds separate nitrate regeneration from dissimilative consumption spatially. That is, we provide stable isotopic evidence for expanded zones of co-occurring nitrification and denitrification. The isotope biogeochemical modeling also yielded estimates for the δ15N and δ18O of newly produced nitrate (δ15NNTR (NTR, referring to nitrification) and δ18ONTR), as well as the isotope effect for denitrification (15ϵDNF) (DNF, referring to denitrification), parameters with high relevance to global ocean models of N cycling. Estimated values of δ15NNTR were generally lower than previously reported δ15N values for sinking particulate organic nitrogen in this region. We suggest that these values may be, in part, related to sedimentary N2 fixation and remineralization of the newly fixed organic N. Values of δ18ONTR generally ranged between -2.8 and 0.0 ‰, consistent with recent estimates based on lab cultures of nitrifying bacteria. Notably, some δ18ONTR values were elevated, suggesting incorporation of 18O-enriched dissolved oxygen during nitrification, and possibly indicating a tight coupling of NH4+ and NO2- oxidation in this metabolically sluggish environment. Our findings indicate that the production of organic matter by in situ autotrophy (e.g., nitrification, nitrogen fixation) supplies a large fraction of the biomass and organic substrate for heterotrophy in these sediments, supplementing the small organic-matter pool derived from the overlying euphotic zone. This work sheds new light on an active nitrogen cycle operating, despite exceedingly low carbon inputs, in the deep sedimentary biosphere.

The reactivity of plant-derived organic matter in the Amazon River and implications on aquatic carbon fluxes to the atmosphere and ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ward, N. D.; Sawakuchi, H. O.; Keil, R. G.; da Silva, R.; Brito, D. C.; Cunha, A. C.; Gagne-Maynard, W.; de Matos, A.; Neu, V.; Bianchi, T. S.; Krusche, A. V.; Richey, J. E.

2014-12-01

The remineralization of terrestrially-derived organic carbon (OC), along with direct CO2 inputs from autochthonous plant respiration in floodplains, results in an evasive CO2 gas flux from inland waters that is an order of magnitude greater than the flux of OC to the ocean. This phenomenon is enhanced in tropical systems as a result of elevated temperatures and productivity relative to temperate and high-latitude counterparts. Likewise, this balance is suspected to be influenced by increasing global temperatures and alterations to hydrologic and land use regimes. Here, we assess the reactivity of terrestrial and aquatic plant-derived OM near the mouth of the Amazon River. The stable isotopic signature of CO2 (δ13CO2) was monitored in real-time during incubation experiments performed in a closed system gas phase equilibration chamber connected to a Picarro Cavity Ring-Down Spectrometer. Incubations were performed under natural conditions and with the injection of isotopically labeled terrestrial macromolecules (e.g. lignin) and algal fatty acids. Under natural conditions, δ13CO2 became more depleted, shifting from roughly -23‰ to -27‰ on average, suggesting that C3 terrestrial vegetation was the primary fuel for CO2 production. Upon separate injections of 13C-labeled lignin and algal fatty acids, δ13CO2 increased near instantaneously and peaked in under 12 hours. Roughly 75% of the labeled lignin was converted to CO2 at the peak in δ13CO2, whereas less than 20% of the algal fatty acids were converted to CO2 (preliminary data subject to change). The rate of labeled-OC remineralization was enhanced by the addition of a highly labile substrate (e.g. ethyl acetate). Likewise, constant measurements of O2/pCO2 along the lower river revealed anomalously high CO2 and low O2 levels near the confluence of the mainstem and large tributaries with high algal productivity. These collective results suggest that the remineralization of complex terrestrial macromolecules is a significant source of CO2 to tropical rivers, whereas algal-derived OC is primarily incorporated into the microbial loop/higher trophic levels and enhances the breakdown of more complex terrestrially-derived molecules (e.g. the "priming effect").

Nondestructive monitoring of the repair of natural occlusal lesions using cross polarization optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Hobin; Darling, Cynthia L.; Fried, Daniel

2012-01-01

Previous remineralization studies employing cross polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (CP-OCT), have been limited to the repair of artificial enamel-like lesions. In this study we attempted to remineralize existing occlusal lesions on extracted teeth. Lesions were imaged before and after exposure to an acidic remineralization regimen and the integrated reflectivity and lesion depth was calculated. Automated integration routines worked well for assessing the integrated reflectivity for the lesion areas after remineralization. Polarized light microscopy was also used to examine the lesions areas after sectioning the teeth. An acidic remineralization solution was used to remineralize the lesions. The integrated reflectivity significantly increased after exposure to the remineralization solution which suggests that the acidic solution caused additional demineralization as opposed to the desired remineralization.

Remineralization of artificial dentinal caries lesions by biomimetically modified Mineral Trioxide Aggregate

PubMed Central

Qi, Yi-pin; Li, Nan; Niu, Li-na; Primus, Carolyn M.; Ling, Jun-Qi; Pashley, David H.; Tay, Franklin R.

2011-01-01

Fluoride-releasing restorative materials are available for remineralization of enamel and root caries. However, dentin remineralization is more difficult than enamel remineralization due to the paucity of apatite seed crystallites along the lesion surface for heterogeneous crystal growth. Extracellular matrix proteins play critical roles in controlling apatite nucleation/growth in collagenous tissues. This study examined the remineralization efficacy of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in phosphate-containing simulated body fluid (SBF) by incorporating polyacrylic acid and sodium tripolyphosphate as biomimetic analogs of matrix proteins for remineralizing caries-like dentin. Artificial caries-like dentin lesions incubated in SBF were remineralized over a 6-week period using MTA or MTA containing biomimetic analogs in the absence or presence of dentin adhesive application. Lesion depths and integrated mineral loss were monitored with micro-computed tomography. Ultrastructure of baseline and remineralized lesions were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Dentin remineralization was best achieved using MTA containing biomimetic analogs regardless of whether an adhesive was applied; dentinal tubules within the remineralized dentin were occluded by apatite. It is concluded that the MTA version employed in the study may be doped with biomimetic analogs for remineralization of unbonded and bonded artificial caries-like lesions in the presence of SBF. PMID:22085925

Remineralization of artificial dentinal caries lesions by biomimetically modified mineral trioxide aggregate.

PubMed

Qi, Yi-pin; Li, Nan; Niu, Li-na; Primus, Carolyn M; Ling, Jun-Qi; Pashley, David H; Tay, Franklin R

2012-02-01

Fluoride-releasing restorative materials are available for remineralization of enamel and root caries. However, remineralization of dentin is more difficult than remineralization of enamel due to the paucity of apatite seed crystallites along the lesion surface for heterogeneous crystal growth. Extracellular matrix proteins play critical roles in controlling apatite nucleation/growth in collagenous tissues. This study examined the remineralization efficacy of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in phosphate-containing simulated body fluid (SBF) by incorporating polyacrylic acid and sodium tripolyphosphate as biomimetic analogs of matrix proteins for remineralizing caries-like dentin. Artificial caries-like dentin lesions incubated in SBF were remineralized over a 6 week period using MTA alone or MTA containing biomimetic analogs in the absence or presence of dentin adhesive application. Lesion depths and integrated mineral loss were monitored with microcomputed tomography. The ultrastructure of baseline and remineralized lesions was examined by transmission electron microscopy. Dentin remineralization was best achieved using MTA containing biomimetic analogs regardless of whether an adhesive was applied; dentinal tubules within the remineralized dentin were occluded by apatite. It is concluded that the version of MTA employed in this study may be doped with biomimetic analogs for remineralization of unbonded and bonded artificial caries-like lesions in the presence of SBF. Copyright © 2011 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nitrogen cycling in the subsurface biosphere: nitrate isotopes in porewaters underlying the oligotrophic North Atlantic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wankel, S. D.; Buchwald, C.; Ziebis, W.; Wenk, C. B.; Lehmann, M. F.

2015-08-01

Nitrogen (N) is a key component of fundamental biomolecules. Hence, the cycling and availability of N is a central factor governing the extent of ecosystems across the Earth. In the organic-lean sediment porewaters underlying the oligotrophic ocean, where low levels of microbial activity persist despite limited organic matter delivery from overlying water, the extent and modes of nitrogen transformations have not been widely investigated. Here we use the N and oxygen (O) isotopic composition of porewater nitrate (NO3-) from a site in the oligotrophic North Atlantic (IODP) to determine the extent and magnitude of microbial nitrate production (via nitrification) and consumption (via denitrification). We find that NO3- accumulates far above bottom seawater concentrations (∼ 21 μM) throughout the sediment column (up to ∼ 50 μM) down to the oceanic basement as deep as 90 mbsf, reflecting the predominance of aerobic nitrification/remineralization within the deep marine sediments. Large changes in the δ15N and δ18O of nitrate, however, reveal variable influence of nitrate respiration across the three sites. We use an inverse porewater diffusion-reaction model, constrained by the N and O isotope systematics of nitrification and denitrification and the porewater NO3- isotopic composition, to estimate rates of nitrification and denitrification throughout the sediment column. Results indicate variability of reaction rates across and within the three boreholes that are generally consistent with the differential distribution of dissolved oxygen at this site, though not necessarily with the canonical view of how redox thresholds separate nitrate regeneration from dissimilative consumption spatially. That is, we provide isotope evidence for expanded zones of co-ocurring nitrification and denitrification. The isotope biogeochemical modeling also yielded estimates for the δ15N and δ18O of newly produced nitrate (δ15NNTR and δ18ONTR), as well as the isotope effect for denitrification (15ϵDNF), parameters with high relevance to global ocean models of N cycling. Estimated values of δ15NNTR were generally lower than previously reported δ15N values for sinking PON in this region. We suggest that these values can be related to sedimentary N-fixation and remineralization of the newly fixed organic N. Values of δ18ONTR generally ranged between -2.8 and 0.0 ‰, consistent with recent estimates based on lab cultures of nitrifying bacteria. Notably, some δ18ONTR values were elevated, suggesting incorporation of 18O-enriched dissolved oxygen during nitrification, and possibly indicating a tight coupling of NH4+ and NO2- oxidation in this metabolically sluggish environment. Our findings indicate that the production of organic matter by in situ autotrophy (e.g., nitrification, nitrogen fixation) supply a large fraction of the biomass and organic substrate for heterotrophy in these sediments, supplementing the small organic matter pool derived from the overlying euphotic zone. This work sheds new light on an active nitrogen cycle operating, despite exceedingly low carbon inputs, in the deep sedimentary biosphere.

Imperfect hybrid layers created by an aggressive one-step self-etch adhesive in primary dentin are amendable to biomimetic remineralization in vitro

PubMed Central

Kim, Jongryul; Vaughn, Ryan M.; Gu, Lisha; Rockman, Roy A.; Arola, Dwayne D.; Schafer, Tara E.; Choi, Kyungkyu; Pashley, David H.; Tay, Franklin R.

2009-01-01

Degradation of hybrid layers created in primary dentin occurs as early as 6 months in vivo. Biomimetic remineralization utilizes “bottom-up” nanotechnology principles for interfibrillar and intrafibrillar remineralization of collagen matrices. This study examined whether imperfect hybrid layers created in primary dentin can be remineralized. Coronal dentin surfaces were prepared from extracted primary molars and bonded using Adper Prompt L-Pop and a composite. One millimeter-thick specimen slabs of the resin-dentin interface were immersed in a Portland cement-based remineralization medium that contained two biomimetic analogs to mimic the sequestration and templating functions of dentin noncollagenous proteins. Specimens were retrieved after 1–6 months. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was employed for evaluating the permeability of hybrid layers to Rhodamine B. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the status of remineralization within hybrid layers. Remineralization at different locations of the hybrid layers corresponded with quenching of fluorescence within similar locations of those hybrid layers. Remineralization was predominantly intrafibrillar in nature as interfibrillar spaces were filled with adhesive resin. Biomimetic remineralization of imperfect hybrid layers in primary human dentin is a potential means for preserving bond integrity. The success of the current proof-of-concept, laterally-diffusing remineralization protocol warrants development of a clinically-applicable biomimetic remineralization delivery system. PMID:19768792

APPLICATION OF FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPIC TECHNIQUES AND PROBES TO THE DETECTION OF BIOPOLYMER DEGRADATION IN NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS. (R825159)

EPA Science Inventory

The activities and substrate specificities of extracellular enzymes in natural systems are not well understood, despite their critical role in microbial remineralization of organic carbon. These enzymes initiate organic carbon degradation by selectively hydrolyzing high molecular...

Quantifying the remineralization of artificial caries lesions using PS-OCT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, Robert S.; Fried, Daniel

2006-02-01

New optical imaging methods are needed to determine whether caries lesions (tooth decay) are active and progressing or have become remineralized and arrested and are no longer progressing. The objective of this study was to use Polarization Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography (PS-OCT) to image the fluoride enhanced remineralization of artificial enamel lesions. Artificial lesions were created by an acetate buffer on smooth enamel surfaces and were exposed for 20 days to a 2 ppm fluoride containing remineralization solution. PS-OCT images revealed the presence of a low scattering surface zone after the artificial lesions were remineralized. These samples displayed intact nondepolarizing surface zones when analyzed with Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM). No statistical difference in lesion depth before and after remineralization was found with both PS-OCT and PLM. The remineralized lesions showed a significant decrease in the overall integrated reflectivity compared with the demineralized lesions. Digital Microradiography confirmed the increase in mineral volume of the remineralized surface zone. This study determined that PS-OCT can image the restoration of the surface zone enamel after fluoride-enhanced remineralization of artificial in vitro dental caries.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in pore water of Arctic Ocean sediments: linking DOM molecular composition with microbial community structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossel, P. E.; Bienhold, C.; Boetius, A.; Dittmar, T.

2016-02-01

Marine organic matter (OM) that sinks from surface waters to the seafloor is the energy and carbon source for benthic communities. These communities produce dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the process of remineralization, enriching the sediment porewater with fresh DOM compounds. In the Arctic Ocean, primary production is limited by nutrients and light and is thus strongly influenced by sea ice cover. Ice cover is expected to further decrease due to global warming, which may have important consequences for primary production and the quantity and quality of OM exported to the seafloor. This study focused on: 1) the molecular composition of the DOM in sediment pore waters of the deep Eurasian Arctic basins, 2) whether there is any relation between Arctic Ocean ice cover and DOM composition and 3) whether the DOM composition correlates with microbial community structure. Molecular data, obtained via 15 Tesla Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, were statistically correlated with environmental parameters. The productive ice margin stations showed higher abundances of molecular formulae of peptides, unsaturated aliphatics and saturated fatty acids. This molecular trend is indicative of fresh OM and phytodetritus deposition, compared to the northernmost, ice-covered stations which had stronger aromatic signals. Benthic bacterial community structure, as assessed with the fingerprinting method ARISA, was significantly correlated with DOM molecular composition. Further analyses using Illumina next-generation sequencing will enable the taxonomic identification of specific bacterial groups and their interdependence with DOM compounds. This study contributes to the understanding of the coupling between Arctic Ocean productivity and its depositional regime, and provides first insights into potential links between microbial community structure and DOM molecular composition in Arctic sediments

Net Community Production in the East Coastal waters of the United States from Oxygen to Argon Ratios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Y.; Cai, W. J.; Collins, A. L.; Jonsson, B.; Salisbury, J.

2016-02-01

The increase in anthropogenic nutrient input may enhance phytoplankton biomass and their photosynthesis may cause oxygen supersaturation in euphotic zone; while organic matter input from land to sea and decomposition during transportation may lead to oxygen undersaturation. Net community production (NCP) reflects the net outcome between photosynthesis and respiration. Our current understating of NCP mainly relies on bottle incubation and satellite data analysis, which may cause bias in the large area of coastal water. To improve our understanding in the east coast of the United States (25°N to 45 °N) from an integrated perspective, we conducted continuous onboard determination of oxygen (O2) to argon (Ar) ratios in order to separate biological activity from physical mixing effects during June to July 2015 as part of the NOAA East Coast Ocean Acidification (ECOA) investigation. Biological driven O2 supersaturation was derived from difference of O2/Ar in water away from the equilibrium status using equilibrator inlet mass spectrometer. Temperature changed 5°C to 30°C from north to south, and salinity ranged from 20 in the shore region (e.g. inside of Chesapeake Bay) to 36 in offshore water. Photosynthesis (positive NCP) was the dominant process in the Gulf of Maine and in lower Chesapeake Bay due to the re-occurring phytoplankton blooms. In response to large amount of terrestrial organic matter input and quick remineralization at temperature of 20-25°C, respiration (negative NCP) were often observed in the Block Island sound, Delaware Bay mouth and Chesapeake Bay mouth. In the warm subtropics gyre, NCP was slightly negative that may be related to nutrient deficiency and low organic matter input.

Characterization of Whole Porewater Dissolved Organic Matter by 1H NMR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fox, C.; Lewicki, J. P.; Abdulla, H. A.; Burdige, D.; Magen, C.; Chanton, J.; Komada, T.

2014-12-01

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a key intermediate in microbial remineralization of organic matter, but only a small percentage of this complex pool has been fully characterized. We present the results of a novel approach to the characterization of DOM in whole porewater samples from the anoxic sediments of the Santa Barbara Basin, California Borderland, using solution state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Profiles of porewater DOM were obtained by 1H NMR from 95 to 435 cm sediment depth. 1H NMR spectra of each whole porewater sample showed continuous, broad regions from ~0.5 to ~4.5 ppm, indicative of significant signal overlap inherent to complex mixtures, superimposed on a few highly resolved peaks. The individual samples consist of a broad range of chemical environments with varying relative abundances that show a near linear trend with depth. The normalized spectral data were analyzed by principal component analysis to resolve variations in chemical composition of DOM as a function of depth. In addition to detecting the major components such as carbohydrates, cyclic aliphatics and aromatics, our results demonstrate a negative correlation between carbohydrates concurrent with a relative increase in levels of aliphatics. Furthermore, we have identified a decrease in the abundance of alkenes coupled with an increase in a broad region from ~1.9 to ~3.2 ppm, likely corresponding to signals from carboxylic-rich alicyclic molecules. In both trends, the greatest variation occurs between 115 and 135 cm, which straddles the sulfate-methane transition zone (~125 cm), potentially highlighting a region of relatively high DOM transformation. Our work has also identified thiol species which are thought to be formed by dissolved (inorganic) sulfide incorporation into porewater DOM compounds. The implications of these results with respect to carbon cycling in anaerobic sediments will be discussed.

Quantitative Analysis of Remineralization of Artificial Carious Lesions with Commercially Available Newer Remineralizing Agents Using SEM-EDX- In Vitro Study”

PubMed Central

Rambabu, Tanikonda; Sajjan, Girija; Varma, Madhu; Satish, Kalyan; Raju, Vijayalakshmi Bhupathi; Ganguru, Sirisha; Ventrapati, Nagalkashmi

2017-01-01

Introduction The basic principle of remineralization is by advocating a biological or non-invasive approach rather than the surgical approach for early enamel lesions. There are relatively newer products available for remineralization, latest being the resin-infiltration technique, commercially available as Icon. Aim The aim of the study was to evaluate the remineralizing potential of Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (CPP-ACP), Vantej and Icon by the quantitative evaluation of mineral gain. Materials and Methods Seventy eight maxillary premolars were decoronated at Cemento-Enamel Junction (CEJ) and then sectioned mesio-distally using diamond disc into two halves. Mineral content of the sound specimens were recorded using Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDAX) micro-analyser. The samples were then subjected to demineralization by using demineralizing solution. The samples were grouped (n=26) based on the remineralizing agent used, Group 1: Vantej, Group 2: CPP-ACP, Group 3: Icon. After the application of remineralizing agent, the mineral content was measured using EDAX. Results After remineralization, there was a significant difference between the groups when calcium and phosphorous ratios (Ca:P) were compared, showing greater potential of remineralization for CPP-ACP followed by Vantej and Icon group. Conclusion CPP-ACP performed better than Vantej and Icon in remineralizing the demineralized enamel. PMID:28571254

A carbon isotope mass balance for an anoxic marine sediment: Isotopic signatures of diagenesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boehme, Susan E.

1993-01-01

A carbon isotope mass balance was determined for the sediments of Cape Lookout Bight, NC to constrain the carbon budgets published previously. The diffusive, ebullitive and burial fluxes of sigma CO2 and CH4, as well as the carbon isotope signatures of these fluxes, were measured. The flux-weighted isotopic signature of the remineralized carbon (-18.9 plus or minus 2.7 per mil) agreed with the isotopic composition of the remineralized organic carbon determined from the particulate organic carbon (POC) delta(C-13) profiles (-19.2 plus or minus 0.2), verifying the flux and isotopic signature estimates. The measured delta(C-13) values of the sigma CO2 and CH4 diffusive fluxes were significantly different from those calculated from porewater gradients. The differences appear to be influenced by methane oxidation at the sediment-water interface, although other potential processes cannot be excluded. The isotope mass balance provides important information concerning the locations of potential diagenetic isotope effects. Specifically, the absence of downcore change in the delta(C-13) value of the POC fraction and the identical isotopic composition of the POC and the products of remineralization indicate that no isotopic fractionation is expressed during the initial breakdown of the POC, despite its isotopically heterogeneous composition.

Biotic and abiotic retention, recycling and remineralization of metals in the ocean

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Boyd, Philip W.; Ellwood, Michael J.; Tagliabue, Alessandro

Trace metals shape both the biogeochemical functioning and biological structure of oceanic provinces. Trace metal biogeochemistry has primarily focused on modes of external supply of metals from aeolian, hydrothermal, sedimentary and other sources. However, metals also undergo internal transformations such as abiotic and biotic retention, recycling and remineralization. The role of these internal transformations in metal biogeochemical cycling is now coming into focus. First, the retention of metals by biota in the surface ocean for days, weeks or months depends on taxon-specific metal requirements of phytoplankton, and on their ultimate fate: that is, viral lysis, senescence, grazing and/or export tomore » depth. Rapid recycling of metals in the surface ocean can extend seasonal productivity by maintaining higher levels of metal bioavailability compared to the influence of external metal input alone. As metal-containing organic particles are exported from the surface ocean, different metals exhibit distinct patterns of remineralization with depth. These patterns are mediated by a wide range of physicochemical and microbial processes such as the ability of particles to sorb metals, and are influenced by the mineral and organic characteristics of sinking particles. We conclude that internal metal transformations play an essential role in controlling metal bioavailability, phytoplankton distributions and the subsurface resupply of metals.« less

Chemical characterization of dissolved organic matter in an alpine stream from thawing and collapsing permafrost to Qinghai Lake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Y.; Xu, Y.

2016-12-01

The Tibetan Plateau is the world's largest and highest plateau, approximately two thirds of which is covered by permafrost. Due to recent climate warming, large organic carbon stored in the permafrost is thawing and becomes available for transport to aquatic ecosystems (i.e., stream and lake) as dissolved organic matter (DOM) and fine particulate organic matter (POM). These DOM and POM are not only important food sources for the aquatic food web, but also a significant feedback if remineralized during transport. In this work, we collected water samples along a stream from the headwater in the Permafrost region to the downstream in the Qinghai Lake. The concentration and composition of DOM were determined using high temperature combustion analysis, UV- Vis absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. The concentration of dissolved organic carbon decreased sharply from 13.87 mg/L to 4.32 mg/L from collapsing permafrost area (3850 m a.s.l.) to the foot of the mountain (3200 m a.s.l.), and then fluctuated in a narrow range between 3.00 mg/L and 4.50 mg/L. The DOM with high humic-like fluorescence, specific UV absorbance (SUVA254), and low spectral slope ratio (S275-295) and fluorescence index (FI) was observed in the headwater, which was distinct difference from that at the middle and downstream area where the DOM are less aromatic and low molecular weight. Meanwhile, the freshness index (β/α) increased slightly in mid and down-stream. This increasing trend for FI and β/α indicated a contribution of recently in situ produced DOM by aquatic bacteria and algae in the stream. We speculate that the biological process is an important way to cause the chemical change of DOM composition and concentration, and therefore the thawing and transport of permafrost carbon may play a key role in sustaining the alpine stream ecosystem.

Origins and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter in groundwater

USGS Publications Warehouse

Shen, Yuan; Chapelle, Francis H.; Strom, Eric W.; Benner, Ronald

2015-01-01

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in groundwater influences water quality and fuels microbial metabolism, but its origins, bioavailability and chemical composition are poorly understood. The origins and concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and bioavailable DOM were monitored during a long-term (2-year) study of groundwater in a fractured-rock aquifer in the Carolina slate belt. Surface precipitation was significantly correlated with groundwater concentrations of DOC, bioavailable DOM and chromophoric DOM, indicating strong hydrological connections between surface and ground waters. The physicochemical and biological processes shaping the concentrations and compositions of DOM during its passage through the soil column to the saturated zone are conceptualized in the regional chromatography model. The model provides a framework for linking hydrology with the processes affecting the transformation, remineralization and microbial production of DOM during passage through the soil column. Lignin-derived phenols were relatively depleted in groundwater DOM indicating substantial removal in the unsaturated zone, and optical properties of chromophoric DOM indicated lower molecular weight DOM in groundwater relative to surface water. The prevalence of glycine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and d-enantiomers of amino acids indicated the DOM was highly diagenetically altered. Bioassay experiments were used to establish DOC-normalized yields of amino acids as molecular indicators of DOM bioavailability in groundwater. A relatively small fraction (8 ± 4 %) of DOC in groundwater was bioavailable. The relatively high yields of specific d-enantiomers of amino acids indicated a substantial fraction (15–34 %) of groundwater DOC was of bacterial origin.

Snowball Earth prevention by dissolved organic carbon remineralization.

PubMed

Peltier, W Richard; Liu, Yonggang; Crowley, John W

2007-12-06

The 'snowball Earth' hypothesis posits the occurrence of a sequence of glaciations in the Earth's history sufficiently deep that photosynthetic activity was essentially arrested. Because the time interval during which these events are believed to have occurred immediately preceded the Cambrian explosion of life, the issue as to whether such snowball states actually developed has important implications for our understanding of evolutionary biology. Here we couple an explicit model of the Neoproterozoic carbon cycle to a model of the physical climate system. We show that the drawdown of atmospheric oxygen into the ocean, as surface temperatures decline, operates so as to increase the rate of remineralization of a massive pool of dissolved organic carbon. This leads directly to an increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide, enhanced greenhouse warming of the surface of the Earth, and the prevention of a snowball state.

Effect of CPP-ACP on the remineralization of acid-eroded human tooth enamel: nanomechanical properties and microtribological behaviour study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, L.; Zheng, J.; Zhang, Y. F.; Qian, L. M.; Zhou, Z. R.

2013-10-01

Casein phosphopeptide-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) has been used to enhance tooth remineralization in the dental clinic. But the contribution of CPP-ACP to the remineralization of acid-eroded human tooth enamel is of widespread controversy. To confirm the application potential of CPP-ACP in the remineralization repair of tooth erosion caused by acid-attack, the effect of remineralization in vitro in 2% w/v CPP-ACP solution on the acid-eroded human tooth enamel was investigated in this study. The repair of surface morphology and the improvement of nanomechanical and microtribological properties were characterized with laser confocal scanning microscope, scanning electron microscope, nanoindentation tester and nanoscratch tester. Results showed that a layer of uneven mineral deposits, which were mainly amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) in all probability, was observed on the acid-eroded enamel surface after remineralization. Compared with the acid-eroded enamel surface, the nanoindentation hardness and Young's modulus of the remineralized enamel surface obviously increased. Both the friction coefficient and wear volume of the acid-eroded enamel surface decreased after remineralization. However, both the nanomechanical and the anti-wear properties of the remineralized enamel surface were still inferior to those of original enamel surface. In summary, tooth damage caused by acid erosion could be repaired by remineralization in CPP-ACP solution, but the repair effect, especially on the nanomechanical and anti-wear properties of the acid-eroded enamel, was limited. These results would contribute to a further exploration of the remineralization potential of CPP-ACP and a better understanding of the remineralization repair mechanism for acid-eroded human tooth enamel.

Fluorides and non-fluoride remineralization systems.

PubMed

Amaechi, Bennett T; van Loveren, Cor

2013-01-01

Caries develops when the equilibrium between de- and remineralization is unbalanced favoring demineralization. De- and remineralization occur depending on the degree of saturation of the interstitial fluids with respect to the tooth mineral. This equilibrium is positively influenced when fluoride, calcium and phosphate ions are added favoring remineralization. In addition, when fluoride is present, it will be incorporated into the newly formed mineral which is then less soluble. Toothpastes may contain fluoride and calcium ions separately or together in various compounds (remineralization systems) and may therefore reduce demineralization and promote remineralization. Formulating all these compounds in one paste may be challenging due to possible premature calcium-fluoride interactions and the low solubility of CaF2. There is a large amount of clinical evidence supporting the potent caries preventive effect of fluoride toothpastes indisputably. The amount of clinical evidence of the effectiveness of the other remineralization systems is far less convincing. Evidence is lacking for head to head comparisons of the various remineralization systems. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Sources, behaviors and degradation of dissolved organic matter in the East China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yan; Yang, Gui-Peng; Liu, Li; Zhang, Peng-Yan; Leng, Wei-Song

2016-03-01

Concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and its major compound classes-total hydrolysable amino acids (THAA) were measured at 4 cross-shelf transects of the East China Sea in July 2011. Surface concentrations of DOC, DIN, DON and THAA at the nearshore stations were mostly in excess of those found at the offshore sites, indicating either substantial autochthonous production or allochthonous inputs from the Changjiang River. The vertical distributions of DOC, DON and THAA showed similar trends with higher values in the surface layer, whereas the elevated concentrations of DIN were observed in the bottom layer. Major constituents of THAA presented in the study area were glycine, serine, alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid and valine. The mole percentages of neutral amino acids increased from surface water to bottom water, whereas acidic and hydroxy amino acids decreased with the water depth. Concentrations of DOC and THAA were negatively correlated to the ΔDIN values (the difference between the real concentration and theoretical concentration), respectively, indicating the coupling relation between dissolved organic matter (DOM) remineralization and nutrient regeneration in the water column. The C/N ratios in the water column exhibited different characteristics with elevated values appearing in the surface and bottom layers. Box and whisker plots showed that both degradation index (DI) values and THAA yields displayed a decreasing trend from the surface layer to the bottom layer, implying increasing degradation with the water depth. Our data revealed that glycine and alanine increased in relative abundance with decreasing DI, while tyrosine, valine, phenylalanine and isoleucine increased with increasing DI.

Remineralization of demineralized enamel via calcium phosphate nanocomposite.

PubMed

Weir, M D; Chow, L C; Xu, H H K

2012-10-01

Secondary caries remains the main problem limiting the longevity of composite restorations. The objective of this study was to investigate the remineralization of demineralized human enamel in vitro via a nanocomposite containing nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP). NACP were synthesized by a spray-drying technique and incorporated into a dental resin. First, caries-like subsurface enamel lesions were created via an acidic solution. Then, NACP nanocomposite or a commercial fluoride-releasing control composite was placed on the demineralized enamel, along with control enamel without a composite. These specimens were then treated with a cyclic demineralization/remineralization regimen for 30 days. Quantitative microradiography showed typical enamel subsurface demineralization before cyclic demineralization/remineralization treatment, and significant remineralization in enamel under the NACP nanocomposite after the demineralization/remineralization treatment. The NACP nanocomposite had the highest enamel remineralization (mean ± SD; n = 6) of 21.8 ± 3.7%, significantly higher than the 5.7 ± 6.9% for fluoride-releasing composite (p < 0.05). The enamel group without composite had further demineralization of -26.1 ± 16.2%. In conclusion, a novel NACP nanocomposite was effective in remineralizing enamel lesions in vitro. Its enamel remineralization was 4-fold that of a fluoride-releasing composite control. Combined with the good mechanical and acid-neutralization properties reported earlier, the new NACP nanocomposite is promising for remineralization of demineralized tooth structures.

Remineralization of Demineralized Enamel via Calcium Phosphate Nanocomposite

PubMed Central

Weir, M.D.; Chow, L.C.; Xu, H.H.K.

2012-01-01

Secondary caries remains the main problem limiting the longevity of composite restorations. The objective of this study was to investigate the remineralization of demineralized human enamel in vitro via a nanocomposite containing nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP). NACP were synthesized by a spray-drying technique and incorporated into a dental resin. First, caries-like subsurface enamel lesions were created via an acidic solution. Then, NACP nanocomposite or a commercial fluoride-releasing control composite was placed on the demineralized enamel, along with control enamel without a composite. These specimens were then treated with a cyclic demineralization/remineralization regimen for 30 days. Quantitative microradiography showed typical enamel subsurface demineralization before cyclic demineralization/remineralization treatment, and significant remineralization in enamel under the NACP nanocomposite after the demineralization/remineralization treatment. The NACP nanocomposite had the highest enamel remineralization (mean ± SD; n = 6) of 21.8 ± 3.7%, significantly higher than the 5.7 ± 6.9% for fluoride-releasing composite (p < 0.05). The enamel group without composite had further demineralization of −26.1 ± 16.2%. In conclusion, a novel NACP nanocomposite was effective in remineralizing enamel lesions in vitro. Its enamel remineralization was 4-fold that of a fluoride-releasing composite control. Combined with the good mechanical and acid-neutralization properties reported earlier, the new NACP nanocomposite is promising for remineralization of demineralized tooth structures. PMID:22933607

Submarine groundwater discharge driven nitrogen fluxes to Long Island Sound, NY: Terrestrial vs. marine sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamborski, J. J.; Cochran, J. K.; Bokuniewicz, H. J.

2017-12-01

Bottom-waters in Smithtown Bay (Long Island Sound, NY) are subject to hypoxic conditions every summer despite limited nutrient inputs from waste-water and riverine sources, while modeling estimates of groundwater inputs are thought to be insignificant. Terrestrial and marine fluxes of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) were quantified to Smithtown Bay using mass balances of 222Rn, 224Ra, 226Ra and 228Ra during the spring and summer of 2014/2015, in order to track this seasonal transition period. Intertidal pore waters from a coastal bluff (terrestrial SGD) and from a barrier beach (marine SGD) displayed substantial differences in N concentrations and sources, traced using a multi-isotope approach (222Rn, Ra, δ15N-NO3-, δ18O-NO3-). NO3- in terrestrial SGD did not display any seasonality and was derived from residential septic systems and fertilizer. Marine SGD N concentrations varied month-to-month because of mixing between oxic seawater and hypoxic saline pore waters; N concentrations were greatest during the summer, when NO3- was derived from the remineralization of organic matter. Short-lived 222Rn and 224Ra SGD fluxes were used to determine remineralized N loads along tidal recirculation flow paths, while long-lived 228Ra was used to trace inputs of anthropogenic N in terrestrial SGD. 228Ra-derived terrestrial N load estimates were between 20 and 55% lower than 224Ra-derived estimates (excluding spring 2014); 228Ra may be a more appropriate tracer of terrestrial SGD N loads. Terrestrial SGD NO3- (derived from 228Ra) to Smithtown Bay varied from (1.40-12.8) ∗ 106 mol N y-1, with comparable marine SGD NO3- fluxes of (1.70-6.79) ∗ 106 mol N y-1 derived from 222Rn and 224Ra. Remineralized N loads were greater during the summer compared with spring, and these may be an important driver toward the onset of seasonal hypoxic conditions in Smithtown Bay and western Long Island Sound. Seawater recirculation through the coastal aquifer can rival the N load from terrestrial SGD from a heavily polluted aquifer.

Different Bacterial Communities Involved in Peptide Decomposition between Normoxic and Hypoxic Coastal Waters

PubMed Central

Liu, Shuting; Wawrik, Boris; Liu, Zhanfei

2017-01-01

Proteins and peptides are key components of the labile dissolved organic matter pool in marine environments. Knowing which types of bacteria metabolize peptides can inform the factors that govern peptide decomposition and further carbon and nitrogen remineralization in marine environments. A 13C-labeled tetrapeptide, alanine-valine-phenylalanine-alanine (AVFA), was added to both surface (normoxic) and bottom (hypoxic) seawater from a coastal station in the northern Gulf of Mexico for a 2-day incubation experiment, and bacteria that incorporated the peptide were identified using DNA stable isotope probing (SIP). The decomposition rate of AVFA in the bottom hypoxic seawater (0.018–0.035 μM h-1) was twice as fast as that in the surface normoxic seawater (0.011–0.017 μM h-1). SIP experiments indicated that incorporation of 13C was highest among the Flavobacteria, Sphingobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Acidimicrobiia, Verrucomicrobiae, Cyanobacteria, and Actinobacteria in surface waters. In contrast, highest 13C-enrichment was mainly observed in several Alphaproteobacteria (Thalassococcus, Rhodobacteraceae, Ruegeria) and Gammaproteobacteria genera (Colwellia, Balneatrix, Thalassomonas) in the bottom water. These data suggest that a more diverse group of both oligotrophic and copiotrophic bacteria may be involved in metabolizing labile organic matter such as peptides in normoxic coastal waters, and several copiotrophic genera belonging to Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria and known to be widely distributed may contribute to faster peptide decomposition in the hypoxic waters. PMID:28326069

Influences of bicarbonate on processes of enamel subsurface remineralization and demineralization: assessment using micro-Raman spectroscopy and transverse microradiography.

PubMed

Kuramochi, Erika; Iizuka, Junko; Mukai, Yoshiharu

2016-12-01

In the present study, we investigated, using micro-Raman spectroscopy (Raman) and transverse microradiography, the influence of bicarbonate [sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO 3 )] on the effects of carbonate ions in the mineral phase during demineralization (acid resistance test) of subsurface lesions. Baseline lesions were created by demineralizing bovine enamel, and specimens were then exposed to remineralization solutions containing 0, 5, or 50 mM bicarbonate. Acid resistance tests were performed on remineralized and sound enamel specimens. Raman spectra showed that carbonate and phosphate were incorporated into both surface layers and lesion bodies during remineralization in the presence of bicarbonate. Moreover, the presence of bicarbonate did not affect the rates of remineralization, although the average mineral profiles of remineralized enamel differed from those of sound enamel after acid resistance tests. Raman analyses enabled close evaluation of site-specific characteristics of carbonate and phosphate in subsurface lesions. In conclusion, incorporation of carbonate and phosphate ions into enamel subsurface lesions during remineralization does not affect the magnitude of remineralization or acid resistance. © 2016 Eur J Oral Sci.

Deep ocean nutrients imply large latitudinal variation in particle transfer efficiency.

PubMed

Weber, Thomas; Cram, Jacob A; Leung, Shirley W; DeVries, Timothy; Deutsch, Curtis

2016-08-02

The "transfer efficiency" of sinking organic particles through the mesopelagic zone and into the deep ocean is a critical determinant of the atmosphere-ocean partition of carbon dioxide (CO2). Our ability to detect large-scale spatial variations in transfer efficiency is limited by the scarcity and uncertainties of particle flux data. Here we reconstruct deep ocean particle fluxes by diagnosing the rate of nutrient accumulation along transport pathways in a data-constrained ocean circulation model. Combined with estimates of organic matter export from the surface, these diagnosed fluxes reveal a global pattern of transfer efficiency to 1,000 m that is high (∼25%) at high latitudes and low (∼5%) in subtropical gyres, with intermediate values in the tropics. This pattern is well correlated with spatial variations in phytoplankton community structure and the export of ballast minerals, which control the size and density of sinking particles. These findings accentuate the importance of high-latitude oceans in sequestering carbon over long timescales, and highlight potential impacts on remineralization depth as phytoplankton communities respond to a warming climate.

Deep ocean nutrients imply large latitudinal variation in particle transfer efficiency

PubMed Central

Weber, Thomas; Cram, Jacob A.; Leung, Shirley W.; DeVries, Timothy; Deutsch, Curtis

2016-01-01

The “transfer efficiency” of sinking organic particles through the mesopelagic zone and into the deep ocean is a critical determinant of the atmosphere−ocean partition of carbon dioxide (CO2). Our ability to detect large-scale spatial variations in transfer efficiency is limited by the scarcity and uncertainties of particle flux data. Here we reconstruct deep ocean particle fluxes by diagnosing the rate of nutrient accumulation along transport pathways in a data-constrained ocean circulation model. Combined with estimates of organic matter export from the surface, these diagnosed fluxes reveal a global pattern of transfer efficiency to 1,000 m that is high (∼25%) at high latitudes and low (∼5%) in subtropical gyres, with intermediate values in the tropics. This pattern is well correlated with spatial variations in phytoplankton community structure and the export of ballast minerals, which control the size and density of sinking particles. These findings accentuate the importance of high-latitude oceans in sequestering carbon over long timescales, and highlight potential impacts on remineralization depth as phytoplankton communities respond to a warming climate. PMID:27457946

Deep ocean nutrients imply large latitudinal variation in particle transfer efficiency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weber, Thomas; Cram, Jacob A.; Leung, Shirley W.; DeVries, Timothy; Deutsch, Curtis

2016-08-01

The “transfer efficiency” of sinking organic particles through the mesopelagic zone and into the deep ocean is a critical determinant of the atmosphere-ocean partition of carbon dioxide (CO2). Our ability to detect large-scale spatial variations in transfer efficiency is limited by the scarcity and uncertainties of particle flux data. Here we reconstruct deep ocean particle fluxes by diagnosing the rate of nutrient accumulation along transport pathways in a data-constrained ocean circulation model. Combined with estimates of organic matter export from the surface, these diagnosed fluxes reveal a global pattern of transfer efficiency to 1,000 m that is high (˜25%) at high latitudes and low (˜5%) in subtropical gyres, with intermediate values in the tropics. This pattern is well correlated with spatial variations in phytoplankton community structure and the export of ballast minerals, which control the size and density of sinking particles. These findings accentuate the importance of high-latitude oceans in sequestering carbon over long timescales, and highlight potential impacts on remineralization depth as phytoplankton communities respond to a warming climate.

Glutaraldehyde-induced remineralization improves the mechanical properties and biostability of dentin collagen.

PubMed

Chen, Chaoqun; Mao, Caiyun; Sun, Jian; Chen, Yi; Wang, Wei; Pan, Haihua; Tang, Ruikang; Gu, Xinhua

2016-10-01

The purpose of this study was to induce a biomimetic remineralization process by using glutaraldehyde (GA) to reconstruct the mechanical properties and biostability of demineralized collagen. Demineralized dentin disks (35% phosphoric acid, 10s) were pretreated with a 5% GA solution for 3min and then cultivated in a calcium phosphate remineralization solution. The remineralization kinetics and superstructure of the remineralization layer were evaluated by Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and nanoindentation tests. The biostability was examined by enzymatic degradation experiments. A significant difference was found in dentin remineralization process between dentin with and without GA pretreating. GA showed a specific affinity to dentin collagen resulting in the formation of a cross-linking superstructure. GA pretreating could remarkably shorten remineralization time from 7days to 2days. The GA-induced remineralized collagen fibrils were well encapsulated by newly formed hydroxyapatite mineral nanocrystals. With the nano-hydroxyapatite coating, both the mechanical properties (elastic modulus and hardness) and the biostability against enzymatic degradation of the collagen were significantly enhanced, matching those of natural dentin. The results indicated that GA cross-linking of dentin collagen could promote dentin biomimetic remineralization, resulting in an improved mechanical properties and biostability. It may provide a promising tissue-engineering technology for dentin repair. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of tetracalcium phosphate/monetite toothpaste on dentin remineralization and tubule occlusion in vitro.

PubMed

Medvecky, L; Stulajterova, R; Giretova, M; Mincik, J; Vojtko, M; Balko, J; Briancin, J

2018-03-01

To investigate the tubule occlusion and remineralization potential of a novel toothpaste with active tetracalcium phosphate/monetite mixtures under de/remineralization cycling. Dentin de/remineralization cycling protocol consisted of demineralization in 1% citric acid at pH 4.6 with following remineralization with toothpastes and soaking in artificial saliva. Effectiveness of toothpastes to promote remineralization was evaluated by measurement of microhardness recovery, analysis of surface roughness, thickness of coating and scanning electron microscopy. The novel tetracalcium phosphate/monetite dentifrice had comparable remineralization potential as commercial calcium silicate/phosphate (SENSODYNE ® ) and magnesium aluminum silicate (Colgate ® ) toothpastes and significantly higher than control saliva (p<0.02). Surface roughness was significantly lower after treatment with prepared and SENSODYNE ® dentifirice (p<0.05). The coatings on dentin surfaces was significantly thicker after applying toothpastes as compared to negative control (p<0.001). The new fluoride toothpaste formulation with bioactive tetracalcium phosphate/monetite calcium phosphate mixture effectively occluded dentin tubules and showed good dentin remineralization potential under de/remineralization cycling. It could replace professional powder preparation based on this mixture. It was demonstrated that prepared dentifrice had comparable properties with commercial fluoride calcium silicate/phosphate or magnesium aluminum silicate dentifrices. Copyright © 2017 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In vitro effect of fluoride oral hygiene tablets on artificial caries lesion formation and remineralization in human enamel

PubMed Central

Gängler, Peter; Kremniczky, Thomas; Arnold, Wolfgang H

2009-01-01

Background Aim of this in-vitro-study was to assess the remineralization potential of a tooth cleaning tablet with different fluoride content. Methods Twenty three caries free impacted third molars were examined, enamel surfaces were wax coated leaving two 3 × 4 mm windows for exposure to demineralization/remineralization cycles. The teeth were randomly assigned to 4 groups of 5 control and 6 experimental teeth. Demineralization by standardised HEC-gel, pH 4.7 at 37°C for 72 h, was alternated by rinsing in remineralization solution, pH 7.0 at 37°C for 72 h, total challenge time 432 h. The negative control group N was treated during remineralization cycles with saline; positive control group P was treated with remineralization solution; experimental group D1 was exposed to remineralization solution containing Denttabs®-tablets with 1450 ppm F; experimental group D2 was exposed to remineralization solution and Denttabs®-tablets with 4350 ppm F. Each tooth was cut into serial sections and analyzed by polarized light microscopy for assessment of the different zones of white-spot lesions in 3 representative sections. Statistical analysis was based on the Mann-Whitney-Test. Results Both control groups N(-) and P(+) exhibited characteristic white-spot lesions. The remineralization and the demineralization inhibition of the lesions increased considerably from N

Effect of Galla chinensis on the remineralization of two bovine root lesions morphous in vitro.

PubMed

Guo, Bin; Que, Ke-Hua; Jing Yang; Wang, Bo; Liang, Qian-Qian; Xie, Hong-Hui

2012-09-01

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of Galla chinensis compounds on the remineralization of two artificial root lesions morphous in vitro. Sixty bovine dentine blocks were divided into two groups and individually treated with two levels of demineralization solutions to form erosive and subsurface artificial carious lesions in vitro. Each group was then divided into three subgroups, each of which were treated with a remineralization solution (positive control), deionized water (negative control), or 4 000 mg⋅L(-1) aqueous solutions of Galla chinensis extract. The dentine blocks were then subjected to a pH-cycling regime for 7 days. During the first 4 days, the daily cycle included 21-h deal and 3-h demineralization applications. The dentine blocks were dealt with the entire day during the remaining 3 days. Two specimens from each of the treatment groups were selected and observed under a polarized light microscope. Data collected using a laser scanning confocal microscope were computerized and analyzed. Galla chinensis extract clearly enhanced the remineralization of both erosive lesion and subsurface lesion patterns in the specimens (P<0.05). The level of remineralization of the erosive lesion by Galla chinensis extract was lower than that of the subsurface lesion (P<0.05). In addition, the remineralization of the subsurface lesion by Galla chinensis extract was higher than that of the remineralization solution (P<0.05). No significant difference between the remineralization of erosive lesions by Galla chinensis extract and the remineralization solution was observed (P>0.05). So Galla chinensis extract has the potential to improve the remineralization of artificial root lesions under dynamic pH-cyclic conditions, indicating its potential use as a natural remineralization medicine.

Seasonal trends in the pigment and amino acid compositions of sinking particles in biogenic CaCO 3 and SiO 2 dominated regions of the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean along 170°W

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ingalls, Anitra E.; Liu, Zhanfei; Lee, Cindy

2006-05-01

We investigated amino acids and pigments in particles settling through the water column of the Southern Ocean and showed that spatial and temporal differences in phytoplankton source and consumer population influence sinking particle composition. Sediment traps were deployed along 170°W from November 1996 to March 1998 as part of the United States Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (US JGOFS) Antarctic Environment Southern Ocean Process Study (AESOPS) program. Peak fluxes of amino acids and pigments occurred during austral spring and summer (November-April) and were highest in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). Compositional changes in pigments and total hydrolyzed amino acids demonstrate how the source of sinking particles varies with latitude and suggest that sinking material was most degraded in relatively diatom-depleted regions and toward the end of the high-flux period (February-March). At the Subantarctic Front, high proportions of pheophytin and β-alanine illustrate the important role of microbes in degradation. Further south at the Antarctic Polar Front, glycine, pyropheophorbide, and pheophorbide enrichments reflected a greater contribution of diatoms and greater processing by zooplankton grazers. Even further south in the ACC, enrichments of the diatom pigment fucoxanthin, diatom cell wall indicators glycine and serine, and diatom frustule-bound amino acids suggested the settling of empty frustules and aggregates. Despite being protected by the mineral, diatom-bound amino acids were not preferentially preserved between shallow and deep traps, possibly because of silica dissolution and a relatively small amount of organic carbon remineralization. Our results show that organic matter at diatom-rich stations is removed by mechanisms that do not result in the appearance of organic matter degradation indicators. Recent observations that calcium carbonate has a higher carrying capacity for sinking organic matter than silica may be related to diatom silicification, physiological status and decomposition pathway.

Demineralization-remineralization dynamics in teeth and bone.

PubMed

Abou Neel, Ensanya Ali; Aljabo, Anas; Strange, Adam; Ibrahim, Salwa; Coathup, Melanie; Young, Anne M; Bozec, Laurent; Mudera, Vivek

Biomineralization is a dynamic, complex, lifelong process by which living organisms control precipitations of inorganic nanocrystals within organic matrices to form unique hybrid biological tissues, for example, enamel, dentin, cementum, and bone. Understanding the process of mineral deposition is important for the development of treatments for mineralization-related diseases and also for the innovation and development of scaffolds. This review provides a thorough overview of the up-to-date information on the theories describing the possible mechanisms and the factors implicated as agonists and antagonists of mineralization. Then, the role of calcium and phosphate ions in the maintenance of teeth and bone health is described. Throughout the life, teeth and bone are at risk of demineralization, with particular emphasis on teeth, due to their anatomical arrangement and location. Teeth are exposed to food, drink, and the microbiota of the mouth; therefore, they have developed a high resistance to localized demineralization that is unmatched by bone. The mechanisms by which demineralization-remineralization process occurs in both teeth and bone and the new therapies/technologies that reverse demineralization or boost remineralization are also scrupulously discussed. Technologies discussed include composites with nano- and micron-sized inorganic minerals that can mimic mechanical properties of the tooth and bone in addition to promoting more natural repair of surrounding tissues. Turning these new technologies to products and practices would improve health care worldwide.

Demineralization–remineralization dynamics in teeth and bone

PubMed Central

Abou Neel, Ensanya Ali; Aljabo, Anas; Strange, Adam; Ibrahim, Salwa; Coathup, Melanie; Young, Anne M; Bozec, Laurent; Mudera, Vivek

2016-01-01

Biomineralization is a dynamic, complex, lifelong process by which living organisms control precipitations of inorganic nanocrystals within organic matrices to form unique hybrid biological tissues, for example, enamel, dentin, cementum, and bone. Understanding the process of mineral deposition is important for the development of treatments for mineralization-related diseases and also for the innovation and development of scaffolds. This review provides a thorough overview of the up-to-date information on the theories describing the possible mechanisms and the factors implicated as agonists and antagonists of mineralization. Then, the role of calcium and phosphate ions in the maintenance of teeth and bone health is described. Throughout the life, teeth and bone are at risk of demineralization, with particular emphasis on teeth, due to their anatomical arrangement and location. Teeth are exposed to food, drink, and the microbiota of the mouth; therefore, they have developed a high resistance to localized demineralization that is unmatched by bone. The mechanisms by which demineralization–remineralization process occurs in both teeth and bone and the new therapies/technologies that reverse demineralization or boost remineralization are also scrupulously discussed. Technologies discussed include composites with nano- and micron-sized inorganic minerals that can mimic mechanical properties of the tooth and bone in addition to promoting more natural repair of surrounding tissues. Turning these new technologies to products and practices would improve health care worldwide. PMID:27695330

Biomimetic remineralization of dentin

PubMed Central

Niu, Li-na; Zhang, Wei; Pashley, David H.; Breschi, Lorenzo; Mao, Jing; Chen, Ji-hua; Tay, Franklin R.

2013-01-01

Objectives Remineralization of demineralized dentin is important for improving dentin bonding stability and controlling primary and secondary caries. Nevertheless, conventional dentin remineralization strategy is not suitable for remineralizing completely-demineralized dentin within hybrid layers created by etch-and-rinse and moderately aggressive self-etch adhesive systems, or the superficial part of a caries-affected dentin lesion left behind after minimally invasive caries removal. Biomimetic remineralization represents a different approach to this problem by attempting to backfill the demineralized dentin collagen with liquid-like amorphous calcium phosphate nanoprecursor particles that are stabilized by biomimetic analogs of noncollagenous proteins. Methods This paper reviewed the changing concepts in calcium phosphate mineralization of fibrillar collagen, including the recently discovered, non-classical particle-based crystallization concept, formation of polymer-induced liquid- precursors (PILP), experimental collagen models for mineralization, and the need for using phosphate-containing biomimetic analogs for biomimetic mineralization of collagen. Published work on the remineralization of resin-dentin bonds and artificial caries-like lesions by various research groups was then reviewed. Finally, the problems and progress associated with the translation of a scientifically-sound concept into a clinically-applicable approach are discussed. Results and Significance The particle-based biomimetic remineralization strategy based on the PILP process demonstrates great potential in remineralizing faulty hybrid layers or caries-like dentin. Based on this concept, research in the development of more clinically feasible dentin remineralization strategy, such as incorporating poly(anionic) acid-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate nanoprecursor-containing mesoporous silica nanofillers in dentin adhesives, may provide a promising strategy for increasing of the durability of resin-dentin bonding and remineralizing caries-affected dentin. PMID:23927881

Impact of dentifrice abrasivity and remineralization time on erosive tooth wear in vitro.

PubMed

Buedel, Sarah; Lippert, Frank; Zero, Domenick T; Eckert, George J; Hara, Anderson T

2018-02-01

To investigate the in vitro effects of simulated dentifrice slurry abrasivity (L-low, M-medium and H-high) and remineralization time (0, 30, 60 and 120 minutes) on erosive tooth wear. Enamel and root dentin specimens were prepared from bovine incisors (n= 8) and submitted to a cycling protocol including erosion, remineralization at the test times, and brushing with each of the tested slurries, for 5 days. Dental surface loss (SL) was determined by optical profilometry. Data was analyzed using mixed-model ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD tests (alpha= 0.05). SL generally increased along with the increase in slurry abrasive level, with significance dependent upon the specific substrate and remineralization times. H showed the highest SL on both enamel and dentin; remineralization for 30 minutes reduced SL significantly (P< 0.05), but only for enamel. M showed intermediate SL values, with remineralization benefit clearly seen only after 120 minutes of remineralization (P< 0.05). L caused the least SL for both enamel and dentin, which was further reduced after remineralization for 120 and 30 minutes, respectively (both P< 0.05). Overall, root dentin had significantly higher SL than enamel. Less abrasive dentifrice slurries were able to reduce toothbrushing abrasion on both enamel and root dentin. This protection was enhanced by remineralization for all abrasive levels on enamel, but only for L on root dentin. High-risk erosion patients should avoid highly abrasive toothpastes, as remineralization can only partially compensate for their deleterious effects on eroded dental surfaces. Lower abrasive toothpastes are recommended. Copyright©American Journal of Dentistry.

Implication of ethanol wet-bonding in hybrid layer remineralization.

PubMed

Kim, J; Gu, L; Breschi, L; Tjäderhane, L; Choi, K K; Pashley, D H; Tay, F R

2010-06-01

During mineralization, unbound water within the collagen matrix is replaced by apatite. This study tested the null hypothesis that there is no difference in the status of in vitro biomimetic remineralization of hybrid layers, regardless of their moisture contents. Acid-etched dentin was bonded with One-Step with ethanol-wet-bonding, water-wet-bonding, and water-overwet-bonding protocols. Composite-dentin slabs were subjected to remineralization for 1-4 months in a medium containing dual biomimetic analogs, with set Portland cement as the calcium source and characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Remineralization was either non-existent or restricted to the intrafibrillar mode in ethanol-wet-bonded specimens. Extensive intrafibrillar and interfibrillar remineralization was observed in water-wet-bonded specimens. Water-overwet specimens demonstrated partial remineralization of hybrid layers and precipitation of mineralized plates within water channels. The use of ethanol-wet-bonding substantiates that biomimetic remineralization is a progressive dehydration process that replaces residual water in hybrid layers with apatite crystallites.

Quantitative remineralization evolution kinetics of artificially demineralized human enamel using photothermal radiometry and modulated luminescence.

PubMed

Hellen, Adam; Mandelis, Andreas; Finer, Yoav; Amaechi, Bennett T

2011-11-01

Human molars were subjected to demineralization in acid gel followed by incubation in remineralization solutions without or with fluoride (1 or 1000 ppm). Photothermal radiometry (PTR) and modulated luminescence (LUM) frequency scans were performed prior to and during de/remineralization treatments. Transverse Micro-Radiography (TMR) analysis followed at treatment conclusion to determine mineral loss and lesion depth. The remineralization process illustrated a complex interplay between surface and subsurface mineral deposition, confining the thermal-wave centroid toward the dominating layer. Experimental amplitudes and phases were fitted to a coupled diffuse-photon-density-wave and thermal-wave theoretical model used to quantitatively evaluate evolving changes in thermal and optical properties of de/remineralized enamel lesions. Additional information obtained from the LUM data corroborated the remineralization kinetics affecting the PTR signals. The results pointed to enhanced effectiveness of subsurface lesion remineralization in the presence of fluoride. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Benthic biogeochemical cycling, nutrient stoichiometry, and carbon and nitrogen mass balances in a eutrophic freshwater bay

USGS Publications Warehouse

Klump, J.V.; Fitzgerald, S.A.; Waplesa, J.T.

2009-01-01

Green Bay, while representing only ,7% of the surface area and ??1.4% of the volume of Lake Michigan, contains one-third of the watershed of the lake, and receives approximately one-third of the total nutrient loading to the Lake Michigan basin, largely from the Fox River at the southern end of the bay. With a history of eutrophic conditions dating back nearly a century, the southern portion of the bay behaves as an efficient nutrient and sediment trap, sequestering much of the annual carbon and nitrogen input within sediments accumulating at up to 1 cm per year. Depositional fluxes of organic matter varied from ??0.1 mol C m-2 yr-1 to >10 mol C m-2 yr-1 and were both fairly uniform in stoichiometric composition and relatively labile. Estimates of benthic recycling derived from pore-water concentration gradients, whole-sediment incubation experiments, and deposition-burial models of early diagenesis yielded an estimated 40% of the carbon and 50% of the nitrogen recycled back into the overlying water. Remineralization was relatively rapid with ??50% of the carbon remineralized within <15 yr of deposition, and a mean residence time for metabolizable carbon and nitrogen in the sediments of 20 yr. On average, organic carbon regeneration occurred as 75% CO2, 15% CH4, and 10% dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Carbon and nitrogen budgets for the southern bay were based upon direct measurements of inputs and burial and upon estimates of export and production derived stoichiometrically from a coupled phosphorus budget. Loadings of organic carbon from rivers were ??3.7 mol m-2 yr-1, 80% in the form of DOC and 20% as particulate organic carbon. These inputs were lost through export to northern Green Bay and Lake Michigan (39%), through sediment burial (26%), and net CO2 release to the atmosphere (35%). Total carbon input, including new production, was 4.54 mol m-2 C yr-1, equivalent to ??10% of the gross annual primary production. Nitrogen budget terms were less well quantified, with nitrogen export ??54% of total inputs and burial ??24%, leaving an unquantified residual loss term in the nitrogen budget of ??22%. ?? 2009.

The use of sodium trimetaphosphate as a biomimetic analog of matrix phosphoproteins for remineralization of artificial caries-like dentin

PubMed Central

Liu, Yan; Li, Nan; Qi, Yipin; Niu, Li-na; Elshafiy, Sally; Mao, Jing; Breschi, Lorenzo; Pashley, David H.; Tay, Franklin R.

2011-01-01

Objectives This study examined the use of sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) as a biomimetic analog of matrix phosphoproteins for remineralization of artificial carious-affected dentin. Methods Artificial carious lesions with lesion depths of 300±30 µm were created by pH-cycling. 2.5% hydrolyzed STMP was applied to the artificial carious lesions to phosphorylate the partially-demineralized collagen matrix. Half of the STMP-treated specimens were bonded with One-Step. The adhesive and non-adhesive infiltrated specimens were remineralized in a Portland cement-simulated body fluid system containing polyacrylic acid (PAA) to stabilize amorphous calcium phosphate as nanoprecursors. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to evaluate the results of remineralization after a 4-month period. Results In absence of PAA and STMP as biomimetic analogs (control groups), there was no remineralization irrespective of whether the lesions were infiltrated with adhesive. For the STMP-treated experimental groups immersed in PAA-containing simulated body fluid, specimens without adhesive infiltration were more heavily remineralized than those infiltrated with adhesive. Statistical analysis of the 4-month micro-CT data revealed significant differences in the lesion depth, relative mineral content along the lesion surface and changes in ΔZ between the non-adhesive and adhesive experimental groups (p<0.05 for all the three parameters). TEM examination indicated that collagen degradation occurred in both the non-adhesive and adhesive control and experimental groups after 4 months of remineralization. Significance Biomimetic remineralization using STMP is a promising method to remineralize artificial carious lesions particularly in areas devoid of seed crystallites. Future studies should consider the incorporation of MMP-inhibitors within the partially-demineralized collagen matrix to prevent collagen degradation during remineralization. PMID:21354608

Remineralization of enamel subsurface lesions with casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate: A quantitative energy dispersive X-ray analysis using scanning electron microscopy: An in vitro study

PubMed Central

Hegde, Mithra N; Moany, Anu

2012-01-01

Aim: The objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the remineralization potential of casein phosphopeptide-amor-phous calcium phosphate paste on enamel subsurface lesions using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX). Materials and Methods: Ninety enamel specimens were prepared from extracted human molars. All specimens were evaluated for mineral content (% weight) using SEM-EDX. The specimens were placed in demineralizing solution for four days to produce artificial carious lesions. The mineral content (calcium/phosphorus ratios, Ca/P ratios) was remeasured using SEM-EDX. The specimens were then randomly assigned to five study groups and one control group of 15 specimens per group. Except for the control group, all group specimens were incubated in remineralizing paste (CPP-ACP paste) for 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days twice daily for three minutes. The control group received no treatment with remineralizing paste. All the 90 specimens were stored in artificial saliva at 37°C. After remineralization, the mineral content (% weight) of the samples was measured using SEM-EDX. Results: All the study groups showed very highly significant differences between Ca/P ratios of the demineralized and remineralized samples. There was no significant difference seen in the control group. Conclusion: CPP-ACP paste could significantly remineralize the artificial enamel subsurface lesions in vitro: the remineralizing rates increasing with the time for which the samples were kept in the remineralizing paste. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis is an efficient way to quantitatively assess the changes in mineral content during demineralization and in vitro remineralization processes. PMID:22368338

Biomimetic remineralization of dentin.

PubMed

Niu, Li-Na; Zhang, Wei; Pashley, David H; Breschi, Lorenzo; Mao, Jing; Chen, Ji-Hua; Tay, Franklin R

2014-01-01

Remineralization of demineralized dentin is important for improving dentin bonding stability and controlling primary and secondary caries. Nevertheless, conventional dentin remineralization strategy is not suitable for remineralizing completely demineralized dentin within hybrid layers created by etch-and-rinse and moderately aggressive self-etch adhesive systems, or the superficial part of a caries-affected dentin lesion left behind after minimally invasive caries removal. Biomimetic remineralization represents a different approach to this problem by attempting to backfill the demineralized dentin collagen with liquid-like amorphous calcium phosphate nanoprecursor particles that are stabilized by biomimetic analogs of noncollagenous proteins. This paper reviewed the changing concepts in calcium phosphate mineralization of fibrillar collagen, including the recently discovered, non-classical particle-based crystallization concept, formation of polymer-induced liquid-precursors (PILP), experimental collagen models for mineralization, and the need for using phosphate-containing biomimetic analogs for biomimetic mineralization of collagen. Published work on the remineralization of resin-dentin bonds and artificial caries-like lesions by various research groups was then reviewed. Finally, the problems and progress associated with the translation of a scientifically sound concept into a clinically applicable approach are discussed. The particle-based biomimetic remineralization strategy based on the PILP process demonstrates great potential in remineralizing faulty hybrid layers or caries-like dentin. Based on this concept, research in the development of more clinically feasible dentin remineralization strategy, such as incorporating poly(anionic) acid-stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate nanoprecursor-containing mesoporous silica nanofillers in dentin adhesives, may provide a promising strategy for increasing of the durability of resin-dentin bonding and remineralizing caries-affected dentin. Copyright © 2013 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The export and fate of organic matter in the ocean: New constraints from combining satellite and oceanographic tracer observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DeVries, Tim; Weber, Thomas

2017-03-01

The ocean's biological pump transfers carbon from the surface euphotic zone into the deep ocean, reducing the atmospheric CO2 concentration. Despite its climatic importance, there are large uncertainties in basic metrics of the biological pump. Previous estimates of the strength of the biological pump, as measured by the amount of organic carbon exported from the euphotic zone, range from about 4 to 12 Pg C yr-1. The fate of exported carbon, in terms of how efficiently it is transferred into the deep ocean, is even more uncertain. Here we present a new model of the biological pump that assimilates satellite and oceanographic tracer observations to constrain rates and patterns of organic matter production, export, and remineralization in the ocean. The data-assimilated model predicts a global particulate organic carbon (POC) flux out of the euphotic zone of ˜9 Pg C yr-1. The particle export ratio (the ratio of POC export to net primary production) is highest at high latitudes and lowest at low latitudes, but low-latitude export is greater than predicted by previous models, in better agreement with observed patterns of long-term carbon export. Particle transfer efficiency (Teff) through the mesopelagic zone is controlled by temperature and oxygen, with highest Teff for high-latitude regions and oxygen minimum zones. In contrast, Teff in the deep ocean (below 1000 m) is controlled by particle sinking speed, with highest deep ocean Teff below the subtropical gyres. These results emphasize the utility of both remote sensing and oceanographic tracer observations for constraining the operation of the biological pump.

Influence of Glacier Melting and River Discharges on the Nutrient Distribution and DIC Recycling in the Southern Chilean Patagonia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vargas, Cristian A.; Cuevas, L. Antonio; Silva, Nelson; González, Humberto E.; De Pol-Holz, Ricardo; Narváez, Diego A.

2018-01-01

The Chilean Patagonia constitutes one of the most important and extensive fjord systems worldwide, therefore can be used as a natural laboratory to elucidate the pathway of both organic and inorganic matter in the receiving environment. In this study we use data collected during an intensive oceanographic cruise along the Magellan Strait into the Almirantazgo Fjord in southern Patagonia to evaluate how different sources of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and recycling may impact particulate organic carbon (POC) δ13C and influence the nutrients and carbonate system spatial distribution. The carbonate system presented large spatial heterogeneity. The lowest total alkalinity and DIC were associated to freshwater dilution observed near melting glaciers. The δ13CDIC analysis suggests that most DIC in the upper 50 m depth was not derived from terrestrial organic matter remineralization. 13C-depleted riverine and ice-melting DIC influence the DIC pool along the study area, but due to that DIC concentration from rivers and glaciers is relatively low, atmospheric carbon contribution or biological processes seem to be more relevant. Intense undersaturation of CO2 was observed in high chlorophyll waters. Respired DIC coming from the bottom waters seems to be almost insignificant for the inorganic carbon pool and therefore do not impact significantly the stable carbon isotopic composition of dissolved organic carbon and POC in the upper 50 m depth. Considering the combined effect of cold and low alkalinity waters due to ice melting, our results highlight the importance of these processes in determining corrosive waters for CaCO3 and local acidification processes associated to calving glacier in fjord ecosystems.

Tidal pumping drives nutrient and dissolved organic matter dynamics in a Gulf of Mexico subterranean estuary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santos, Isaac R.; Burnett, William C.; Dittmar, Thorsten; Suryaputra, I. G. N. A.; Chanton, Jeffrey

2009-03-01

We hypothesize that nutrient cycling in a Gulf of Mexico subterranean estuary (STE) is fueled by oxygen and labile organic matter supplied by tidal pumping of seawater into the coastal aquifer. We estimate nutrient production rates using the standard estuarine model and a non-steady-state box model, separate nutrient fluxes associated with fresh and saline submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), and estimate offshore fluxes from radium isotope distributions. The results indicate a large variability in nutrient concentrations over tidal and seasonal time scales. At high tide, nutrient concentrations in shallow beach groundwater were low as a result of dilution caused by seawater recirculation. During ebb tide, the concentrations increased until they reached a maximum just before the next high tide. The dominant form of nitrogen was dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in freshwater, nitrate in brackish waters, and ammonium in saline waters. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) production was two-fold higher in the summer than in the winter, while nitrate and DON production were one order of magnitude higher. Oxic remineralization and denitrification most likely explain these patterns. Even though fresh SGD accounted for only ˜5% of total volumetric additions, it was an important pathway of nutrients as a result of biogeochemical inputs in the mixing zone. Fresh SGD transported ˜25% of DOC and ˜50% of total dissolved nitrogen inputs into the coastal ocean, with the remainder associated with a one-dimensional vertical seawater exchange process. While SGD volumetric inputs are similar seasonally, changes in the biogeochemical conditions of this coastal plain STE led to higher summertime SGD nutrient fluxes (40% higher for DOC and 60% higher for nitrogen in the summer compared to the winter). We suggest that coastal primary production and nutrient dynamics in the STE are linked.

Detection of Dental Secondary Caries Using Frequency-Domain Infrared Photothermal Radiometry (PTR) and Modulated Luminescence (LUM)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, J.; Mandelis, A.; Matvienko, A.; Abrams, S.; Amaechi, B. T.

2012-11-01

The ability of frequency-domain photothermal radiometry (PTR) and modulated luminescence (LUM) to detect secondary caries is presented. Signal behavior upon sequential demineralization and remineralization of a spot (diameter ~1 mm) on a vertical wall of sectioned tooth samples was investigated experimentally. From these studies, it was found that PTR-LUM signals change, showing a certain pattern upon progressive demineralization and remineralization. PTR amplitudes slightly decreased upon progressive demineralization and slightly increased upon subsequent remineralization. The PTR phase increased during both demineralization and remineralization. LUM amplitudes exhibit a decreasing trend at excitation/probe distances larger than 200 μm away from the edge for both demineralization and remineralization; however, at locations close to the edge (up to ~200 μm), LUM signals slightly decrease upon demineralization and slightly increase during subsequent remineralization.

Remineralization of in vitro dental caries assessed with polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, Robert S.; Darling, Cynthia L.; Featherstone, John D. B.; Fried, Daniel

2006-01-01

Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) is potentially useful for imaging the nonsurgical remineralization of dental enamel. This study uses an all-fiber-based PS-OCT system operating at 1310 nm to image demineralized and fluoride-enhanced remineralized artificial lesions. PS-OCT images of lesions before and after remineralization are compared with the relative mineral loss ΔZ (%vol×µm), obtained from high resolution digital microradiography (DM), and chemical composition changes by infrared spectroscopy. Severe early artificial caries show a significant increase in perpendicular-axis integrated reflectivity after remineralization. After sectioning the samples, DM demonstrates that the lesions remineralized with new mineral and the lesion surface zone show significant restoration of mineral volume. PS-OCT and DM both do not show a major change in lesion depth. For less severe artificial caries, the perpendicular-axis image resolves the scattering and depolarization of an outer growth layer after remineralization. This outer layer has a mineral volume close to that of sound enamel, and spectroscopic analysis indicates that the layer is a highly crystalline phase of apatite, without carbonate substitutions that increase the solubility of sound enamel. This study determines that PS-OCT can image the effects of fluoride-enhanced remineralization of mild and severe early artificial in vitro caries.

Efficacy of CPP-ACP and CPP-ACPF on enamel remineralization - an in vitro study using scanning electron microscope and DIAGNOdent.

PubMed

Jayarajan, Jayanth; Janardhanam, P; Jayakumar, P

2011-01-01

Remineralization as a treatment procedure has received a lot of attention both from clinicians as well researchers. The objective of this in vitro study was to find out the efficacy of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride (CPP-ACPF) in remineralizing enamel surface on which artificial caries lesion had been created. The changes were analyzed using DIAGNOdent (KaVo) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Ninety maxillary premolars were selected and divided into three groups of 30 teeth each: A (artificial saliva), B (CPP-ACP), and C (CPP-ACPF). All the samples were assessed using DIAGNOdent at the baseline and after demineralization and remineralization. Three samples were randomly selected from each group after remineralization for surface evaluation using SEM. Statistical analysis showed that group B {CPP-ACP (4.1 ± 1.8)} and group C {CPP-ACPF (4.8 ± 1.2)} had a significantly higher amount of remineralization than group A (1.7 ± 0.7). All the three groups showed a statistically significant amount of remineralization. However, because of the added benefit of fluoride (NaF 0.2%), CPP-ACPF (Tooth Mousse-Plus) showed marginally more amount of remineralization than CPP-ACP (Tooth Mousse).

Assessment of remineralized dentin lesions with thermal and near-infrared reflectance imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Robert C.; Darling, Cynthia L.; Fried, Daniel

2016-02-01

Accurate detection and measurement of the highly mineralized surface layer that forms on caries lesions is important for the diagnosis of lesion activity. Previous studies have demonstrated that optical imaging methods can be used to measure the degree of remineralization on enamel lesions. The purpose of this study was to determine if thermal and near-IR reflectance imaging could be used to assess the remineralization process in simulated dentin lesions. Artificial bovine (n=15) dentin lesions were prepared by immersion in a demineralization solution for 24 hours and they were subsequently placed in an acidic remineralization solution for up to 12 days. The samples were dehydrated using an air spray for 30 seconds and imaged using thermal and InGaAs cameras. The area enclosed by the time-temperature curve, ΔQ, from thermal imaging decreased significantly with longer periods of remineralization. However, near-IR reflectance intensity differences, ΔI, before and after dehydration failed to show any significant relationship with the degree of remineralization. This study shows that thermal imaging can be used for the assessment of the remineralization of dentin lesions.

Novel amelogenin-releasing hydrogel for remineralization of enamel artificial caries

PubMed Central

Fan, Yuwei; Wen, Zezhang T; Liao, Sumei; Lallier, Thomas; Hagan, Joseph L; Twomley, Jefferson T; Zhang, Jian-Feng; Sun, Zhi; Xu, Xiaoming

2013-01-01

Recently, the use of recombinant full-length amelogenin protein in combination with fluoride has shown promising results in the formation of densely packed enamel-like structures. In this study, amelogenin (rP172)-releasing hydrogels containing calcium, phosphate, and fluoride were investigated for remineralization efficacy using in vitro early enamel caries models. The hydrogels were applied to artificial caries lesions on extracted human third molars, and the remineralization efficacy was tested in different models: static gel remineralization in the presence of artificial saliva, pH cyclic treatment at pH 5.4 acetic buffer and pH 7.3 gel remineralization, and treatment with multispecies oral biofilms grown in a continuous flowing constant-depth film fermenter. The surface microhardness of remineralized enamel increased significantly when amelogenin was released from hydrogel. No cytotoxicity was observed when periodontal ligament cells were cultured with the mineralized hydrogels. PMID:23338820

Cariotester, a new device for assessment of dentin lesion remineralization in vitro.

PubMed

Utaka, Sachiko; Nakashima, Syozi; Sadr, Alireza; Ikeda, Masaomi; Nikaido, Toru; Shimizu, Akihiko; Tagami, Junji

2013-01-01

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of a new device (Cariotester) for monitoring of incipient carious lesion remineralization in root dentin by topical fluoride in vitro. Demineralized bovine dentin specimens were treated by fluoride solutions (APF or neutral NaF) and remineralized for 4 weeks. Cariotester was used to measure penetration depth (CTR depth) of the indenter into the de- and remineralized specimen surface. The specimens were assessed by transverse microradiography (TMR) to determine lesion parameters (depth: LD, mineral loss: ΔZ). Pearson's correlation analysis showed an overall significant relationship between CTR depth and both TMR parameters. CTR depth appeared to distinguish the positive effect that topical fluoride application had on the remineralization of the outer zone of dentin lesions. Cariotester had the potential to serve as a quantitative tool for monitoring of incipient carious lesion remineralization in root dentin.

An in vitro study of the microstructure, composition and nanoindentation mechanical properties of remineralizing human dental enamel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arsecularatne, J. A.; Hoffman, M.

2014-08-01

This paper describes the results of an in vitro investigation on the interrelations among microstructure, composition and mechanical properties of remineralizing human dental enamel. Polished enamel samples have been demineralized for 10 min in an acetic acid solution (at pH 3) followed by remineralization in human saliva for 30 and 120 min. Microstructure variations of sound, demineralized and remineralized enamel samples have been analysed using focused ion beam, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, while their compositions have been analysed using energy dispersive x-ray. Variations in the mechanical properties of enamel samples have been assessed using nanoindentation. The results reveal that, under the selected conditions, only partial remineralization of the softened enamel surface layer occurs where some pores remain unrepaired. As a result, while the nanoindentation elastic modulus shows an improvement following remineralization, hardness does not.

Contemporary research findings on dentine remineralization.

PubMed

Zhong, Bo; Peng, Ce; Wang, Guanhong; Tian, Lili; Cai, Qiang; Cui, Fuzhai

2015-09-01

Dentine remineralization is important for the treatment of dentine caries and the bonding durability of dentine and resin materials in clinical practice. Early studies of dentine remineralization were mostly based on the classical pathway of crystallization, which involves large-scale deposition of calcium phosphate crystals on collagen and is achieved in a liquid environment containing mineral ions. Results from these studies were unsatisfactory and not suitable for clinical application because they did not simulate the ordering of hydroxyapatite in the collagen fibres of natural teeth. As studies on collagen type I and non-collagenous proteins have advanced, dentine biomimetic remineralization has become a popular research topic and has shifted to processes involving intrafibrillar remineralization, which is more similar to natural tooth formation. The objective of this review was to summarize current theory and research progress as it relates to dentine remineralization. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Manganese, Iron, and sulfur cycling in Louisiana continental shelf sediments

EPA Science Inventory

Sulfate reduction is considered the primary pathway for organic carbon remineralization on the northern Gulf of Mexico Louisiana continental shelf (LCS) where bottom waters are seasonally hypoxic, yet limited information is available on the importance of iron and manganese cyclin...

Vertical scanning interferometry: A new method to quantify re-/de-mineralization dynamics of dental enamel.

PubMed

Pignatelli, Isabella; Kumar, Aditya; Shah, Kumar; Balonis, Magdalena; Bauchy, Mathieu; Wu, Benjamin; Sant, Gaurav

2016-10-01

Remineralization and demineralization are processes that compete in the oral environment. At this time, numerous therapeutic agents are being developed to promote remineralization (precipitation) or suppress demineralization (dissolution). To evaluate the relative efficacy of such treatments, there is a need for non-invasive, real-time, high-resolution quantifications of topographical changes occurring during demineralization and remineralization. Vertical scanning interferometry (VSI) is demonstrated to be a quantitative method to assess reactions, and topographical changes occurring on enamel surfaces following exposure to demineralizing, and remineralizing liquids. First, the dissolution rate of enamel was compared to that of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAP) under acidic conditions (pH=4). Second, VSI was used to compare the remineralization effects of F(-)-based and CCP-ACP agents. The former produced a remineralization rate of ≈349nm/h, similar to simulated body fluid (SBF; concentration 4.6×) while the latter produced a remineralization rate of ≈55nm/h, corresponding to 1.7× SBF. However, the precipitates formed by the CCP-ACP agent are found to demineralize 2.7× slower than that produced by its F(-)-counterpart. Based on this new VSI-based data, a remineralization factor (RF) and demineralization (DF) factor benchmarked, respectively, to 1× SBF and the demineralization rate of human enamel are suggested as figures of merit of therapeutic performance of dental treatments. Taken together, the outcomes offer new insights that can inform clinicians and researchers on the selection of remineralization strategies. Copyright © 2016 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Remineralization Potential of Three Tooth Pastes on Enamel Caries.

PubMed

Singhal, Rajnish K; Rai, Balwant

2017-08-15

Different formulations of dentifrices exist in the market. Usually, single toothpaste is used by all family members including children. There is a big concern of fluoride ingestion with the toothpaste containing high fluoride content in children. Recently, new toothpaste (including toothpaste) with remineralization potential without fluoride content has been formulated. There is an urgent need to compare remineralization potential of this new formulation with the exiting dentifrices. Therefore, the present study has been undertaken to assess and compare the remineralization potential of three dentifrices with different compositions on artificially induced carious lesions in vitro by using scanning electron microscopy and polarised light microscopy. The present in vitro study was conducted on 21 healthy extracted primary central incisor teeth surfaces, which were divided into three groups and were treated by three different dentifrices. Artificial demineralization was followed by remineralization using dentifrice slurry as per the group distribution. All the samples were studied for remineralization by using scanning electron microscopy and polarised light microscopy. Data were analysed using SPSS version 11 software. A significant difference was found between the remineralization potential of incudent toothpaste and other toothpaste groups based on the analysis of polarised light microscopy and stereomicroscope. The remineralizing ability of incudent toothpaste for artificial enamel lesions was found to be significantly higher than that of Colgate® and Crest toothpaste. The limitations of this study include, being a short term study, low sample size and in vitro experiment. incudent toothpaste has exhibited a higher remineralizing potential as compared to fluoride based toothpaste in our study.

EDX-Element Analysis of the In Vitro Effect of Fluoride Oral Hygiene Tablets on Artificial Caries Lesion Formation and Remineralization in Human Enamel.

PubMed

Eggerath, J; Kremniczky, T; Gaengler, P; Arnold, W H

2011-01-01

Aim of this in-vitro-study was to assess the remineralization potential of a tooth cleaning tablet with different fluoride content quantitatively using EDX analysis.Twenty three caries free impacted third molars were examined; enamel surfaces were wax coated leaving two 3x4mm windows for exposure to demineralization/remineralization cycles. The teeth were randomly assigned to 4 groups of 5 control and 6 experimental teeth each. Demineralization by standardized HEC-gel, pH 4.7 at 37°C for 72h, was alternated by rinsing in remineralization solution, pH 7.0 at 37°C for 72h, total challenge time 432h. The negative control group N was treated during remineralization cycles with saline; positive control group P was treated with remineralization solution; experimental group D1 was exposed to remineralization solution containing Denttabs(®)-tablets with 1450 ppm F; experimental group D2 was exposed to remineralization solution and Denttabs(®)-tablets with 4350 ppm F. Each tooth was cut into serial sections and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy with EDX element analysis for assessment of the different zones of the lesions in 3 representative sections. Statistical analysis was based on the AVOVA test for repeated measurements and post hoc Bonferroni adjustment. The results showed a significantly higher Ca and P content in the body of the lesion in both fluoride treated groups compared to the controls. It can be concluded that higher concentrations of NaF may be more effective in remineralization of early advanced caries lesions.

EDX-Element Analysis of the In Vitro Effect of Fluoride Oral Hygiene Tablets on Artificial Caries Lesion Formation and Remineralization in Human Enamel

PubMed Central

Eggerath, J; Kremniczky, T; Gaengler, P; Arnold, W.H

2011-01-01

Aim of this in-vitro-study was to assess the remineralization potential of a tooth cleaning tablet with different fluoride content quantitatively using EDX analysis. Twenty three caries free impacted third molars were examined; enamel surfaces were wax coated leaving two 3x4mm windows for exposure to demineralization/remineralization cycles. The teeth were randomly assigned to 4 groups of 5 control and 6 experimental teeth each. Demineralization by standardized HEC-gel, pH 4.7 at 37°C for 72h, was alternated by rinsing in remineralization solution, pH 7.0 at 37°C for 72h, total challenge time 432h. The negative control group N was treated during remineralization cycles with saline; positive control group P was treated with remineralization solution; experimental group D1 was exposed to remineralization solution containing Denttabs®-tablets with 1450 ppm F; experimental group D2 was exposed to remineralization solution and Denttabs®-tablets with 4350 ppm F. Each tooth was cut into serial sections and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy with EDX element analysis for assessment of the different zones of the lesions in 3 representative sections. Statistical analysis was based on the AVOVA test for repeated measurements and post hoc Bonferroni adjustment. The results showed a significantly higher Ca and P content in the body of the lesion in both fluoride treated groups compared to the controls. It can be concluded that higher concentrations of NaF may be more effective in remineralization of early advanced caries lesions. PMID:21687564

Rare earth elements and neodymium isotopes in sedimentary organic matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freslon, Nicolas; Bayon, Germain; Toucanne, Samuel; Bermell, Sylvain; Bollinger, Claire; Chéron, Sandrine; Etoubleau, Joel; Germain, Yoan; Khripounoff, Alexis; Ponzevera, Emmanuel; Rouget, Marie-Laure

2014-09-01

We report rare earth element (REE) and neodymium (Nd) isotope data for the organic fraction of sediments collected from various depositional environments, i.e. rivers (n = 25), estuaries (n = 18), open-ocean settings (n = 15), and cold seeps (n = 12). Sedimentary organic matter (SOM) was extracted using a mixed hydrogen peroxide/nitric acid solution (20%-H2O2-0.02 M-HNO3), after removal of carbonate and oxy-hydroxide phases with dilute hydrochloric acid (0.25 M-HCl). A series of experimental tests indicate that extraction of sedimentary organic compounds using H2O2 may be complicated occasionally by partial dissolution of sulphide minerals and residual carbonates. However, this contamination is expected to be minor for REE because measured concentrations in H2O2 leachates are about two-orders of magnitude higher than in the above mentioned phases. The mean REE concentrations determined in the H2O2 leachates for samples from rivers, estuaries, coastal seas and open-ocean settings yield relatively similar levels, with ΣREE = 109 ± 86 ppm (mean ± s; n = 58). The organic fractions leached from cold seep sediments display even higher concentration levels (285 ± 150 ppm; mean ± s; n = 12). The H2O2 leachates for most sediments exhibit remarkably similar shale-normalized REE patterns, all characterized by a mid-REE enrichment compared to the other REE. This suggests that the distribution of REE in leached sedimentary organic phases is controlled primarily by biogeochemical processes, rather than by the composition of the source from which they derive (e.g. pore, river or sea-water). The Nd isotopic compositions for organic phases leached from river sediments are very similar to those for the corresponding detrital fractions. In contrast, the SOM extracted from marine sediments display εNd values that typically range between the εNd signatures for terrestrial organic matter (inferred from the analysis of the sedimentary detrital fractions) and marine organic matter (inferred from the analysis of local surface seawater). A notable exception is the case of organic matter (OM) fractions leached from cold seep sediment samples, which sometimes exhibit εNd values markedly different from both terrigenous and surface seawater signatures. This suggests that a significant fraction of organic compounds in these sediments may be derived from chemosynthetic processes, recycling pore water REE characterized by a distinct isotopic composition. Overall, our results confirm that organic matter probably plays an important role in the oceanic REE budget, through direct scavenging and remineralization within the water column. Both the high REE abundances and the shape of shale-normalized patterns for leached SOM also suggest that OM degradation in sub-surface marine sediments during early diagenesis could control, to a large extent, the distribution of REE in pore waters. Benthic fluxes of organic-bound REE could hence substantially contribute to the exchange processes between particulates and seawater that take place at ocean margins. Neodymium isotopes could provide useful information for tracing the origin (terrestrial versus marine) and geographical provenance of organic matter, with potential applications in paleoceanography. In particular, future studies should further investigate the potential of Nd isotopes in organic compounds preserved in sedimentary records for reconstructing past variations of surface ocean circulation.

Water column biogeochemistry of oxygen minimum zones in the eastern tropical North Atlantic and eastern tropical South Pacific Oceans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Löscher, C. R.; Bange, H. W.; Schmitz, R. A.; Callbeck, C. M.; Engel, A.; Hauss, H.; Kanzow, T.; Kiko, R.; Lavik, G.; Loginova, A.; Melzner, F.; Neulinger, S. C.; Pahlow, M.; Riebesell, U.; Schunck, H.; Thomsen, S.; Wagner, H.

2015-03-01

Recent modeling results suggest that oceanic oxygen levels will decrease significantly over the next decades to centuries in response to climate change and altered ocean circulation. Hence the future ocean may experience major shifts in nutrient cycling triggered by the expansion and intensification of tropical oxygen minimum zones (OMZs). There are numerous feedbacks between oxygen concentrations, nutrient cycling and biological productivity; however, existing knowledge is insufficient to understand physical, chemical and biological interactions in order to adequately assess past and potential future changes. We investigated the pelagic biogeochemistry of OMZs in the eastern tropical North Atlantic and eastern tropical South Pacific during a series of cruise expeditions and mesocosm studies. The following summarizes the current state of research on the influence of low environmental oxygen conditions on marine biota, viruses, organic matter formation and remineralization with a particular focus on the nitrogen cycle in OMZ regions. The impact of sulfidic events on water column biogeochemistry, originating from a specific microbial community capable of highly efficient carbon fixation, nitrogen turnover and N2O production is further discussed. Based on our findings, an important role of sinking particulate organic matter in controlling the nutrient stochiometry of the water column is suggested. These particles can enhance degradation processes in OMZ waters by acting as microniches, with sharp gradients enabling different processes to happen in close vicinity, thus altering the interpretation of oxic and anoxic environments.

Combining casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate with fluoride: synergistic remineralization potential of artificially demineralized enamel or not?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elsayad, Iman; Sakr, Amal; Badr, Yahia

2009-07-01

Recaldent is a product of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP). The remineralizing potential of CPP-ACP per se, or when combined with 0.22% Fl gel on artificially demineralized enamel using laser florescence, is investigated. Mesial surfaces of 15 sound human molars are tested using a He-Cd laser beam at 441.5 nm with 18-mW power as an excitation source on a suitable setup based on a Spex 750-M monochromator provided with a photomultiplier tube (PMT) for detection of collected autofluorescence from sound enamel. Mesial surfaces are subjected to demineralization for ten days. The spectra from demineralized enamel are measured. Teeth are divided into three groups according to the remineralizing regimen: group 1 Recaldent per se, group 2 Recaldent combined with fluoride gel and ACP, and group 3 artificial saliva as a positive control. After following these protocols for three weeks, the spectra from the remineralized enamel are measured. The spectra of enamel autofluorescence are recorded and normalized to peak intensity at about 540 nm to compare spectra from sound, demineralized, and remineralized enamel surfaces. A slight red shift occurred in spectra from demineralized enamel, while a blue shift may occur in remineralized enamel. Group 2 shows the highest remineralizing potential. Combining fluoride and ACP with CPP-ACP can give a synergistic effect on enamel remineralization.

Role of enamel deminerlization and remineralization on microtensile bond strength of resin composite.

PubMed

Rizvi, Abbas; Zafar, Muhammad S; Al-Wasifi, Yasser; Fareed, Wamiq; Khurshid, Zohaib

2016-01-01

This study is aimed to establish the microtensile bond strength of enamel following exposure to an aerated drink at various time intervals with/without application of remineralization agent. In addition, degree of remineralization and demineralization of tooth enamel has been assessed using polarized light microscopy. Seventy extracted human incisors split into two halves were immersed in aerated beverage (cola drink) for 5 min and stored in saliva until the time of microtensile bond testing. Prepared specimens were divided randomly into two study groups; remineralizing group (n = 70): specimens were treated for remineralization using casein phosphopeptides and amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) remineralization agent (Recaldent™; GC Europe) and control group (n = 70): no remineralization treatment; specimens were kept in artificial saliva. All specimens were tested for microtensile bond strength at regular intervals (1 h, 1 days, 2 days, 1 week, and 2 weeks) using a universal testing machine. The results statistically analyzed (P = 0.05) using two-way ANOVA test. Results showed statistically significant increase in bond strength in CPP-ACP tested group (P < 0.05) at all-time intervals. The bond strength of remineralizing group samples at 2 days (~13.64 megapascals [MPa]) is comparable to that of control group after 1 week (~12.44 MPa). CPP-ACP treatment of teeth exposed to an aerated drink provided significant increase in bond strength at a shorter interval compared to teeth exposed to saliva alone.

Enamel demineralization and remineralization under plaque fluid-like conditions: a quantitative light-induced fluorescence study.

PubMed

Lippert, F; Butler, A; Lynch, R J M

2011-01-01

The present study investigated de- and remineralization in enamel lesions under plaque fluid (PF)-like conditions using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). Preformed lesions were exposed to partially saturated lactic acid solutions, varying in pH and fluoride concentration ([F]) based on a 5 × 3 factorial study design (0/0.1/0.5/1.5/4 ppm F; pH 4.9/5.2/5.5). Average fluorescence loss (ΔF) was monitored for 11 days. Subsequently, lesions were demineralized in a partially saturated acetic acid solution for two 24-hour periods. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of covariance. Lesions exposed to PF at 4 ppm F and pH 5.5 showed not only the most remineralization (ΔΔF = 28.2 ± 14.0%) for all groups after 11 days, but also the most demineralization (ΔΔF = -19.3 ± 13.5%) after subsequent acetic acid exposure. Increased [F] resulted in more remineralization, regardless of pH. Higher pH values resulted in more remineralization. No remineralization was observed in lesions exposed to F-free solutions, regardless of pH. Remineralization was noticeable under the following conditions: pH 4.9 - [F] = 4 ppm, pH 5.2 - [F] ≥ 1.5 ppm, and pH 5.5 - [F] ≥ 0.5 ppm. Overall, [F] had a stronger effect on remineralization than pH. Subsequent demineralization showed that little protection was offered by PF-like solutions, and further demineralization compared with baseline was observed on lesions not remineralized initially. [F] had a stronger effect on net mineral change than pH. The present study has shown that QLF is a valuable tool in studying lesion de- and remineralization under PF-like conditions, where [F] was shown to be more important than pH. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Water mass mixing: The dominant control on the zinc distribution in the North Atlantic Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roshan, Saeed; Wu, Jingfeng

2015-07-01

Dissolved zinc (dZn) concentration was determined in the North Atlantic during the U.S. GEOTRACES 2010 and 2011 cruise (GOETRACES GA03). A relatively poor linear correlation (R2 = 0.756) was observed between dZn and silicic acid (Si), the slope of which was 0.0577 nM/µmol/kg. We attribute the relatively poor dZn-Si correlation to the following processes: (a) differential regeneration of zinc relative to silicic acid, (b) mixing of multiple water masses that have different Zn/Si, and (c) zinc sources such as sedimentary or hydrothermal. To quantitatively distinguish these possibilities, we use the results of Optimum Multi-Parameter Water Mass Analysis by Jenkins et al. (2015) to model the zinc distribution below 500 m. We hypothesized two scenarios: conservative mixing and regenerative mixing. The first scenario (conservative) could be modeled to results in a correlation with observations with a R2 = 0.846. In the second scenario, we took a Si-related regeneration into account, which could model the observations with a R2 = 0.867. Through this regenerative mixing scenario, we estimated a Zn/Si = 0.0548 nM/µmol/kg that may be more realistic than linear regression slope due to accounting for process b. However, this did not improve the model substantially (R2 = 0.867 versus0.846), which may indicate the insignificant effect of remineralization on the zinc distribution in this region. The relative weakness in the model-observation correlation (R2~0.85 for both scenarios) implies that processes (a) and (c) may be plausible. Furthermore, dZn in the upper 500 m exhibited a very poor correlation with apparent oxygen utilization, suggesting a minimal role for the organic matter-associated remineralization process.

Multidecadal accumulation of anthropogenic and remineralized dissolved inorganic carbon along the Extended Ellett Line in the northeast Atlantic Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Humphreys, Matthew P.; Griffiths, Alex M.; Achterberg, Eric P.; Holliday, N. Penny; Rérolle, Victoire M. C.; Menzel Barraqueta, Jan-Lukas; Couldrey, Matthew P.; Oliver, Kevin I. C.; Hartman, Susan E.; Esposito, Mario; Boyce, Adrian J.

2016-02-01

Marine carbonate chemistry measurements have been carried out annually since 2009 during UK research cruises along the Extended Ellett Line (EEL), a hydrographic transect in the northeast Atlantic Ocean. The EEL intersects several water masses that are key to the global thermohaline circulation, and therefore the cruises sample a region in which it is critical to monitor secular physical and biogeochemical changes. We have combined results from these EEL cruises with existing quality-controlled observational data syntheses to produce a hydrographic time series for the EEL from 1981 to 2013. This reveals multidecadal increases in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) throughout the water column, with a near-surface maximum rate of 1.80 ± 0.45 µmol kg-1 yr-1. Anthropogenic CO2 accumulation was assessed, using simultaneous changes in apparent oxygen utilization (AOU) and total alkalinity (TA) as proxies for the biogeochemical processes that influence DIC. The stable carbon isotope composition of DIC (δ13CDIC) was also determined and used as an independent test of our method. We calculated a volume-integrated anthropogenic CO2 accumulation rate of 2.8 ± 0.4 mg C m-3 yr-1 along the EEL, which is about double the global mean. The anthropogenic CO2 component accounts for only 31 ± 6% of the total DIC increase. The remainder is derived from increased organic matter remineralization, which we attribute to the lateral redistribution of water masses that accompanies subpolar gyre contraction. Output from a general circulation ecosystem model demonstrates that spatiotemporal heterogeneity in the observations has not significantly biased our multidecadal rate of change calculations and indicates that the EEL observations have been tracking distal changes in the surrounding North Atlantic and Nordic Seas.

Nannoplankton malformation during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum and its paleoecological and paleoceanographic significance

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bralower, Timothy J.; Self-Trail, Jean

2016-01-01

The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is characterized by a transient group of nannoplankton, belonging to the genus Discoaster. Our investigation of expanded shelf sections provides unprecedented detail of the morphology and phylogeny of the transient Discoasterduring the PETM and their relationship with environmental change. We observe a much larger range of morphological variation than previously documented suggesting that the taxa belonged to a plexus of highly gradational morphotypes rather than individual species. We propose that the plexus represents malformed ecophenotypes of a single species that migrated to a deep photic zone refuge during the height of PETM warming and eutrophication. Anomalously, high rates of organic matter remineralization characterized these depths during the event and led to lower saturation levels, which caused malformation. The proposed mechanism explains the co-occurrence of malformed Discoaster with pristine species that grew in the upper photic zone; moreover, it illuminates why malformation is a rare phenomenon in the paleontological record.

Nannoplankton malformation during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum and its paleoecological and paleoceanographic significance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bralower, Timothy J.; Self-Trail, Jean M.

2016-10-01

The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is characterized by a transient group of nannoplankton, belonging to the genus Discoaster. Our investigation of expanded shelf sections provides unprecedented detail of the morphology and phylogeny of the transient Discoaster during the PETM and their relationship with environmental change. We observe a much larger range of morphological variation than previously documented suggesting that the taxa belonged to a plexus of highly gradational morphotypes rather than individual species. We propose that the plexus represents malformed ecophenotypes of a single species that migrated to a deep photic zone refuge during the height of PETM warming and eutrophication. Anomalously, high rates of organic matter remineralization characterized these depths during the event and led to lower saturation levels, which caused malformation. The proposed mechanism explains the co-occurrence of malformed Discoaster with pristine species that grew in the upper photic zone; moreover, it illuminates why malformation is a rare phenomenon in the paleontological record.

In vitro study of the effects of fluoride-releasing dental materials on remineralization in an enamel erosion model.

PubMed

Zhou, San Ling; Zhou, Jun; Watanabe, Shigeru; Watanabe, Koji; Wen, Ling Ying; Xuan, Kun

2012-03-01

This study was conducted to compare the remineralization effects of five regimens on the loss of fluorescence intensity, surface microhardness, roughness and microstructure of bovine enamel after remineralization. We hope that these results can provide some basis for the clinical application of these materials. One hundred bovine incisors were prepared and divided into the following five groups, which were treated with distinct dental materials: (1) Clinpro™ XT varnish (CV), (2) F-varnish (FV), (3) Tooth Mousse (TM), (4) Fuji III LC(®) light-cured glass ionomer pit and fissure sealant (FJ) and (5) Base Cement(®) glass polyalkenoate cement (BC). Subsequently, they were detected using four different methods: quantitative light-induced fluorescence, microhardness, surface 3D topography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The loss of fluorescence intensity of CV, BC and FJ groups showed significant decreases after remineralization (p<0.05). The microhardness values of the BC group were significantly higher than those of the other groups (p<0.05) after 6 weeks of remineralization. The CV group's surface roughness was significantly lower than those of the other groups after 6 weeks of remineralization (p<0.05). Regarding microstructure values, the FV group showed many round particles deposited in the bovine enamel after remineralization. However, the other four groups mainly showed needle-like crystals. Glass ionomer cement (GIC)-based dental materials can promote more remineralization of the artificial enamel lesions than can NaF-based dental materials. Resin-modified GIC materials (e.g., CV and FJ) have the potential for more controlled and sustained release of remineralized agents. The effect of TM requires further study. Crown Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An in vitro Comparative Evaluation of Three Remineralizing Agents using Confocal Microscopy

PubMed Central

Chokshi, Achala; Konde, Sapna; Shetty, Sunil Raj; Chandra, Kumar Narayan; Jana, Sinjana; Mhambrey, Sanjana; Thakur, Sneha

2016-01-01

Introduction The caries process has been thought to be irreversible, resulting in the permanent loss of tooth substance and eventually the development of a cavity. Recent approaches focused on application of remineralizing agents to incipient carious lesions, aim at controlling demineralization and promoting remineralization. Remineralizing agents create a supersaturated environment around the lesion; thus, preventing mineral loss and forces calcium and phosphate ions in the vacant areas. Aim To compare and evaluate the remineralization potential of Fluoride Varnish, CPP-ACP Paste (Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate) and fTCP Paste (functionalized Tricalcium Phosphate) using confocal microscope. Materials and Methods Two windows of 3X3mm were created on the labial cervical and incisal thirds in 60 permanent maxillary central incisors. The teeth were demineralized to create artificial caries and divided into three groups of 20 each. Group I specimens were coated with Fluoride Varnish once whereas those in CPP-ACP paste group and fTCP group were brushed for 2 minutes, twice daily for 20 and 40 days. The specimens were stored in artificial saliva during the study period and were later sectioned and observed under confocal microscope. Data obtained was statistically analyzed using Fischer’s exact test, ANOVA and post-hoc Bonferroni’s test. Results Fluoride Varnish, CPP-ACP Paste and fTCP Paste showed remineralization of artificial carious lesions at both the time intervals. Fluoride varnish showed the highest remineralization followed by CPP-ACP Paste and fTCP Paste. A statistically significant increase in remineralization potential of CPP-ACP Paste and fTCP Paste was observed at the end of 40 days as compared to 20 days. Conclusion Fluoride varnish showed the greatest remineralization potential of artificial carious lesions followed by CPP-ACP Paste and fTCP Paste respectively. PMID:27504408

Combining CPP-ACP with fluoride: a synergistic remineralization potential of artificially demineralized enamel or not?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Sayad, I. I.; Sakr, A. K.; Badr, Y. A.

2008-08-01

Background and objective: Minimal intervention dentistry (MID) calls for early detection and remineralization of initial demineralization. Laser fluorescence is efficient in detecting changes in mineral tooth content. Recaldent is a product of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP- ACP) which delivers calcium and phosphate ions to enamel. A new product which also contains fluoride is launched in United States. The remineralizing potential of CPP- ACP per se, or when combined with 0.22% Fl supplied in an oral care gel on artificially demineralised enamel using laser fluorescence was investigated. Methods: Fifteen sound human molars were selected. Mesial surfaces were tested using He-Cd laser beam at 441.5nm with 18mW power as excitation source on a suitable set-up based on Spex 750 M monochromator provided with PMT for detection of collected auto-fluorescence from sound enamel. Mesial surfaces were subjected to demineralization for ten days. The spectra from demineralized enamel were measured. Teeth were then divided according to the remineralizing regimen into three groups: group I recaldent per se, group II recaldent combined with fluoride gel and group III artificial saliva as a positive control. After following these protocols for three weeks, the spectra from remineralized enamel from the three groups were measured. The spectra of enamel auto-fluorescence were recorded and normalized to peak intensity at about 540 nm to compare between spectra from sound, demineralized and remineralized enamel surfaces. Results: A slight red shift was noticed in spectra from demineralized enamel, while a blue shift may occur in remineralized enamel. Group II showed the highest remineralizing potential. Conclusions: Combining fluoride with CPP-ACP had a synergistic effect on enamel remineralization. In addition, laser auto-fluorescence is an accurate technique for assessment of changes in tooth enamel minerals.

Effectiveness of fluorescence-based methods to detect in situ demineralization and remineralization on smooth surfaces.

PubMed

Moriyama, C M; Rodrigues, J A; Lussi, A; Diniz, M B

2014-01-01

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of fluorescence-based methods (DIAGNOdent, LF; DIAGNOdent pen, LFpen, and VistaProof fluorescence camera, FC) in detecting demineralization and remineralization on smooth surfaces in situ. Ten volunteers wore acrylic palatal appliances, each containing 6 enamel blocks that were demineralized for 14 days by exposure to a 20% sucrose solution and 3 of them were remineralized for 7 days with fluoride dentifrice. Sixty enamel blocks were evaluated at baseline, after demineralization and 30 blocks after remineralization by two examiners using LF, LFpen and FC. They were submitted to surface microhardness (SMH) and cross-sectional microhardness analysis. The integrated loss of surface hardness (ΔKHN) was calculated. The intraclass correlation coefficient for interexaminer reproducibility ranged from 0.21 (FC) to 0.86 (LFpen). SMH, LF and LFpen values presented significant differences among the three phases. However, FC fluorescence values showed no significant differences between the demineralization and remineralization phases. Fluorescence values for baseline, demineralized and remineralized enamel were, respectively, 5.4 ± 1.0, 9.2 ± 2.2 and 7.0 ± 1.5 for LF; 10.5 ± 2.0, 15.0 ± 3.2 and 12.5 ± 2.9 for LFpen, and 1.0 ± 0.0, 1.0 ± 0.1 and 1.0 ± 0.1 for FC. SMH and ΔKHN showed significant differences between demineralization and remineralization phases. There was a negative and significant correlation between SMH and LF and LFpen in the remineralization phase. In conclusion, LF and LFpen devices were effective in detecting demineralization and remineralization on smooth surfaces provoked in situ.

Novel carotenol chlorin esters in marine sediments and water column particulate matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goericke, Ralf; Shankle, Amy; Repeta, Daniel J.

1999-09-01

Novel esters of carotenols and chlorins (carotenol chlorin esters, CCEs) were found in recent sediments from the California Borderlands, Monterey Bay, and the Peru and Oman margins. The chlorins associated with CCEs were pheophorbide a and pyropheophorbide a, degradation products of chlorophyll a. Isofucoxanthin-dehydrate and isofucoxanthinol-dehydrate and possibly their isomers, degradation products of fucoxanthin, were the only carotenols associated with CCEs. This result is surprising, considering that at least 8 major degradation products of fucoxanthin are present in organic-rich marine sediments. The carotenols of CCEs are likely derived from diatoms as these are the primary source for fucoxanthin in the marine environment. In sediments studied by us, CCEs contributed approximately 10% to total solvent extractable chlorins. The high relative concentrations of CCEs in these sediments suggest that CCEs are an important degradation product of chlorophyll a in some marine environments; a pathway hitherto unrecognized. Off Oman and Southern California we found CCEs in water column suspended particulate matter when diatoms dominated the phytoplankton community. By analogy with sterol chlorin esters, we suggest that CCEs are primarily produced by enzymatically mediated transesterifications in crustaceans grazing on diatoms. We are currently studying if CCEs are biomarkers for the grazing of crustaceans on diatoms, an important pathway of carbon remineralization in the marine environment.

Viral effects on bacterial respiration, production and growth efficiency: Consistent trends in the Southern Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonilla-Findji, Osana; Malits, Andrea; Lefèvre, Dominique; Rochelle-Newall, Emma; Lemée, Rodolphe; Weinbauer, Markus G.; Gattuso, Jean-Pierre

2008-03-01

To investigate the potential effects of viruses on bacterial respiration (BR), production (BP) and growth efficiency (BGE), experiments were performed using natural microbial communities from the coastal Mediterranean Sea, from a typical high-nutrient low-chlorophyll (HNLC) region in the Southern Ocean and from a naturally iron (Fe)-fertilized algal bloom above the Kerguelen Plateau (Southern Ocean). Seawater was sequentially filtered and concentrated to produce a bacterial concentrate, a viral concentrate and a virus-free ultrafiltrate. The combination of all three fractions served as treatments with active viruses. Heating or microwaving was used to inactivate viruses for the control treatments. Despite the differences in the initial trophic state and community composition of the study sites, consistent trends were found. In the presence of active viruses, BR was stimulated (up to 113%), whereas BP and BGE were reduced (up to 51%). Our results suggest that viruses enhance the role of bacteria as oxidizers of organic matter, hence as producers of CO 2, and remineralizers of CO 2, N, P and Fe. In the context of Fe-fertilization, this has important implications for the final fate of organic carbon in marine systems.

Role of enamel deminerlization and remineralization on microtensile bond strength of resin composite

PubMed Central

Rizvi, Abbas; Zafar, Muhammad S.; Al-Wasifi, Yasser; Fareed, Wamiq; Khurshid, Zohaib

2016-01-01

Objective: This study is aimed to establish the microtensile bond strength of enamel following exposure to an aerated drink at various time intervals with/without application of remineralization agent. In addition, degree of remineralization and demineralization of tooth enamel has been assessed using polarized light microscopy. Materials and Methods: Seventy extracted human incisors split into two halves were immersed in aerated beverage (cola drink) for 5 min and stored in saliva until the time of microtensile bond testing. Prepared specimens were divided randomly into two study groups; remineralizing group (n = 70): specimens were treated for remineralization using casein phosphopeptides and amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) remineralization agent (Recaldent™; GC Europe) and control group (n = 70): no remineralization treatment; specimens were kept in artificial saliva. All specimens were tested for microtensile bond strength at regular intervals (1 h, 1 days, 2 days, 1 week, and 2 weeks) using a universal testing machine. The results statistically analyzed (P = 0.05) using two-way ANOVA test. Results: Results showed statistically significant increase in bond strength in CPP-ACP tested group (P < 0.05) at all-time intervals. The bond strength of remineralizing group samples at 2 days (~13.64 megapascals [MPa]) is comparable to that of control group after 1 week (~12.44 MPa). Conclusions: CPP-ACP treatment of teeth exposed to an aerated drink provided significant increase in bond strength at a shorter interval compared to teeth exposed to saliva alone. PMID:27403057

Remineralization effects of two pediatric dentifrices and one regular dentifrice on artificial carious lesion in primary teeth: An in vitro study

PubMed Central

Advani, Shweta; Sogi, Suma; Hugar, Shivayogi; Indushekar, K. R.; Kiran, K.; Hallikerimath, Seema

2014-01-01

Aim: The aim of the following study is to know the efficacy of remineralization of two pediatric dentifrices and one regular dentifrice on artificial carious lesions in primary teeth. Materials and Methods: A total of 21 teeth coated with nail varnish leaving a window of 1 mm were subjected to demineralization for 72 h. These 21 teeth were then sectioned into two equal parts with a diamond disc. The 42 sections obtained were then evaluated under the stereomicroscope and the demineralization values were noted. The 42 sections were divided into three groups: Group 1: Kidodent, Group 2: Cheeriogel, Group 3: Colgate Total and subjected to remineralization respectively for 7 days. The specimens were again evaluated under the stereomicroscope for the remineralisation values. Results: All the three dentifrices showed remineralization with artificial carious lesions. Colgate Total showed higher remineralization rates compared with the other two pediatric dentifrices. Kidodent showed a slightly higher remineralisation rate compared with Cheeriogel which was not significant. Conclusion/Hypothesis: The pediatric dentifrices also showed remineralization with artificial carious lesions. Hence, we conclude that, this amount of remineralization was more or less, when compared to the regular dentifrice which showed higher remineralization rates, which could lead to adverse effects, like fluorosis if not used judiciously. On basis of which we hypothetize: Pediatric dentifrices have an appropriate fluoride content, as required by the children, and also does not minimize the cariostatic effects. PMID:25254193

Modelling Biogenic Carbon Cycling and Remineralization In The Mesopelagic. 2. Rates and Patterns.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rivkin, R. B.; Legendre, L.; Nagata, T.; Bussey, H.; Matthews, P.; Churchill, D.

Both dissolved (DOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) are exported from the surface ocean into the mesopelagic layer (i.e. twilight zone; ~100 to 1000 m). Rela- tively little is known about processes controlling the fate and loss rates of this biogenic carbon (BC). Trap studies suggest that about 90% of the POC that is exported from the euphotic zone is remineralized between 100 and 1000m, however the remineral- ization of DOC is largely uncharacterized. The BC that is transferred or buried below the permanent pycnocline (i.e. sequestration, S) is isolated from the atmosphere for long periods (from hundred to million years) and is therefore of significance to global climate. The sequestration of BC can be computed from euphotic zone export (E) and the subsequent remineralization (R) of BC in the mesopelagic layer. Since both POC and DOC are respired, sequestration can be estimated as S = E - R. Unfortunately there are very few direct measurements of R in the mesopelagic layer. We therefore estimated this property, at the global scale, from a meta-analysis of the distributions of physical, chemical and bacterial properties in the mesopelagic layer. We computed heterotrophic respiration from empirical relationships among temperature, DOC, and bacterial biomass, production and growth efficiency. Preliminary estimates of R are 11 to 35 (mean = 22) Gt C/year for the World Ocean. These values are 28 to 88% of the computed upper ocean respiration of ~40 Gt C/y. These data suggest that global dissolved and particulate primary production may be >75 Gt/y.

Detection of phosphohydrolytic enzyme activity through the oxygen isotope composition of dissolved phosphate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colman, A. S.

2016-02-01

Phosphohydrolytic enzymes play an important role in phosphorus remineralization. As they release phosphate (Pi) from various organophosphorus compounds, these enzymes facilitate the transfer of oxygen atoms from water to the phosphoryl moieties. Most such enzymatic reactions impart a significant isotopic fractionation to the oxygen transferred. If this reaction occurs within a cell, then the resultant oxygen isotope signal is overprinted by continued recycling of the Pi. However, if this reaction occurs extracellularly, then the isotopic signal will be preserved until the Pi is transported back into a cell. Thus, the oxygen isotope composition of Pi (δ18Op) in an aquatic ecosystem can serve as a useful indicator of the mechanisms by which P is remineralized. We develop a time-dependent model illustrating the sensitivity of the δ18O of dissolved phosphate to various modes of P remineralization. The model is informed by cell lysis experiments that reveal the relative proportions of P­i that are directly liberated from cytosol vs. regenerated from co-liberated dissolved organic phosphorus compounds via extracellular hydrolysis. By incorporating both cellular uptake and release fluxes of P, we show that the degree of isotopic disequilibrium in an aquatic ecosystem can be a strong indicator of P remineralization mode. Apparent oxygen isotope equilibrium between Pi and water arises in this model as a steady-state scenario in which fractionation upon cellular uptake of Pi counterbalances the hydrolytic source flux of disequilibrated Pi. Low and high rates of extracellular phosphohydrolase activity are shown to produce steady-state δ18Op values that are respectively above or below thermodynamic equilibrium compositions.

The chemistry of caries: remineralization and demineralization events with direct clinical relevance.

PubMed

González-Cabezas, Carlos

2010-07-01

Dental caries is a site-specific disease that undergoes many cycles of demineralization and remineralization during lesion development. Because of its developmental characteristics dynamics, the caries lesion can be arrested and even repaired at its early stages without operative intervention by increasing the net mineral gain during the demineralization and remineralization cycles. This result can be accomplished by reducing the effect of etiological factors such as cariogenic biofilms and diet, and increasing the efficacy of remineralizing agents such as saliva and fluoride. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Remineralization Potential of Three Different Dentifrices using Raman Spectroscopy and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope.

PubMed

Job, Tisson V; Narayana, Girish T; Venkappa, Kishan K; Nathan, K Binu; Ahsan, Shameem; Harikaran, Jayakkodi

2018-04-01

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the remineralization potential of three different dentifrices using Raman spectroscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Materials and methods: Totally, 30 extracted intact impacted third molar teeth were selected and the crown of each tooth in a group was separated from the root and longitudinally sectioned into four parts with each section under a subgroup, of which one section was an untreated section, the second and the third sections were demineralized in a demineralizing solution, and the third section was remineralized after demineralization. The teeth in the three groups were demineralized for 4 days and then treated with 0.21% sodium fluoride dentifrice with trical-cium phosphate, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), and NovaMin for 14 days, following which the teeth surfaces were studied using Raman spec-troscopy and CLSM to assess the remineralization potential of the three dentifrices. The data were recorded and analyzed statistically. Results: Raman spectroscopic analysis revealed better remin-eralization with CPP-ACP, which was statistically significant from the groups treated with the NovaMin dentifrice and the fluoride-containing dentifrice.Confocal laser scanning microscopic examination also revealed significant differences between the three groups with the NovaMin-containing dentifrice demonstrating a greater remineralization of the surface when compared with the CPP-ACP dentifrice. The teeth samples treated with fluoride-containing dentifrice demonstrated the least reminer-alization among the three groups. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the demineralized samples of teeth treated with CPP-ACP showed the highest concentration of phosphate ions when analyzed using Raman spectroscopy, and the microscopic examination using confocal laser revealed a better surface remineralization of the demin-eralized samples when treated with the NovaMin technology. Clinical significance: There is a great need to find ways to enhance the remineralization process and transfer such knowledge into clinical therapy to alter caries balance for the better, especially in individuals with a high cariogenic bacterial challenge. Keywords: Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate, Fluoride, NovaMin, Remineralization, Tricalcium phosphate.

Remineralization effect of CPP-ACP and fluoride for white spot lesions in vitro.

PubMed

Oliveira, Gustavo M S; Ritter, André V; Heymann, Harald O; Swift, Edward; Donovan, Terry; Brock, Guy; Wright, Tim

2014-12-01

This in vitro study compared the remineralization effect on white spot lesions of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate crème, or CPP-ACP (MI Paste™), 1.1% NaF dentifrice containing 5000ppm of fluoride (ControlRX™), or CPP-ACP crème with 900ppm of fluoride (MI Paste Plus™) with that of a control. Artificial white spot lesions were created on smooth enamel surfaces of sound molars using a previously reported demineralization model. Specimens were randomly assigned to four treatments (n=35) with a pH-cycling model over 30 days: Control (no treatment); MI Paste (10% CPP-ACP crème); F5000 (1.1% NaF dentifrice); or MI Paste Plus (10% CPP-ACP plus 900ppm fluoride crème). Products were applied following manufacturers' directions. Changes in mean lesion depth expressed by percent fluorescence loss (ΔF%), and lesion area (mm(2)) from baseline to after treatment were measured with light-induced fluorescence (QLF). Mean values of each parameter were compared between groups (p<0.05). The remineralization pattern for the F5000 group was unique with marked initial remineralization during the first 10 days and little subsequent change. Based on mean lesion area, the F5000 demonstrated greater remineralization than Control, MI Paste and MI Paste Plus groups. Based on mean fluorescence loss, the F5000 group showed improved remineralization relative to MI Paste Plus, but did not differ statistically from the Control at the end of 30 days. The 1.1% NaF dentifrice demonstrated overall greater remineralization ability than 10% CPP-ACP crème. However, the 1.1% NaF dentifrice was only as effective as the Control to reduce fluorescence loss. This study showed that a 1.1% NaF dentifrice (5000ppm) demonstrated greater remineralization ability than the CPP-ACP topical tooth crème and that the addition of fluoride to its formulation seems to enhance remineralization. Saliva also has the ability to exert an important remineralization effect over time. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Does ozone enhance the remineralizing potential of nanohydroxyapatite on artificially demineralized enamel? A laser induced fluorescence study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srinivasan, Samuelraj; Prabhu, Vijendra; Chandra, Subhash; Koshy, Shalini; Acharya, Shashidhar; Mahato, Krishna K.

2014-02-01

The present era of minimal invasive dentistry emphasizes the early detection and remineralization of initial enamel caries. Ozone has been shown to reverse the initial demineralization before the integrity of the enamel surface is lost. Nano-hydroxyapatite is a proven remineralizing agent for early enamel caries. In the present study, the effect of ozone in enhancing the remineralizing potential of nano-hydroxyapatite on artificially demineralized enamel was investigated using laser induced fluorescence. Thirty five sound human premolars were collected from healthy subjects undergoing orthodontic treatment. Fluorescence was recorded by exciting the mesial surfaces using 325 nm He-Cd laser with 2 mW power. Tooth specimens were subjected to demineralization to create initial enamel caries. Following which the specimens were divided into three groups, i.e ozone (ozonated water for 2 min), without ozone and artificial saliva. Remineralization regimen was followed for 3 weeks. The fluorescence spectra of the specimens were recorded from all the three experimental groups at baseline, after demineralization and remineralization. The average spectrum for each experimental group was used for statistical analysis. Fluorescence intensities of Ozone treated specimens following remineralization were higher than that of artificial saliva, and this difference was found to be statistically significant (P<0.0001). In a nutshell, ozone enhanced the remineralizing potential of nanohydroxyapatite, and laser induced fluorescence was found to be effective in assessing the surface mineral changes in enamel. Ozone can be considered an effective agent in reversing the initial enamel caries there by preventing the tooth from entering into the repetitive restorative cycle.

Alterations in enamel remineralization in vitro induced by blue light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kato, I. T.; Zezell, D. M.; Mendes, F. M.; Wetter, N. U.

2010-06-01

Blue light, especially from LED devices, is a very frequently used tool in dental procedures. However, the investigations of its effects on dental enamel are focused primarily on enamel demineralization and fluoride retention. Despite the fact that this spectral region can inhibit enamel demineralization, the effects of the irradiation on demineralized enamel are not known. For this reason, we evaluated the effects of blue LED on remineralization of dental enamel. Artificial lesions were formed in bovine dental enamel blocks by immersing the samples in undersaturated acetate buffer. The lesions were irradiated with blue LED (455 nm, 1.38 W/cm2, 13.75 J/cm2, and 10 s) and remineralization was induced by pH-cycling process. Cross-sectional hardness was used to asses mineral changes after remineralization. Non-irradiated enamel lesions presented higher mineral content than irradiated ones. Furthermore, the mineral content of irradiated group was not significantly different from the lesion samples that were not submitted to the remineralization process. Results obtained in the present study show that the blue light is not innocuous for the dental enamel and inhibition of its remineralization can occur.

Remineralization of primary tooth enamel from individuals with Down syndrome.

PubMed

Okamoto, Takuma; Shibata, Munenori; Tsuboi, Shinji; Nakagaki, Haruo; Fukuta, Osamu; Kusabe, Yoshitaka; Inukai, Junko

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of primary tooth enamel of Down syndrome patients (DSPs). We examined 9 primary teeth of Down syndrome children and 11 primary teeth of normally developed children to investigate the remineralization processes of enamel by transverse microradiography and X ray micro analyzer (XMA). Mineral loss, lesion depth, maximum mineral value, minimum mineral value, depth of maximum mineral value, and depth of minimum mineral value were used to analyze transverse microradiography (TMR). In addition, we calculated the percentage of enamel remineralization. All the parameters in the 2 groups showed marked recovery. The results indicated that the Down syndrome group was significantly remineralized the same way as the control group. According to the comparison of mineral content distribution by XMA, the content distribution of magnesium was different between the 2 groups. While recovery through remineralization of primary teeth was similar between Down syndrome children and normally developed children, the mechanism of remineralization process may be different between the 2 groups; consequently, magnesium may be considered as one of the factors affecting recovery.

Conventional and digital radiographic assessment of tooth enamel de-/remineralization processes: an experimental study.

PubMed

Leite-Ribeiro, Patrícia; de Oliveira, Thais Feitosa Leitão; Mathias, Paula; Campo, Elisângela de Jesus; Sarmento, Viviane Almeida

2014-01-01

This study aimed to compare digital techniques for evaluating dental enamel de-/remineralization. Sixty extracted molars were subjected to a process of de- and remineralization. Radiographs were taken before and after each stage. These radiographs were evaluated by the conventional method and were then scanned and analyzed either with or without the use of image enhancement. Moreover, the gray levels (GLs) of the affected areas were measured. All methods exhibited low sensitivity and identical levels of specificity (99.4%). Analysis of the grayscale levels found statistically significant differences between the initial radiographs (P < 0.05). The mean GL of the carious group was significantly lower than that of the remineralized group. The GL did not differ significantly between the initial and final radiographs of the remineralized group, although the mean of the first group was lower than that of the second, which demonstrated that the remineralization process restored the normal density of the dental enamel. Measurement of the mean GL was sufficiently sensitive to detect small alterations in the surface of the enamel.

Flux of particulate matter through copepods in the Northeast water polynya

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daly, Kendra L.

1997-01-01

Particulate organic carbon (POC) and nitrogen (PON) production by large calanoid copepods was investigated on the northeast Greenland shelf during August 1992 and May to August 1993. Both Calanus hyperboreus and C. glacialis females, when suspended in seawater collected from the chlorophyll maximum, produced about 40 pellets per day, which contained a carbon and nitrogen content equivalent to 8% and 6% of body carbon, respectively, and 2% of body nitrogen. In experiments, the carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratio by weight of suspended particulates, C. hyperboreus, and fecal pellets was 6.7, 7.7 and 28.5, respectively. The unusually high C:N ratio for pellets, in part, may be attributed to elevated ratios of > 20μm size fractions of particulate organic matter, the size fraction more common in the diet of these large copepods and the fraction dominated by diatoms according to microscopic and pigment data. The implied elevated C:N ratios of large phytoplankton cells were probably due to nitrogen deficiency, as shown by other studies in this region. In addition, female C. hyperboreus appeared to be more efficient in assimilating nitrogen than carbon, which also would have contributed to high C:N ratios in egested pellets. Unfractionated POC concentrations explained 54% of the variability in carbon egestion and 70% of the variability in nitrogen egestion in copepods, whereas copepod body content accounted for little of the variation on the short time scales of the experiments. Carbon egestion by C. hyperboreus was positively correlated with POC concentrations at the depth of the chlorophyll maximum, while nitrogen egestion was negatively correlated with PON concentrations in the euphotic zone. Estimates of potential community egestion rates for the upper water column indicate that copepods represent a major pathway of organic carbon transformation in this Arctic shelf system. On average, copepods may have ingested 45% of the primary production and egested fecal matter equivalent to 20% of the carbon and 12% of the nitrogen particulate flux sedimenting from the surface layer. However, several lines of evidence suggest that pellets were remineralized in the water column and, hence, may have contributed little organic carbon and nitrogen to the benthos.

In vitro assessment of artificial saliva formulations on initial enamel erosion remineralization.

PubMed

Ionta, Franciny Querobim; Mendonça, Fernanda Lyrio; de Oliveira, Gabriela Cristina; de Alencar, Catarina Ribeiro Barros; Honório, Heitor Marques; Magalhães, Ana Carolina; Rios, Daniela

2014-02-01

Various formulations of artificial saliva are present in the literature and little guidance is available on the standardization of type of saliva for use in in vitro protocols for erosive studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the remineralizing capacity of different formulations of artificial saliva on initial enamel erosive lesion. Bovine enamel blocks were subjected to short-term acidic exposure by immersion in citric acid 0.05 M (pH 2.5) for 15s, resulting in surface softening without tissue loss. Then 90 selected eroded enamel blocks were randomly and equally divided into 6 groups according to saliva formulation (n=15): Saliva 1 (contain mucin); Saliva 2 (Saliva 1 without mucin); Saliva 3; Saliva 4; Saliva 5 (contain sodium carboxymethyl cellulose) and control (C) (deionized water). After demineralization enamel blocks were subjected to remineralization by immersion in the saliva's formulations for 2h. Enamel remineralization was measured by superficial hardness test (% superficial hardness change). The data were tested using ANOVA and Tukey's test (p<0.05). All the tested formulations of artificial saliva resulted in significantly higher enamel remineralization compared to control (p<0.001). Saliva 3 showed higher percentage of enamel remineralization than Saliva 5 (p<0.05). Besides the variety of artificial saliva for erosion in vitro protocols, all the formulations tested were able to partially remineralize initial erosive lesions. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Remineralization efficiency of bioactive glass on artificially induced carious lesion an in-vitro study.

PubMed

Narayana, Sai Sathya; Deepa, Vinoth Kumar; Ahamed, Shafie; Sathish, Emmanuel Solomon; Meyappan, R; Satheesh Kumar, K S

2014-01-01

The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of bioactive glass containing product on remineralization of artificial induced carious enamel lesion and to compare its efficiency with other remineralization products using an in-vitro pH cycling method. The null hypothesis tested was bioactive glass has no effect on enamel remineralization. A total of 20 enamel samples of human molar teeth were subjected to artificial caries lesion formation using pH cycling method and was verified using high resolution scanning electron microscope (HRSEM). Each demineralized sample was then divided into five test groups each containing twenty. Group A - Bioactive glass (SHY-NM), Group B - Fluoride tooth paste (Amflor), Group C - CPP-ACP (Tooth mousse), Group D - CPP-ACPF (Tooth mousse plus), Group E - control. All the test groups were exposed to the pH cycling regime, the remineralizing agents were applied for 10 min except control. After 10 days period, the entire test groups were evaluated with HRSEM and quantitative assessment by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The obtained data was analyzed statistically using one-way ANOVA, Student's t-test and Tukey's multiple comparison tests. P ≤ 0.05 was considered to be significant. Rejection of the null hypothesis and highlights the concept of biomimetic bioactive glass as an effective remineralizing agent. To focus on the importance of minimal invasive treatment on incipient carious lesion by remineralization.

Functional biomimetic analogs help remineralize apatite-depleted demineralized resin-infiltrated dentin via a bottom-up approach

PubMed Central

Kim, Jongryul; Arola, Dwayne D.; Gu, Lisha; Kim, Young Kyung; Mai, Sui; Liu, Yan; Pashley, David H.; Tay, Franklin R.

2010-01-01

Natural biominerals are formed through metastable amorphous precursor phases via a bottom-up, nanoparticle-mediated mineralization mechanism. Using an acid-etched human dentin model to create a layer of completely-demineralized collagen matrix, a bio-inspired mineralization scheme has been developed based on the use of dual biomimetic analogs. These analogs help to sequester fluidic amorphous calcium phosphate nanoprecursors and function as templates for guiding homogeneous apatite nucleation within the collagen fibrils. By adopting this scheme for remineralizing adhesive resin-bonded, completely-demineralized dentin, we have been able to redeposit intrafibrillar and extrafibrillar apatites in completely-demineralized collagen matrices that are imperfectly infiltrated by resins. This study utilizes a spectrum of completely- and partially-demineralized dentin collagen matrices to further validate the necessity for using a biomimetic analog-containing medium for remineralizing resin-infiltrated partially-demineralized collagen matrices in which remnant seed crystallites are present. In control specimens in which biomimetic analogs are absent from the remineralization medium, remineralization could only be seen in partially-demineralized collagen matrices probably by epitaxial growth via a top-down crystallization approach. Conversely, in the presence of biomimetic analogs in the remineralization medium, intrafibrillar remineralization of completely-demineralized collagen matrices via a bottom-up crystallization mechanism can additionally be identified. The latter is characterized by the transition of intrafibrillar minerals from an inchoate state of continuously-braided microfibrillar electron-dense amorphous strands to discrete nanocrystals, and ultimately into larger crystalline platelets within the collagen fibrils. Biomimetic remineralization via dual biomimetic analogs has the potential to be translated into a functional delivery system for salvaging failing resin-dentin bonds. PMID:20045745

Effect of ozone to remineralize initial enamel caries: in situ study.

PubMed

Samuel, S R; Dorai, S; Khatri, S G; Patil, S T

2016-06-01

Effect of ozonated water in remineralizing artificially created initial enamel caries was investigated using laser fluorescence and polarized light microscopy in an in situ study. Teeth specimens (buccal sections) were immersed in 5-ml solution of 2 mM CaCl2, 2 mM NaH2P04, and 50 mM CH3COOH at pH of 4.55 for 5 h in an incubator at 37° to create subsurface demineralization. After which, they were randomly allocated into one of the following remineralization regimens: ozone (ozonated water 0.1 mg/l and 10 % nano-hydroxyapatite paste, Aclaim(TM)), without ozone (only 10 % nano-hydroxyapatite paste, Aclaim(TM)), and control (subjects' saliva alone). Specimens were embedded in acrylic retainers worn by orthodontic patients throughout the 21-day study duration and constantly exposed to their saliva. Laser fluorescence was recorded for all the specimens at baseline, after demineralization, and remineralization using DIAGNOdent, and the results were validated using polarized microscopic examination. The results were analyzed using repeated measures, one-way ANOVA with post hoc multiple comparisons. Reduced DIAGNOdent scores and greater depth of remineralization following application of ozonated water and nano-hydroxyapatite were found compared to those of the without ozone and control groups (P < 0.001), and the ozone-treated group exhibited maximum remineralization under the polarized light microscopy. Ozonated water can be considered an effective agent in reversing the initial enamel caries alongside with nano-hydroxyapatite compared to nano-hydroxyapatite alone and saliva. Ozone water can be used to remineralize incipient carious lesions, and it enhances the remineralizing potential of nano-hydroxyapatite thereby preventing the tooth from entering into the repetitive restorative cycle.

Functional biomimetic analogs help remineralize apatite-depleted demineralized resin-infiltrated dentin via a bottom-up approach.

PubMed

Kim, Jongryul; Arola, Dwayne D; Gu, Lisha; Kim, Young Kyung; Mai, Sui; Liu, Yan; Pashley, David H; Tay, Franklin R

2010-07-01

Natural biominerals are formed through metastable amorphous precursor phases via a bottom-up, nanoparticle-mediated mineralization mechanism. Using an acid-etched human dentin model to create a layer of completely demineralized collagen matrix, a bio-inspired mineralization scheme has been developed based on the use of dual biomimetic analogs. These analogs help to sequester fluidic amorphous calcium phosphate nanoprecursors and function as templates for guiding homogeneous apatite nucleation within the collagen fibrils. By adopting this scheme for remineralizing adhesive resin-bonded, completely demineralized dentin, we have been able to redeposit intrafibrillar and extrafibrillar apatites in completely demineralized collagen matrices that are imperfectly infiltrated by resins. This study utilizes a spectrum of completely and partially demineralized dentin collagen matrices to further validate the necessity for using a biomimetic analog-containing medium for remineralizing resin-infiltrated partially demineralized collagen matrices in which remnant seed crystallites are present. In control specimens in which biomimetic analogs are absent from the remineralization medium, remineralization could only be seen in partially demineralized collagen matrices, probably by epitaxial growth via a top-down crystallization approach. Conversely, in the presence of biomimetic analogs in the remineralization medium, intrafibrillar remineralization of completely demineralized collagen matrices via a bottom-up crystallization mechanism can additionally be identified. The latter is characterized by the transition of intrafibrillar minerals from an inchoate state of continuously braided microfibrillar electron-dense amorphous strands to discrete nanocrystals, and ultimately into larger crystalline platelets within the collagen fibrils. Biomimetic remineralization via dual biomimetic analogs has the potential to be translated into a functional delivery system for salvaging failing resin-dentin bonds. Copyright 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Toothbrush abrasion, simulated tongue friction and attrition of eroded bovine enamel in vitro.

PubMed

Vieira, A; Overweg, E; Ruben, J L; Huysmans, M C D N J M

2006-05-01

Enamel erosion results in the formation of a softened layer that is susceptible to disruption by mechanical factors such as brushing abrasion, tongue friction and attrition. The aim of this study was to investigate the individual contribution of those mechanical insults to the enamel loss caused by dental erosion. Forty two bovine enamel samples were randomly divided into seven groups (n=6 per group) that were submitted to 3cycles of one of the following regimes: erosion and remineralization (er/remin); toothbrush abrasion and remineralization (abr/remin); erosion, toothbrush abrasion and remineralization (er/abr/remin); attrition and remineralization (at/remin); erosion, attrition and remineralization (er/at/remin); simulated tongue friction and remineralization (tg/remin); erosion, simulated tongue friction and remineralization (er/tg/remin). Erosion took place in a demineralization solution (50mM citric acid, pH 3) for 10min under agitation. Brushing abrasion, tongue friction and attrition were simulated for 1min using a home-made wear device. Remineralization was carried out in artificial saliva for 2h. Enamel loss was quantified using optical profilometry. One-way ANOVA indicated a significant difference between the amounts of enamel lost due to the different wear regimes (p

Leucine-rich amelogenin peptide (LRAP) as a surface primer for biomimetic remineralization of superficial enamel defects: An in vitro study.

PubMed

Shafiei, Farhad; Hossein, Bagheri G; Farajollahi, Mohammad M; Fathollah, Moztarzadeh; Marjan, Behroozibakhsh; Tahereh, Jafarzadeh Kashi

2015-01-01

This study was carried out to obtain more information about the assembly of hydroxyapatite bundles formed in the presence of Leucine-Rich Amelogenin Peptide (LRAP) and to evaluate its effect on the remineralization of enamel defects through a biomimetic approach. One or 2 mg/mL LRAP solutions containing 2.5 mM of Ca(+2) and 1.5 mM phosphate were prepared (pH = 7.2) and stored at 37 °C for 24 h. The products of the reaction were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). Vickers surface microhardness recovery (SMR%) of acid-etched bovine enamel, with or without LRAP surface treatment, were calculated to evaluate the influence of peptide on the lesion remineralization. Distilled water and 1 or 2 mg/mL LRAP solution (pH = 7.2) were applied on the lesions and the specimens were incubated in mineralization solution (2.5mM Ca(+2) , 1.5mM PO4 (-3) , pH = 7.2) for 24 h. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's multi-comparison tests were used for statistical analysis. The pattern of enamel surface repair was studied using FE-SEM. AFM showed the formation of highly organized hierarchical structures, composed of hydroxyapatite (HA) crystals, similar to the dental enamel microstructure. ANOVA procedure showed significant effect of peptide treatment on the calculated SMR% (p < 0.001). Tukey's test revealed that peptide treated groups had significantly higher values of SMR%. In conclusion, LRAP is able to regulate the formation of HA and enhances the remineralization of acid-etched enamel as a surface treatment agent. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Remineralization of enamel promoted by casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate with different concentration of fluorin].

PubMed

Liu, Lu; Yang, Lin; Zou, Min

2013-10-01

To evaluate the effect of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) combined with different concentrations of fluoride on demineralization of enamel remineralization. Extracted premolar teeth for orthodontic reason were immersed into lactic acid gel to prepare artificial white spot lesions. Then the specimens were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 5% CPP-ACP group as control, 5% CPP-ACP +500 mg/L F- group and 5% CPP-ACP +900 mg/L F- group, which were measured by micro-hardness tester. SPSS 18.0 software package was used for data analysis. There were significant differences in micro-hardness between control group and experimental group 1 and experimental group 2 by SNK-q test (P<0.05). CPP-ACP can make the demineralization of enamel remineralization occurs. F can promote the CPP-ACP remineralization. The increase of fluoride can make the CPP-ACP remineralization better below 1000-1500 mg/L.

Monitoring Demineralization and Subsequent Remineralization of Human Teeth at the Dentin-Enamel Junction with Atomic Force Microscopy.

PubMed

Lechner, Bob-Dan; Röper, Stephanie; Messerschmidt, Jens; Blume, Alfred; Magerle, Robert

2015-09-02

Using atomic force microscopy, we monitored the nanoscale surface morphology of human teeth at the dentin-enamel junction after performing successive demineralization steps with an acidic soft drink. Subsequently, we studied the remineralization process with a paste containing calcium and phosphate ions. Repeated atomic force microscopy imaging of the same sample areas on the sample allowed us to draw detailed conclusions regarding the specific mechanism of the demineralization process and the subsequent remineralization process. The about 1-μm-deep grooves that are caused by the demineralization process were preferentially filled with deposited nanoparticles, leading to smoother enamel and dentine surfaces after 90 min exposure to the remineralizing agent. The deposited material is found to homogeneously cover the enamel and dentine surfaces in the same manner. The temporal evolution of the surface roughness indicates that the remineralization caused by the repair paste proceeds in two distinct successive phases.

New approaches to enhanced remineralization of tooth enamel.

PubMed

Cochrane, N J; Cai, F; Huq, N L; Burrow, M F; Reynolds, E C

2010-11-01

Dental caries is a highly prevalent diet-related disease and is a major public health problem. A goal of modern dentistry is to manage non-cavitated caries lesions non-invasively through remineralization in an attempt to prevent disease progression and improve aesthetics, strength, and function. Remineralization is defined as the process whereby calcium and phosphate ions are supplied from a source external to the tooth to promote ion deposition into crystal voids in demineralized enamel, to produce net mineral gain. Recently, a range of novel calcium-phosphate-based remineralization delivery systems has been developed for clinical application. These delivery systems include crystalline, unstabilized amorphous, or stabilized amorphous formulations of calcium phosphate. These systems are reviewed, and the technology with the most scientific evidence to support its clinical use is the remineralizing system utilizing casein phosphopeptides to stabilize and deliver bioavailable calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions. The recent clinical evidence for this technology is presented and the mechanism of action discussed. Biomimetic approaches to stabilization of bioavailable calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions and the localization of these ions to non-cavitated caries lesions for controlled remineralization show promise for the non-invasive management of dental caries.

Cadmium and phosphate variability during algal blooms of the dinoflagellate Lingulodinium polyedrum in Todos Santos Bay, Baja California, Mexico.

PubMed

Gutierrez-Mejia, E; Lares, M L; Huerta-Diaz, M A; Delgadillo-Hinojosa, F

2016-01-15

Dinoflagellate algal blooms (DABs), with Lingulodinium polyedrum as the dominant species, have increased over the past few years in coastal areas off Baja California, Mexico. Vertical and temporal variability of particulate cadmium (Cdp), dissolved Cd (Cdd), PO4(3-) and Cdd/PO4(3-) were investigated during two intense DABs of L. polyedrum that occurred during the fall of 2011 and 2012 in Todos Santos Bay. Results were then, compared with data gathered in the absence of algal blooms during the autumn of 2013. In both algal blooms, L. polyedrum tended to be concentrated near the surface throughout the duration; however, during DAB 2011 the number of cells was twice as abundant ([10.0 ± 8.0] × 10(5) cells L(-1)) as in DAB 2012 ([5.0 ± 4.4] × 10(5) cells L(-1)). During DAB 2011, Cdp increased significantly (up to 1.02 ± 0.99 nmol kg(-1)) and was positively correlated with the cell abundance of L. polyedrum, suggesting that this dinoflagellate is able to assimilate and concentrate Cdd. Likewise, Cdd (up to 0.71 ± 0.17 nM) increased in the days of highest cell abundance, which could be attributed to uptake and subsequent regeneration of Cdd resulting from the remineralization of organic particulate matter produced during the bloom, as well as with the presence of organic ligands secreted by L. polyedrum that could keep Cdd in solution. During DAB 2011, dissolved Cdd/PO4(3-) ratios exhibited high vertical and temporal variability in the upper 5 m of the water column, but remained virtually constant near the bottom, suggesting a depth-dependent decoupling between these two dissolved components during the bloom development. Given the observed differences in the vertical and temporal variability of Cdd, Cdp, and PO4(3-) between these two intense DABs, we propose the existence of an abundance threshold of approximately 10(6) cells L(-1) of L. polyedrum above which Cd and PO4(3-) significantly increased due to remineralization in coastal waters during the bloom development.

Remineralization of human natural caries and artificial caries-like lesions with an experimental whisker-reinforced ART-composite

PubMed Central

Yang, Bin; Flaim, Glenn; Dickens, Sabine H.

2011-01-01

To compare the remineralization of human natural caries and artificial caries-like dentin lesions from a novel whisker-reinforced experimental composite resin to a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RM-GIC) as control. Ten molars with moderate natural dentin caries were prepared (N). Artificial caries-like dentin lesions were prepared in occlusal dentin of ten caries-free molars and demineralized at pH=4.3 for 48 h (A). The cavities were restored with ART-composite or RM-GIC. All restored teeth were sliced into 120-μm sections. Transverse microradiography combined with digital image analysis was performed to analyze the change in mineral density at the same position of the specimens before, after 4 weeks and 8 weeks remineralization/demineralization treatment. The mean percent remineralization ± standard deviation after 4 weeks and 8 weeks are: N: ART-composite: 27±9, 46±14; RM-GIC: 18±6, 36±11; A: ART-composite: 48±9, 66±11; RM-GIC: 50±13, 62±11. For the remineralization of natural caries, there was a significant difference between ART-composite and RM-GIC (p<0.05). For both restoratives there were significant differences between remineralization of natural and artificial caries (p<0.001). ART-composite and RM-GIC remineralized natural and artificial caries differently most likely due to differences in microstructure and composition of caries dentin. PMID:21232637

Reconciliation of the carbon budget in the ocean's twilight zone.

PubMed

Giering, Sarah L C; Sanders, Richard; Lampitt, Richard S; Anderson, Thomas R; Tamburini, Christian; Boutrif, Mehdi; Zubkov, Mikhail V; Marsay, Chris M; Henson, Stephanie A; Saw, Kevin; Cook, Kathryn; Mayor, Daniel J

2014-03-27

Photosynthesis in the surface ocean produces approximately 100 gigatonnes of organic carbon per year, of which 5 to 15 per cent is exported to the deep ocean. The rate at which the sinking carbon is converted into carbon dioxide by heterotrophic organisms at depth is important in controlling oceanic carbon storage. It remains uncertain, however, to what extent surface ocean carbon supply meets the demand of water-column biota; the discrepancy between known carbon sources and sinks is as much as two orders of magnitude. Here we present field measurements, respiration rate estimates and a steady-state model that allow us to balance carbon sources and sinks to within observational uncertainties at the Porcupine Abyssal Plain site in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean. We find that prokaryotes are responsible for 70 to 92 per cent of the estimated remineralization in the twilight zone (depths of 50 to 1,000 metres) despite the fact that much of the organic carbon is exported in the form of large, fast-sinking particles accessible to larger zooplankton. We suggest that this occurs because zooplankton fragment and ingest half of the fast-sinking particles, of which more than 30 per cent may be released as suspended and slowly sinking matter, stimulating the deep-ocean microbial loop. The synergy between microbes and zooplankton in the twilight zone is important to our understanding of the processes controlling the oceanic carbon sink.

Effect of calcium phosphate nanocomposite on in vitro remineralization of human dentin lesions.

PubMed

Weir, Michael D; Ruan, Jianping; Zhang, Ning; Chow, Laurence C; Zhang, Ke; Chang, Xiaofeng; Bai, Yuxing; Xu, Hockin H K

2017-09-01

Secondary caries is a primary reason for dental restoration failures. The objective of this study was to investigate the remineralization of human dentin lesions in vitro via restorations using nanocomposites containing nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP) or NACP and tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) for the first time. NACP was synthesized by a spray-drying technique and incorporated into a resin consisting of ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate (EBPADMA) and pyromellitic glycerol dimethacrylate (PMGDM). After restoring the dentin lesions with nanocomposites as well as a non-releasing commercial composite control, the specimens were treated with cyclic demineralization (pH 4, 1h per day) and remineralization (pH 7, 23h per day) for 4 or 8 weeks. Calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) ion releases from composites were measured. Dentin lesion remineralization was measured at 4 and 8 weeks by transverse microradiography (TMR). Lowering the pH increased ion release of NACP and NACP-TTCP composites. At 56 days, the released Ca concentration in mmol/L (mean±SD; n=3) was (13.39±0.72) at pH 4, much higher than (1.19±0.06) at pH 7 (p<0.05). At 56 days, P ion concentration was (5.59±0.28) at pH 4, much higher than (0.26±0.01) at pH 7 (p<0.05). Quantitative microradiography showed typical subsurface dentin lesions prior to the cyclic demineralization/remineralization treatment, and dentin remineralization via NACP and NACP-TTCP composites after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. At 8 weeks, NACP nanocomposite achieved dentin lesion remineralization (mean±SD; n=15) of (48.2±11.0)%, much higher than (5.0±7.2)% for dentin in commercial composite group after the same cyclic demineralization/remineralization regimen (p<0.05). Novel NACP-based nanocomposites were demonstrated to achieve dentin lesion remineralization for the first time. These results, coupled with acid-neutralization and good mechanical properties shown previously, indicate that the NACP-based nanocomposites are promising for restorations to inhibit caries and protect tooth structures. Copyright © 2017 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Spatially Resolved Genomic, Stable Isotopic, and Lipid Analyses of a Modern Freshwater Microbialite from Cuatro Ciénegas, Mexico

PubMed Central

Nitti, Anthony; Daniels, Camille A.; Siefert, Janet; Souza, Valeria; Hollander, David

2012-01-01

Abstract Microbialites are biologically mediated carbonate deposits found in diverse environments worldwide. To explore the organisms and processes involved in microbialite formation, this study integrated genomic, lipid, and both organic and inorganic stable isotopic analyses to examine five discrete depth horizons spanning the surface 25 mm of a modern freshwater microbialite from Cuatro Ciénegas, Mexico. Distinct bacterial communities and geochemical signatures were observed in each microbialite layer. Photoautotrophic organisms accounted for approximately 65% of the sequences in the surface community and produced biomass with distinctive lipid biomarker and isotopic (δ13C) signatures. This photoautotrophic biomass was efficiently degraded in the deeper layers by heterotrophic organisms, primarily sulfate-reducing proteobacteria. Two spatially distinct zones of carbonate precipitation were observed within the microbialite, with the first zone corresponding to the phototroph-dominated portion of the microbialite and the second zone associated with the presence of sulfate-reducing heterotrophs. The coupling of photoautotrophic production, heterotrophic decomposition, and remineralization of organic matter led to the incorporation of a characteristic biogenic signature into the inorganic CaCO3 matrix. Overall, spatially resolved multidisciplinary analyses of the microbialite enabled correlations to be made between the distribution of specific organisms, precipitation of carbonate, and preservation of unique lipid and isotopic geochemical signatures. These findings are critical for understanding the formation of modern microbialites and have implications for the interpretation of ancient microbialite records. Key Words: Microbial ecology—Microbe-mineral interactions—Microbial mats—Stromatolites—Genomics. Astrobiology 12, 685–698. PMID:22882001

Optical properties and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter along a flow-path continuum from soil pore waters to the Kolyma River, Siberia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frey, K. E.; Sobczak, W. V.; Mann, P. J.; Holmes, R. M.

2015-08-01

The Kolyma River in Northeast Siberia is among the six largest arctic rivers and drains a region underlain by vast deposits of Holocene-aged peat and Pleistocene-aged loess known as yedoma, most of which is currently stored in ice-rich permafrost throughout the region. These peat and yedoma deposits are important sources of dissolved organic matter (DOM) to inland waters that in turn play a significant role in the transport and ultimate remineralization of organic carbon to CO2 and CH4 along the terrestrial flow-path continuum. The turnover and fate of terrigenous DOM during offshore transport will largely depend upon the composition and amount of carbon released to inland and coastal waters. Here, we measured the optical properties of chromophoric DOM (CDOM) from a geographically extensive collection of waters spanning soil pore waters, streams, rivers, and the Kolyma River mainstem throughout a ∼ 250 km transect of the northern Kolyma River basin. During the period of study, CDOM absorbance values were found to be robust proxies for the concentration of DOM, whereas additional CDOM parameters such as spectral slopes (S) were found to be useful indicators of DOM quality along the flow-path. In particular, CDOM absorption at 254 nm showed a strong relationship with dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations across all water types (r2 = 0.958, p < 0.01). The spectral slope ratio (SR) of CDOM demonstrated statistically significant differences between all four water types and tracked changes in the concentration of bioavailable DOC, suggesting that this parameter may be suitable for clearly discriminating shifts in organic matter characteristics among water types along the full flow-path continuum across this landscape. The heterogeneity of environmental characteristics and extensive continuous permafrost of the Kolyma River basin combine to make this a critical region to investigate and monitor. With ongoing and future permafrost degradation, peat and yedoma deposits throughout the Northeast Siberian region will become more hydrologically active, providing greater amounts of DOM to fluvial networks and ultimately to the Arctic Ocean. The ability to rapidly and comprehensively monitor shifts in the quantity and quality of DOM across the landscape is therefore critical for understanding potential future feedbacks on the arctic carbon cycle.

Evaluation to determine the caries remineralization potential of three dentifrices: An in vitro study

PubMed Central

Balakrishnan, Arun; Jonathan, R; Benin, P; Kuumar, Arvind

2013-01-01

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the remineralizing potential of three different remineralizing agents (GC tooth Mousse, Clinpro tooth crθme and SHY-NM) on demineralized tooth surfaces using micro CT and microhardness. Materials and Methods: Forty five freshly extracted mandibular premolars were collected and enamel specimens were prepared. The samples were assigned to three groups with fifteen specimens in each group. The specimens were then demineralized using McInne's demineralizing solution in two cycles. After that, remineralization was carried out in two cycles for 30 days using Casein phosphopeptide - Amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP - ACP), 0.21% sodium fluoride - Tricalcium phosphate (f-TCP) and Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate (CSP) containing tooth pastes for groups I, II, III respectively. The specimens were evaluated for Linear attenuation co-efficient using micro CT (Scanco™) and Vicker's Micro Hardness (Schimadzu™) testing at different time periods. The results were tabulated and statistically analysed. Results: It was observed that all the three remineralizing agents used in the study significantly increased the Linear Attenuation Co-efficient and Vicker's hardness number values of the enamel specimens following 15 days and 30 days application. Conclusion: CPP – ACP showed the better remineralizing potential than the other two agents and there was no statistical significant difference between f-TCP and CSP groups. PMID:23956545

Polydopamine-induced tooth remineralization.

PubMed

Zhou, Yun-Zhi; Cao, Ying; Liu, Wei; Chu, Chun Hung; Li, Quan-Li

2012-12-01

Inspired by mussel bioadhesion in nature, dopamine is extensively used for biomaterial surface modification. In this study, we coated dopamine on demineralized enamel and dentin surfaces to evaluate the effect of polydopamine coating on dental remineralization. Dental slices containing enamel and dentin were first etched with 37% phosphoric acid for 2 min, followed by immersion in a 2 mg/mL freshly prepared solution of dopamine (10 mM Tris buffer, pH 8.5) for approximately 24 h at room temperature in the dark to obtain polydopamine coating. Then, the dental slices with and without polydopamine coating were immersed in the supersaturated solution of calcium and phosphate at 37 °C for 2 and 7 days. The supersaturated solution of calcium and phosphate was refreshed each day. The precipitates were characterized by SEM, XRD, FTIR, microhardness, and nanoscratch analyses. No significant difference was observed in the remineralization of enamel whether it was coated with polydopamine or not. However, a significant difference was found in dentin remineralization between dentin with and without polydopamine coating. Polydopamine coating remarkably promoted demineralized dentin remineralization, and all dentin tubules were occluded by densely packed hydroxyapatite crystals. Thus, coating polydopamine on dental tissue surface may be a simple universal technique to induce enamel and dentin remineralization simultaneously.

The effect of MTA application on the affected dentine remineralization after partial caries excavation (in vivo)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pratiwi, A. R.; Meidyawati, R.; Djauharie, N.

2017-08-01

On deep carious lesions, only thin dentine remains, causing a high risk of pulp exposure during the removal of all infected dentine. A minimally invasive technique is required, such as a partial caries excavation method in the infected dentine tissue and the use of bioactive material that can promote (Mineral Trioxide Aggregate) MTA remineralization. To compare the remineralization of deep carious lesion-affected dentine with the removal of some and all the infected dentine after the application of MTA. Subjects were divided into two groups: group I had only some parts of the infected dentine removed before MTA application, while group II had all the infected dentine removed before MTA application. Each group was measured on the pixel grey value before the treatment and again four weeks after the MTA application, and then the results were compared. Furthermore, the enhancement of both groups’ grey values were compared. Remineralization occurred in both groups after the MTA application. There was no significant difference in the remineralization level of the affected dentine in both groups I and II four weeks after the MTA application. Remineralization occurred in the affected dentine in both groups, either by removing only some parts or all the infected dentine in the deep carious lesion.

Biomimetic remineralization of demineralized dentine using scaffold of CMC/ACP nanocomplexes in an in vitro tooth model of deep caries.

PubMed

Chen, Zhen; Cao, Shansong; Wang, Haorong; Li, Yanqiu; Kishen, Anil; Deng, Xuliang; Yang, Xiaoping; Wang, Yinghui; Cong, Changhong; Wang, Huajun; Zhang, Xu

2015-01-01

Currently, it is still a tough task for dentists to remineralize dentine in deep caries. The aim of this study was to remineralize demineralized dentine in a tooth model of deep caries using nanocomplexes of carboxymethyl chitosan/amorphous calcium phosphate (CMC/ACP) based on mimicking the stabilizing effect of dentine matrix protein 1 (DMP1) on ACP in the biomineralization of dentine. The experimental results indicate that CMC can stabilize ACP to form nanocomplexes of CMC/ACP, which is able to be processed into scaffolds by lyophilization. In the single-layer collagen model, ACP nanoparticles are released from scaffolds of CMC/ACP nanocomplexes dissolved and then infiltrate into collagen fibrils via the gap zones (40 nm) to accomplish intrafibrillar mineralization of collagen. With this method, the completely demineralized dentine was partially remineralized in the tooth mode. This is a bottom-up remineralizing strategy based on non-classical crystallization theory. Since nanocomplexes of CMC/ACP show a promising effect of remineralization on demineralized dentine via biomimetic strategy, thereby preserving dentinal tissue to the maximum extent possible, it would be a potential indirect pulp capping (IPC) material for the management of deep caries during vital pulp therapy based on the concept of minimally invasive dentistry (MID).

Biomimetic Remineralization of Demineralized Dentine Using Scaffold of CMC/ACP Nanocomplexes in an In Vitro Tooth Model of Deep Caries

PubMed Central

Chen, Zhen; Cao, Shansong; Wang, Haorong; Li, Yanqiu; Kishen, Anil; Deng, Xuliang; Yang, Xiaoping; Wang, Yinghui; Cong, Changhong; Wang, Huajun; Zhang, Xu

2015-01-01

Currently, it is still a tough task for dentists to remineralize dentine in deep caries. The aim of this study was to remineralize demineralized dentine in a tooth model of deep caries using nanocomplexes of carboxymethyl chitosan/amorphous calcium phosphate (CMC/ACP) based on mimicking the stabilizing effect of dentine matrix protein 1 (DMP1) on ACP in the biomineralization of dentine. The experimental results indicate that CMC can stabilize ACP to form nanocomplexes of CMC/ACP, which is able to be processed into scaffolds by lyophilization. In the single-layer collagen model, ACP nanoparticles are released from scaffolds of CMC/ACP nanocomplexes dissolved and then infiltrate into collagen fibrils via the gap zones (40 nm) to accomplish intrafibrillar mineralization of collagen. With this method, the completely demineralized dentine was partially remineralized in the tooth mode. This is a bottom-up remineralizing strategy based on non-classical crystallization theory. Since nanocomplexes of CMC/ACP show a promising effect of remineralization on demineralized dentine via biomimetic strategy, thereby preserving dentinal tissue to the maximum extent possible, it would be a potential indirect pulp capping (IPC) material for the management of deep caries during vital pulp therapy based on the concept of minimally invasive dentistry (MID). PMID:25587986

Effects of different amine fluoride concentrations on enamel remineralization.

PubMed

Naumova, E A; Niemann, N; Aretz, L; Arnold, W H

2012-09-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of decreasing fluoride concentrations on repeated demineralizing challenges on human enamel. In 24 teeth, 3mm×3mm windows were prepared on the buccal and lingual sides and treated in a cycling demineralization-remineralization model. Remineralization was achieved with 100, 10 and 0.1 ppm fluoride from anime fluoride. Coronal sections were cut through the artificial lesions, and three sections per tooth were investigated using polarized light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with quantitative element analysis. The morphology of the lesions was studied, and the extensions of the superficial layer and the body of the lesion were measured. Using element analysis, the Ca, P and F content were determined. The body of the lesion appeared remineralized after application of 100 ppm fluoride, while remineralization of the lesion was less successful after application of 10 and 0.1 ppm fluoride. The thickness of the superficial layer increased with decreasing fluoride concentrations, and also the extension of the body of the lesion increased. Ca and P content increased with increasing fluoride concentrations. The effectiveness of fluoride in enamel remineralization increased with increasing fluoride concentration. A consistently higher level of fluoride in saliva should be a goal in caries prevention. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stable isotopic biogeochemistry of carbon and nitrogen in a perennially ice-covered Antarctic lake.

PubMed

Wharton, R A; Lyons, W B; Des Marais, D J

1993-01-01

Lake Hoare (77 degrees 38' S, 162 degrees 53' E) is an amictic, oligotrophic, 34-m-deep, closed-basin lake in Taylor Valley, Antarctica. Its perennial ice cover minimizes wind-generated currents and reduces light penetration, as well as restricts sediment deposition into the lake and the exchange of atmospheric gases between the water column and the atmosphere. The biological community of Lake Hoare consists solely of microorganisms -- both planktonic populations and benthic microbial mats. Lake Hoare is one of several perennially ice-covered lakes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys that represent the end-member conditions of cold desert and saline lakes. The dry valley lakes provide a unique opportunity to examine lacustrine processes that operate at all latitudes, but under an extreme set of environmental conditions. The dry valley lakes may also offer a valuable record of catchment and global changes in the past and present. Furthermore, these lakes are modern-day equivalents of periglacial lakes that are likely to have been common during periods of glacial maxima at temperate latitudes. We have analyzed the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) of Lake Hoare for delta 13C and the organic matter of the sediments and sediment-trap material for delta 13C and delta 15N. The delta 13C of the DIC indicates that 12C is differentially removed in the shallow, oxic portions of the lake via photosynthesis. In the anoxic portions of the lake (27-34 m) a net addition of 12C to the DIC pool occurs via organic matter decomposition. The dissolution of CaCO3 at depth also contributes to the DIC pool. Except near the Canada Glacier where a substantial amount of allochthonous organic matter enters the lake, the organic carbon being deposited on the lake bottom at different sites is isotopically similar, suggesting an autochthonous source for the organic carbon. Preliminary inorganic carbon flux calculations suggest that a high percentage of the organic carbon fixed in the water column is remineralized as it falls through the water column. At nearby Lake Fryxell, the substantial (relative to Lake Hoare) glacial meltstream input overprints Fryxell's shallow-water biological delta 13C signal with delta 13C-depleted DIC. In contrast, Lake Hoare is not significantly affected by surface-water input and mixing, and therefore the delta 13C patterns observed arise primarily from biological dynamics within the lake. Organic matter in Lake Hoare is depleted in 15N, which we suggest is partially the result of the addition of relatively light inorganic nitrogen into the lake system from terrestrial sources.

Stable isotopic biogeochemistry of carbon and nitrogen in a perennially ice-covered Antarctic lake

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wharton, R. A. Jr; Lyons, W. B.; Des Marais, D. J.; Wharton RA, J. r. (Principal Investigator)

1993-01-01

Lake Hoare (77 degrees 38' S, 162 degrees 53' E) is an amictic, oligotrophic, 34-m-deep, closed-basin lake in Taylor Valley, Antarctica. Its perennial ice cover minimizes wind-generated currents and reduces light penetration, as well as restricts sediment deposition into the lake and the exchange of atmospheric gases between the water column and the atmosphere. The biological community of Lake Hoare consists solely of microorganisms -- both planktonic populations and benthic microbial mats. Lake Hoare is one of several perennially ice-covered lakes in the McMurdo Dry Valleys that represent the end-member conditions of cold desert and saline lakes. The dry valley lakes provide a unique opportunity to examine lacustrine processes that operate at all latitudes, but under an extreme set of environmental conditions. The dry valley lakes may also offer a valuable record of catchment and global changes in the past and present. Furthermore, these lakes are modern-day equivalents of periglacial lakes that are likely to have been common during periods of glacial maxima at temperate latitudes. We have analyzed the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) of Lake Hoare for delta 13C and the organic matter of the sediments and sediment-trap material for delta 13C and delta 15N. The delta 13C of the DIC indicates that 12C is differentially removed in the shallow, oxic portions of the lake via photosynthesis. In the anoxic portions of the lake (27-34 m) a net addition of 12C to the DIC pool occurs via organic matter decomposition. The dissolution of CaCO3 at depth also contributes to the DIC pool. Except near the Canada Glacier where a substantial amount of allochthonous organic matter enters the lake, the organic carbon being deposited on the lake bottom at different sites is isotopically similar, suggesting an autochthonous source for the organic carbon. Preliminary inorganic carbon flux calculations suggest that a high percentage of the organic carbon fixed in the water column is remineralized as it falls through the water column. At nearby Lake Fryxell, the substantial (relative to Lake Hoare) glacial meltstream input overprints Fryxell's shallow-water biological delta 13C signal with delta 13C-depleted DIC. In contrast, Lake Hoare is not significantly affected by surface-water input and mixing, and therefore the delta 13C patterns observed arise primarily from biological dynamics within the lake. Organic matter in Lake Hoare is depleted in 15N, which we suggest is partially the result of the addition of relatively light inorganic nitrogen into the lake system from terrestrial sources.

Monitoring of enamel lesion remineralization by optical coherence tomography: an alternative approach towards signal analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sadr, Alireza; Mandurah, Mona; Nakashima, Syozi; Shimada, Yasushi; Kitasako, Yuichi; Tagami, Junji; Sumi, Yasunori

Early detection, monitoring and remineralization repair of enamel lesions are top research priorities in the modern dentistry focusing on minimal intervention concept for caries management. We investigate the use of swept-source optical coherence tomography system (SS-OCT) without polarization-sensing at 1319 nm wavelength developed for clinical dentistry (Dental OCT System Prototype 2, Panasonic Healthcare Co., Ltd., Japan) in quantitative assessment of artificial enamel lesions and their remineralization. Bovine enamel blocks were subjected to demineralization to create subsurface lesions approximately 130 μm in depth over 2 weeks, and subjected to remineralization in solution containing bioavailable calcium and 1ppm fluoride at pH 6.5 for 2 weeks. Cross-sectional images of sound, demineralized and remineralized specimens were captured under hydrated conditions by the OCT. Finally, the specimens were cut into sections for nanoindentation to measure hardness through the lesion under 2mN load. Reflectivity had increased with demineralization. OCT images of lesions showed a boundary closely suggesting the lesion depth that gradually progressed with demineralization time. After remineralization, the boundary depth gradually decreased and nanoindentation showed over 60% average hardness recovery rate. A significant negative correlation was found between the slope power-law regression as a measure of attenuation and overall nanohardness for a range of data covering sound, demineralized and remineralized areas. In conclusion, OCT could provide clear images of early enamel lesion extent and signal attenuation could indicate its severity and recovery. Clinical data of natural lesions obtained using Dental OCT and analyzed by this approach will also be presented. Study supported by GCOE IRCMSTBD and NCGG.

Dentin remineralization in acid challenge environment via PAMAM and calcium phosphate composite.

PubMed

Liang, Kunneng; Weir, Michael D; Xie, Xianju; Wang, Lin; Reynolds, Mark A; Li, Jiyao; Xu, Hockin H K

2016-11-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of poly (amido amine) (PAMAM), composite with nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP), and the combined PAMAM+NACP nanocomposite treatment, on remineralization of demineralized dentin in a cyclic artificial saliva/lactic acid environment for the first time. Dentin specimens were prepared and demineralized with 37% phosphoric acid for 15s. Four groups were prepared: (1) dentin control, (2) dentin coated with PAMAM, (3) dentin with NACP composite, (4) dentin with PAMAM+NACP. Specimens were treated with a cyclic artificial saliva/lactic acid regimen for 21days. Acid neutralization and calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) ion concentrations were measured. The remineralized dentin specimens were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and hardness testing. NACP nanocomposite had mechanical properties similar to commercial control composites (p>0.1). NACP composite had acid-neutralization and Ca and P ion release capability. PAMAM or NACP composite each alone achieved remineralization and increased the hardness of demineralized dentin (p<0.05). PAMAM+NACP nanocomposite achieved the greatest mineral regeneration in demineralized dentin and the greatest hardness increase in demineralized dentin, which approached the hardness of healthy dentin (p>0.1). The superior remineralization efficacy of PAMAM+NACP was demonstrated for the first time. PAMAM+NACP induced remineralization in demineralized dentin in an acid challenge environment, when conventional remineralization methods such as PAMAM did not work well. The novel PAMAM+NACP composite approach is promising for a wide range of dental applications to inhibit caries and protect tooth structures. Copyright © 2016 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efficacy of Modified Bioactive Glass for Dentin Remineralization and Obstruction of Dentinal Tubules.

PubMed

Saffarpour, Mahshid; Mohammadi, Maryam; Tahriri, Mohammadreza; Zakerzadeh, Azadeh

2017-07-01

This study assessed the efficacy of modified bioactive glass (MBG) for dentin remineralization and obstruction of dentinal tubules. Thirty-six dentin discs were made from 20 third molars and were stored in 12% lactic acid solution for two weeks to induce demineralization. The samples were divided into three groups (n=12): 1- BG, 2- BG modified with 5% strontium (Sr) and 3- BG modified with 10% Sr. After applying the BG, the samples were stored in artificial saliva for 7, 14 and 21 days. Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were used to assess remineralization. Also, 6 dentin discs were divided into three groups of BG, BG modified with 5% Sr and BG modified with 10% Sr, to examine tubular occlusion. The discs were etched using 0.5M of EDTA for two minutes and were stored in artificial saliva for 7 days. Changes in dentin surface morphology were evaluated under SEM. Group 3 showed high rates of remineralization at days 7 and 14, although the rate decreased at day 21. Group 2 exhibited high rates of remineralization at days 7, 14 and 21. Dentinal tubules were partially occluded by BG and BG modified with 5% Sr, while they were almost completely obstructed after the use of BG modified with 10% Sr. Strontium increases remineralization. Addition of 10% Sr to BG enhances apatite formation; however, the apatite dissolves over time. Addition of 5% Sr to BG stabilizes the apatite lattice and increases the remineralization.

Effect of a bonding agent on in vitro biochemical activities of remineralizing resin-based calcium phosphate cements.

PubMed

Dickens, Sabine H; Flaim, Glenn M

2008-09-01

To test whether fluoride in a resin-based Ca-PO4 ion releasing cement or coating with an acidic bonding agent for improved adhesion compromised the cement remineralization potential. Cements were formulated without fluoride (Cement A) or with fluoride (Cement B). The treatment groups were A=Cement A; A2=Cement A+bonding agent; B=Cement B; B2=Cement B+bonding agent. The calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ion release in saliva-like solution (SLS) was determined from hardened cement disks without or with a coating of bonding agent. For the remineralization, two cavities were prepared in dentin of extracted human molars and demineralized. One cavity received composite resin (control); the other received treatment A, A2, B or B2. After 6 week incubation in SLS, 180 microm cross-sections were cut. The percentage remineralization was determined by transverse microradiography comparing the dentin mineral density under the cement to that under the control. The percentage of remineralization (mean+/-S.D.) was A (39+/-14)=B (37+/-18), A2 (23+/-13), B2 (14+/-7). Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Holm-Sidak test showed a significant effect from the presence of bonding agent (p<0.05), but not from fluoride (p>0.05). The ion solution concentrations of all groups showed undersaturation with respect to dicalcium phosphate dihydrate and calcium fluoride and supersaturation for fluorapatite and hydroxyapatite suggesting a positive remineralization potential. Compared to the control all treatments resulted in mineral increase. The remineralization was negatively affected by the presence of the bonding agent.

Combining Bioactive Multifunctional Dental Composite with PAMAM for Root Dentin Remineralization

PubMed Central

Xiao, Shimeng; Liang, Kunneng; Weir, Michael D.; Cheng, Lei; Liu, Huaibing; Zhou, Xuedong; Ding, Yi; Xu, Hockin H. K.

2017-01-01

Objectives. The objectives of this study were to: (1) develop a bioactive multifunctional composite (BMC) via nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP), 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM) and nanoparticles of silver (NAg); and (2) investigate the effects of combined BMC + poly (amido amine) (PAMAM) on remineralization of demineralized root dentin in a cyclic artificial saliva/lactic acid environment for the first time. Methods. Root dentin specimens were prepared and demineralized with 37% phosphoric acid for 15 s. Four groups were prepared: (1) root dentin control; (2) root dentin with BMC; (3) root dentin with PAMAM; (4) root dentin with BMC + PAMAM. Specimens were treated with a cyclic artificial saliva/lactic acid regimen for 21 days. Calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) ion concentrations and acid neutralization were determined. The remineralized root dentin specimens were examined via hardness testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results. Mechanical properties of BMC were similar to commercial control composites (p = 0.913). BMC had excellent Ca and P ion release and acid-neutralization capability. BMC or PAMAM alone each achieved slight mineral regeneration in demineralized root dentin. The combined BMC + PAMAM induced the greatest root dentin remineralization, and increased the hardness of pre-demineralized root dentin to match that of healthy root dentin (p = 0.521). Significance. The excellent root dentin remineralization effects of BMC + PAMAM were demonstrated for the first time. BMC + PAMAM induced effective and complete root dentin remineralization in an acid challenge environment. The novel BMC + PAMAM method is promising for Class V and other restorations to remineralize and protect tooth structures. PMID:28772450

Combining Bioactive Multifunctional Dental Composite with PAMAM for Root Dentin Remineralization.

PubMed

Xiao, Shimeng; Liang, Kunneng; Weir, Michael D; Cheng, Lei; Liu, Huaibing; Zhou, Xuedong; Ding, Yi; Xu, Hockin H K

2017-01-22

Objectives . The objectives of this study were to: (1) develop a bioactive multifunctional composite (BMC) via nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP), 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM) and nanoparticles of silver (NAg); and (2) investigate the effects of combined BMC + poly (amido amine) (PAMAM) on remineralization of demineralized root dentin in a cyclic artificial saliva/lactic acid environment for the first time. Methods . Root dentin specimens were prepared and demineralized with 37% phosphoric acid for 15 s. Four groups were prepared: (1) root dentin control; (2) root dentin with BMC; (3) root dentin with PAMAM; (4) root dentin with BMC + PAMAM. Specimens were treated with a cyclic artificial saliva/lactic acid regimen for 21 days. Calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) ion concentrations and acid neutralization were determined. The remineralized root dentin specimens were examined via hardness testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results . Mechanical properties of BMC were similar to commercial control composites ( p = 0.913). BMC had excellent Ca and P ion release and acid-neutralization capability. BMC or PAMAM alone each achieved slight mineral regeneration in demineralized root dentin. The combined BMC + PAMAM induced the greatest root dentin remineralization, and increased the hardness of pre-demineralized root dentin to match that of healthy root dentin ( p = 0.521). Significance . The excellent root dentin remineralization effects of BMC + PAMAM were demonstrated for the first time. BMC + PAMAM induced effective and complete root dentin remineralization in an acid challenge environment. The novel BMC + PAMAM method is promising for Class V and other restorations to remineralize and protect tooth structures.

Biogenic barite preciptiation at micromolar ambient sulfate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horner, T. J.; Pryer, H. V.; Nielsen, S.; Ricketts, R. D.

2016-12-01

Earth's early oceans were essentially devoid of sulfate, yet barium sulfate (barite) deposits are common to ancient sediments. Most explanations for this `barite paradox' overlook biogenic barite precipitation—the dominant vector of particulate barium cycling in modern seawater—as the ancient oceans were presumably strongly undersaturated with respect to barite. We tested whether biogenic barite could indeed precipitate at trace sulfate by examining the particulate multi-element and Ba-isotopic geochemistry of one of the largest trace-sulfate ecosystems on Earth: Lake Superior. Despite exceptional levels of barite undersaturation in Lake Superior, we find unambiguous evidence of biogenic barite precipitation that is correlated with the depths of greatest organic matter remineralization in the water column. The overall pattern of particulate barium cycling in Lake Superior is strikingly similar to that seen in the open ocean, supporting the critical role of particle-associated `microenvironments' that become rich in respired sulfate as protected sites of biogenic barite formation. Our observations offer a microbially-mediated mechanism for barite formation at micromolar ambient sulfate and thus also a potential resolution to the barite paradox in the ancient oceans.

Mechanisms and detectability of oxygen depletion in the North Atlantic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tjiputra, J. F.; Goris, N.; Lauvset, S. K.; Schwinger, J.

2016-12-01

Dissolved oxygen is a key tracer in models used to represent the tight interaction between ocean biogeochemical cycle and circulation. Future ocean warming and stratification are projected, leading to a reduced oxygen concentration. Reduction in export production, in contrast, is projected to increase subsurface concentration by lowering the oxygen consumption during organic matter remineralization. In this exercise, we use a suite of CMIP5 models to study the oxygen evolution under the RCP8.5 scenario focusing on the North Atlantic, a region of rapid and steady circulation change. Most models agree with a large reduction in the deep North Atlantic (north of 40N), whereas an increase is projected in the upper subtropical ocean region. We attribute the former to weakening of the net primary production due to stronger stratification and the latter to less air-sea oxygen flux owing to less ventilation. The models also show that interior oxygen could provide earlier indicator of climate change than surface tracers. Sustained observation of oxygen is therefore crucial to reaffirm the ongoing circulation change due to global warming.

A new tool for long-term studies of POM-bacteria interactions: overcoming the century-old Bottle Effect

PubMed Central

Ionescu, Danny; Bizic-Ionescu, Mina; Khalili, Arzhang; Malekmohammadi, Reza; Morad, Mohammad Reza; de Beer, Dirk; Grossart, Hans-Peter

2015-01-01

Downward fluxes of particulate organic matter (POM) are the major process for sequestering atmospheric CO2 into aquatic sediments for thousands of years. Budget calculations of the biological carbon pump are heavily based on the ratio between carbon export (sedimentation) and remineralization (release to the atmosphere). Current methodologies determine microbial dynamics on POM using closed vessels, which are strongly biased towards heterotrophy due to rapidly changing water chemistry (Bottle Effect). We developed a flow-through rolling tank for long term studies that continuously maintains POM at near in-situ conditions. There, bacterial communities resembled in-situ communities and greatly differed from those in the closed systems. The active particle-associated community in the flow-through system was stable for days, contrary to hours previously reported for closed incubations. In contrast to enhanced respiration rates, the decrease in photosynthetic rates on particles throughout the incubation was much slower in our system than in traditional ones. These results call for reevaluating experimentally-derived carbon fluxes estimated using traditional methods. PMID:26435525

Long-term dentin remineralization by poly(amido amine) and rechargeable calcium phosphate nanocomposite after fluid challenges.

PubMed

Liang, Kunneng; Xiao, Shimeng; Wu, Junling; Li, Jiyao; Weir, Michael D; Cheng, Lei; Reynolds, Mark A; Zhou, Xuedong; Xu, Hockin H K

2018-04-01

Previous studies investigated short-term dentin remineralization; studies on long-term dentin remineralization after fluid challenges mimicking fluids in oral environment are lacking. The objective of this study was to develop a long-term remineralization method to via poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) and rechargeable composite containing nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP) after fluid challenges for the first time. NACP composite was immersed at pH 4 to exhaust its calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) ions, and then recharged with Ca and P ions, to test the remineralization of the exhausted and recharged NACP composite. Dentin was acid-etched with 37% phosphoric acid. Four groups were prepared: (1) dentin control, (2) dentin with PAMAM, (3) dentin with the recharged NACP composite, and (4) dentin with PAMAM plus recharged NACP composite. PAMAM-coated dentin was immersed in phosphate-buffered saline with shaking for 72 days, because there is fluid flow in the mouth which could potentially detach the PAMAM from dentin. Specimens were treated with a cyclic artificial saliva/lactic acid regimen for 35 days. After 72days of immersion plus shaking, the PAMAM still successfully fulfilled its mineralization nucleation. The recharged NACP composite still provided acid-neutralization and ion re-release, which did not decrease with increasing the number of recharge cycles. The immersed-PAMAM plus NACP achieved complete dentin remineralization and restored the hardness to that of healthy dentin. In conclusion, superior long-term remineralization of the PAMAM plus NACP method was demonstrated for the first time. The immersed-PAMAM plus recharged NACP completely remineralized the pre-demineralized dentin, even after prolonged fluid-challenge similar to that in oral environment. The novel PAMAM plus NACP composite method is promising to provide long-term tooth protection and caries inhibition. Copyright © 2018 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Poly(amido amine) and calcium phosphate nanocomposite remineralization of dentin in acidic solution without calcium phosphate ions.

PubMed

Liang, Kunneng; Zhou, Han; Weir, Michael D; Bao, Chongyun; Reynolds, Mark A; Zhou, Xuedong; Li, Jiyao; Xu, Hockin H K

2017-07-01

Patients with dry mouth often have an acidic oral environment lacking saliva that provides calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) ions. However, there has been no study on dentin remineralization by placing samples in an acidic solution without Ca and P ions. Previous studies used saliva-like solutions with neutral pH and Ca and P ions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate a novel method of combining poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) with a composite of nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP) on dentin remineralization in an acidic solution without Ca and P ions for the first time. Demineralized dentin specimens were tested into four groups: (1) dentin control, (2) dentin coated with PAMAM, (3) dentin with NACP nanocomposite, (4) dentin with PAMAM plus NACP composite. Specimens were treated with lactic acid at pH 4 without initial Ca and P ions for 21 days. Acid neutralization and Ca and P ion concentrations were measured. Dentin specimens were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and hardness testing vs. remineralization efficacy. NACP composite had mechanical properties similar to commercial control composites (p>0.1). NACP composite neutralized acid and released Ca and P ions. PAMAM alone failed to induce dentin remineralization. NACP alone achieved mild remineralization and slightly increased dentin hardness at 21days (p>0.1). In contrast, the PAMAM+NACP nanocomposite method in acid solution without initial Ca and P ions greatly remineralized the pre-demineralized dentin, restoring its hardness to approach that of healthy dentin (p>0.1). Dentin remineralization via PAMAM+NACP in pH 4 acid without initial Ca and P ions was demonstrated for the first time, when conventional methods such as PAMAM did not work. The novel PAMAM+NACP nanocomposite method is promising to protect tooth structures, especially for patients with reduced saliva to inhibit caries. Copyright © 2017 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Impact of organic carbon quality on methanogenesis in subterranean estuaries and implications for greenhouse gas production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pain, A.; Young, C. R.; Martin, J. B.

2016-12-01

The land-sea interface is a hotspot for organic carbon (OC) remineralization reactions, which generate greenhouse gases (CO2 and CH4). Intense processing of terrestrial organic carbon occurs in surface estuaries, and the extent of reactions depends in part on OC reactivity. Subterranean estuaries (STEs) are ubiquitous along coastlines but understudied relative to surface estuaries. However, they could possess many of the same characteristics that lead to intense OC processing in surface estuaries and perhaps be even more important to C cycling considering their small water-sediment ratios. We assess OC processing in three seepage faces discharging to Indian River Lagoon, FL (Eau Gallie North, EGN; Riverwalk Park, RWP; and Banana River Lagoon, BRL), by measuring the quantity and quality of dissolved OC along with concentrations and δ13C signatures of dissolved CO2 and CH4. OC quality is assessed with fluorescence and PARAFAC modeling to depict changes in the abundance of reactive OC. CH4 concentrations vary by orders of magnitude between seepage faces, with the highest concentrations of 100 µM at RWP. RWP is more reducing than EGN and BRL and also contains the highest abundance of labile protein-like organic matter, which may fuel more extensive OC remineralization reactions. Residuals of salinity-based concentration and isotopic mixing models between lagoon surface water and inland groundwater indicate changes in concentration and isotopic compositions of CO2 and CH4 in the STE is due to reactions rather than mixing. At EGN and BRL, CO2 and CH4 are produced at a molar ratio of CO2:CH4 = 4 and 1.5, respectively, suggesting predominant methanogenesis via acetate fermentation, which produces CO2:CH4 ratios of 1. At RWP, CO2 is consumed as CH4 is produced at a molar ratio of -0.8, near the expected change in CO2:CH4 of -1 for methanogenesis via CO2 reduction. RWP δ13C-CH4 signatures are more depleted (-81‰) than EGN and BRL (-55‰), further supporting different methanogenesis pathways at the sites. OC quality may therefore not only regulate the extent of methanogenesis but also methanogenesis pathways in STEs. Why the sites differ in OC reactivity is unknown, but fluxes of greenhouse gases from STEs appear to depend on variations in OC reactivity in Indian River Lagoon seepage faces and perhaps other STEs globally.

Insights on geochemical cycling of U, Re and Mo from seasonal sampling in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Morford, J.L.; Martin, W. R.; Kalnejais, Linda H.; Francois, R.; Bothner, Michael H.; Karle, I.-M.

2007-01-01

This study examined the removal of U, Mo, and Re from seawater by sedimentary processes at a shallow-water site with near-saturation bottom water O2 levels (240–380 μmol O2/L), very high organic matter oxidation rates (annually averaged rate is 880 μmol C/cm2/y), and shallow oxygen penetration depths (4 mm or less throughout the year). Under these conditions, U, Mo, and Re were removed rapidly to asymptotic pore water concentrations of 2.2–3.3 nmol/kg (U), 7–13 nmol/kg (Mo), and 11–14 pmol/kg (Re). The depth order in which the three metals were removed, determined by fitting a diffusion-reaction model to measured profiles, was Re < U < Mo. Model fits also suggest that the Mo profiles clearly showed the presence of a near-interface layer in which Mo was added to pore waters by remineralization of a solid phase. The importance of this solid phase source of pore water Mo increased from January to October as the organic matter oxidation rate increased, bottom water O2 decreased, and the O2 penetration depth decreased. Experiments with in situ benthic flux chambers generally showed fluxes of U and Mo into the sediments. However, when the overlying water O2 concentration in the chambers was allowed to drop to very low levels, Mn and Fe were released to the overlying water along with the simultaneous release of Mo and U. These experiments suggest that remineralization of Mn and/or Fe oxides may be a source of Mo and perhaps U to pore waters, and may complicate the accumulation of U and Mo in bioturbated sediments with high organic matter oxidation rates and shallow O2 penetration depths.Benthic chamber experiments including the nonreactive solute tracer, Br−, indicated that sediment irrigation was very important to solute exchange at the study site. The enhancement of sediment–seawater exchange due to irrigation was determined for the nonreactive tracer (Br−), TCO2, NH4+">NH4+, U and Mo. The comparisons between these solutes showed that reactions within and around the burrows were very important for modulating the Mo flux, but less important for U. The effect of these reactions on Mo exchange was highly variable, enhancing Mo (and, to a lesser extent, U) uptake at times of relatively modest irrigation, but inhibiting exchange when irrigation rates were faster. These results reinforce the observation that Mo can be released to and removed from pore waters via sedimentary reactions.The removal rate of U and Mo from seawater by sedimentary reactions was found to agree with the rate of accumulation of authigenic U and Mo in the solid phase. The fluxes of U and Mo determined by in situ benthic flux chamber measurements were the largest that have been measured to date. These results confirm that removal of redox-sensitive metals from continental margin sediments underlying oxic bottom water is important, and suggest that continental margin sediments play a key role in the marine budgets of these metals.

Caries lesion remineralization with fluoride toothpastes and chlorhexidine - effects of application timing and toothpaste surfactant

PubMed Central

Almohefer, Sami A.; Levon, John A.; Gregory, Richard L.

2018-01-01

Abstract Habitual toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste followed by rinsing with antibacterial mouthwashes is a method to maintain good oral hygiene and to diminish the occurrence and severity of dental caries and periodontal disease. However, our understanding of how antimicrobial agents in mouthwashes affect fluoride-mediated caries lesion remineralization is still poor. Objective: The objectives of this in vitro study were a) to determine the effects of the waiting period of chlorhexidine (CHX) rinsing after fluoride toothpaste use and b) to further determine the effect of the type of toothpaste surfactant [sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB)] on caries lesion remineralization associated with CHX rinsing. Material and Methods: Caries lesions were formed in bovine enamel specimens and assigned to 10 treatment groups (n=18) based on Vickers surface microhardness (VHN). Lesions were then pH-cycled for 10 days with daily regimen comprised of twice daily toothpaste slurry treatments (1150 ppm fluoride, with SDS or CAPB), followed by CHX solution treatments [0, 15, 30 or 60 minutes following slurry treatment or no CHX treatment (negative control)]. VHN was measured again and the extent of lesion remineralization calculated (∆VHN). Results: ∆VHN with SDS-toothpaste was significantly lower than with CAPB-toothpaste, indicating more remineralization for the CAPB-toothpaste. ∆VHN with 0-minute waiting time was significantly lower than with 30-minute waiting time and with negative control. Conclusions: The absence of CHX as an adjunct to fluoride toothpastes led to greater remineralization of enamel lesions compared with the immediate use of CHX treatment for both SDS- and CAPB-toothpastes. CAPB-toothpastes indicated significantly greater remineralization than SDS-toothpastes, and can be suggested for patients at high risk of caries. A 30-minute waiting time for CHX treatment is recommended after brushing.

Effect of Lesion Baseline Severity and Mineral Distribution on Remineralization and Progression of Human and Bovine Dentin Caries Lesions.

PubMed

Lippert, Frank; Churchley, David; Lynch, Richard J

2015-01-01

The aims of this laboratory study were to compare the effects of lesion baseline severity, mineral distribution and substrate on remineralization and progression of caries lesions created in root dentin. Lesions were formed in dentin specimens prepared from human and bovine dentin using three protocols, each utilizing three demineralization periods to create lesions of different mineral distributions (subsurface, moderate softening, extreme softening) and severity within each lesion type. Lesions were then either remineralized or demineralized further and analyzed using transverse microradiography. At lesion baseline, no differences were found between human and bovine dentin for integrated mineral loss (x0394;Z). Differences in mineral distribution between lesion types were apparent. Human dentin lesions were more prone to secondary demineralization (x0394;x0394;Z) than bovine dentin lesions, although there were no differences in x0394;L. Likewise, smaller lesions were more susceptible to secondary demineralization than larger ones. Subsurface lesions were more acid-resistant than moderately and extremely softened lesions. After remineralization, differences between human and bovine dentin lesions were not apparent for x0394;x0394;Z although bovine dentin lesions showed greater reduction in lesion depth L. For lesion types, responsiveness to remineralization (x0394;x0394;Z) was in the order extremely softened>moderately softened>subsurface. More demineralized lesions exhibited greater remineralization than shallower ones. In summary, some differences exist between human and bovine dentin and their relative responsiveness to de- and remineralization. These differences, however, were overshadowed by the effects of lesion baseline mineral distribution and severity. Thus, bovine dentin appears to be a suitable substitute for human dentin in mechanistic root caries studies. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Efficacy of Modified Bioactive Glass for Dentin Remineralization and Obstruction of Dentinal Tubules

PubMed Central

Saffarpour, Mahshid; Tahriri, Mohammadreza; Zakerzadeh, Azadeh

2017-01-01

Objectives: This study assessed the efficacy of modified bioactive glass (MBG) for dentin remineralization and obstruction of dentinal tubules. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six dentin discs were made from 20 third molars and were stored in 12% lactic acid solution for two weeks to induce demineralization. The samples were divided into three groups (n=12): 1- BG, 2- BG modified with 5% strontium (Sr) and 3- BG modified with 10% Sr. After applying the BG, the samples were stored in artificial saliva for 7, 14 and 21 days. Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis were used to assess remineralization. Also, 6 dentin discs were divided into three groups of BG, BG modified with 5% Sr and BG modified with 10% Sr, to examine tubular occlusion. The discs were etched using 0.5M of EDTA for two minutes and were stored in artificial saliva for 7 days. Changes in dentin surface morphology were evaluated under SEM. Results: Group 3 showed high rates of remineralization at days 7 and 14, although the rate decreased at day 21. Group 2 exhibited high rates of remineralization at days 7, 14 and 21. Dentinal tubules were partially occluded by BG and BG modified with 5% Sr, while they were almost completely obstructed after the use of BG modified with 10% Sr. Conclusions: Strontium increases remineralization. Addition of 10% Sr to BG enhances apatite formation; however, the apatite dissolves over time. Addition of 5% Sr to BG stabilizes the apatite lattice and increases the remineralization. PMID:29285031

Non-destructive measurement of demineralization and remineralization in the occlusal pits and fissures of extracted 3rd molars with PS-OCT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Chulsung; Hsu, Dennis J.; Le, Michael H.; Darling, Cynthia L.; Fried, Daniel

2009-02-01

Previous studies have demonstrated that Polarization Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography (PS-OCT) can be used to image the remineralization of early artificial caries lesion on smooth enamel surfaces of human and bovine teeth. However, most new dental decay is found in the pits and fissures of the occlusal surfaces of posterior dentition and it is in these high risk areas where the performance of new caries imaging devices need to be investigated. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that PS-OCT can be used to measure the subsequent remineralization of artificial lesions produced in the pits and fissures of extracted 3rd molars. A PS-OCT system operating at 1310-nm was used to acquire polarization resolved images of occlusal surfaces exposed to a demineralizing solution at pH-4.5 followed by a fluoride containing remineralizing solution at pH-7.0 containing 2-ppm fluoride. The integrated reflectivity was calculated to a depth of 200-µm in the entire lesion area using an automated image processing algorithm. Although a well-defined surface zone was clearly resolved in only a few of the samples that underwent remineralization, the PS-OCT measurements indicated a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the integrated reflectivity between the severity of the lesions that were exposed to the remineralization solution and those that were not. The lesion depth and mineral loss were also measured with polarized light microscopy and transverse microradiography after sectioning the teeth. These results show that PS-OCT can be used to non-destructively monitor the remineralization potential of anti-caries agents in the important pits and fissures of the occlusal surface.

Remineralization of artificial enamel lesions by theobromine.

PubMed

Amaechi, B T; Porteous, N; Ramalingam, K; Mensinkai, P K; Ccahuana Vasquez, R A; Sadeghpour, A; Nakamoto, T

2013-01-01

This study investigated the remineralization potential of theobromine in comparison to a standard NaF dentifrice. Three tooth blocks were produced from each of 30 teeth. Caries-like lesion was created on each block using acidified gel. A smaller block was cut from each block for baseline scanning electron microscopy imaging and electron-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis for surface Ca level. A tooth slice was cut from each lesion-bearing block for transverse microradiography (TMR) quantification of baseline mineral loss (Δz) and lesion depth (LD). Then baseline surface microhardness (SMH) of each lesion was measured. The three blocks from each tooth were assigned to three remineralizing agents: (1) artificial saliva; (2) artificial saliva with theobromine (0.0011 mol/l), and (3) NaF toothpaste slurry (0.0789 mol/l F). Remineralization was conducted using a pH cycling model with storage in artificial saliva. After a 28-day cycle, samples were analyzed using EDS, TMR, and SMH. Intragroup comparison of pre- and posttest data was performed using t tests (p < 0.05). Intergroup comparisons were performed by post hoc multistep comparisons (Tukey). SMH indicated significant (p < 0.01) remineralization only with theobromine (38 ± 32%) and toothpaste (29 ± 16%). With TMR (Δz/lD), theobromine and toothpaste exhibited significantly (p < 0.01) higher mineral gain relative to artificial saliva. With SMH and TMR, remineralization produced by theobromine and toothpaste was not significantly different. With EDS, calcium deposition was significant in all groups, but not significantly different among the groups (theobromine 13 ± 8%, toothpaste 10 ± 5%, and artificial saliva 6 ± 8%). The present study demonstrated that theobromine in an apatite-forming medium can enhance the remineralization potential of the medium. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Reminova and EAER: Keeping Enamel Whole through Caries Remineralization.

PubMed

Pitts, N B; Wright, J P

2018-02-01

This article aims to outline the early development of a King's College London dental spinout company, Reminova, formed to commercialize a novel clinical method of caries remineralization: electrically accelerated and enhanced remineralization (EAER). This method is being developed to address the unmet clinical need identified by modern caries management strategies to keep enamel "whole" through remineralization of clinical caries as a form of nonoperative caries treatment for initial-stage and moderate lesions. A progressive movement within dentistry is shifting away from the restorative-only model, which, it is suggested, has failed. The high prevalence of initial-stage caries across populations provides a significant opportunity to prevent restorations and reduce repeat restorations over a patient's lifetime. Reminova has set out to provide a method to repair lesions without drilling, filling, pain, or injections. The article outlines the rationale for and the chronological stages of the technology and company development. It then outlines corroborative evidence to show that EAER treatment can, in this preliminary in vitro investigation, remineralize clinically significant caries throughout the depth of the lesion as measured by Knoop microhardness and corroborated by scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the presented data show that EAER-treated enamel is harder than the healthy enamel measured nearby in each sample and is very similar in appearance to healthy enamel from the subjective interpretation made possible by scanning electron microscopy imagery. The data presented also show that this more "complete" remineralization to a high hardness level has been achieved with 2 remineralizing agents via in vitro human tooth samples. The broad clinical potential of this new treatment methodology seems to be very encouraging from these results. Reminova will strive to continue its mission, to ensure that, in the future, dental teams will not need to drill holes for the treatment of initial-stage and moderate caries lesions.

Effect of xylitol varnishes on remineralization of artificial enamel caries lesions in vitro.

PubMed

Cardoso, C A B; de Castilho, A R F; Salomão, P M A; Costa, E N; Magalhães, A C; Buzalaf, M A R

2014-11-01

Analyse the effect of varnishes containing xylitol alone or combined with fluoride on the remineralization of artificial enamel caries lesions in vitro. Bovine enamel specimens were randomly allocated to 7 groups (n=15/group). Artificial caries lesions were produced by immersion in 30 mL of lactic acid buffer containing 3mM CaCl2·2H2O, 3mM KH2PO4, 6 μM tetraetil metil diphosphanate (pH 5.0) for 6 days. The enamel blocks were treated with the following varnishes: 10% xylitol; 20% xylitol; 10% xylitol plus F (5% NaF); 20% xylitol plus F (5% NaF); Duofluorid™ (6% NaF, 2.71% F+6% CaF2), Duraphat™ (5% NaF, positive control) and placebo (no-F/xylitol, negative control). The varnishes were applied in a thin layer and removed after 6h. The blocks were subjected to pH-cycles (demineralization-2h/remineralization-22 h during 8 days) and enamel alterations were quantified by surface hardness and transversal microradiography. The percentage of surface hardness recovery (%SHR), the integrated mineral loss and lesion depth were statistically analysed by ANOVA/Tukey's test or Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn's test (p<0.05). Enamel surface remineralization was significantly increased by Duraphat™, 10% xylitol plus F and 20% xylitol plus F formulations, while significant subsurface mineral remineralization could be seen only for enamel treated with Duraphat™, Duofluorid™ and 20% xylitol formulations. 20% xylitol varnishes seem to be promising alternatives to increase remineralization of artificial caries lesions. effective vehicles are desirable for caries control. Xylitol varnishes seem to be promising alternatives to increase enamel remineralization in vitro, which should be confirmed by in situ and clinical studies. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Oriented and Ordered Biomimetic Remineralization of the Surface of Demineralized Dental Enamel Using HAP@ACP Nanoparticles Guided by Glycine

PubMed Central

Wang, Haorong; Xiao, Zuohui; Yang, Jie; Lu, Danyang; Kishen, Anil; Li, Yanqiu; Chen, Zhen; Que, Kehua; Zhang, Qian; Deng, Xuliang; Yang, Xiaoping; Cai, Qing; Chen, Ning; Cong, Changhong; Guan, Binbin; Li, Ting; Zhang, Xu

2017-01-01

Achieving oriented and ordered remineralization on the surface of demineralized dental enamel, thereby restoring the satisfactory mechanical properties approaching those of sound enamel, is still a challenge for dentists. To mimic the natural biomineralization approach for enamel remineralization, the biological process of enamel development proteins, such as amelogenin, was simulated in this study. In this work, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) conjugated with alendronate (ALN) was applied to stabilize amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) to form CMC/ACP nanoparticles. Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) functioned as the protease which decompose amelogenin in vivo to degrade the CMC-ALN matrix and generate HAP@ACP core-shell nanoparticles. Finally, when guided by 10 mM glycine (Gly), HAP@ACP nanoparticles can arrange orderly and subsequently transform from an amorphous phase to well-ordered rod-like apatite crystals to achieve oriented and ordered biomimetic remineralization on acid-etched enamel surfaces. This biomimetic remineralization process is achieved through the oriented attachment (OA) of nanoparticles based on non-classical crystallization theory. These results indicate that finding and developing analogues of natural proteins such as amelogenin involved in the biomineralization by natural macromolecular polymers and imitating the process of biomineralization would be an effective strategy for enamel remineralization. Furthermore, this method represents a promising method for the management of early caries in minimal invasive dentistry (MID). PMID:28079165

Inhibition of enamel remineralization with blue LED: an in vitro study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kato, Ilka Tiemy; Mendes, Fausto Medeiros; Zezell, Denise Maria; Zanardi de Freitas, Anderson; Raele, Marcus Paulo; Wetter, Niklaus Ursus

2009-02-01

Blue light, especially from LED devices, is a tool very frequently used in dental procedures. However, the investigations of its effects on dental enamel are focused primarily on enamel demineralization and fluoride retention. Despite the fact that this spectral region can inhibit enamel demineralization, the consequences of the irradiation on demineralized enamel are not known. For this reason, we evaluated the effects of blue LED on enamel remineralization. Artificial lesions formed in bovine dental enamel samples by immersion in undersaturated acetate buffer were divided into three groups. In the first group (DE), the lesions were not submitted to any treatment. In the second (RE), the lesions were submitted to remineralization. The lesions from the third group (LED+RE) were irradiated with blue LED (455nm, 1.38W/cm2, 13.75J/cm2 and 10s) before the remineralization. Cross-sectional microhardness was used to assess mineral changes induced by remineralization under pH-cycling. The mineral deposition occurred preferably in the middle portion of the lesions. Specimens from group RE showed higher hardness value than the DE ones. On the other hand, the mean hardness value of the LED+RE samples was not statistically different from the DE samples. Results obtained in the present study show that the blue light is not innocuous for the dental enamel and inhibition of its remineralization can occur.

Confocal laser scanning microscopy and area-scale analysis used to quantify enamel surface textural changes from citric acid demineralization and salivary remineralization in vitro.

PubMed

Austin, R S; Giusca, C L; Macaulay, G; Moazzez, R; Bartlett, D W

2016-02-01

This paper investigates the application of confocal laser scanning microscopy to determine the effect of acid-mediated erosive enamel wear on the micro-texture of polished human enamel in vitro. Twenty polished enamel samples were prepared and subjected to a citric acid erosion and pooled human saliva remineralization model. Enamel surface microhardness was measured using a Knoop hardness tester, which confirmed that an early enamel erosion lesion was formed which was then subsequently completely remineralized. A confocal laser scanning microscope was used to capture high-resolution images of the enamel surfaces undergoing demineralization and remineralization. Area-scale analysis was used to identify the optimal feature size following which the surface texture was determined using the 3D (areal) texture parameter Sa. The Sa successfully characterized the enamel erosion and remineralization for the polished enamel samples (P<0.001). Areal surface texture characterization of the surface events occurring during enamel demineralization and remineralization requires optical imaging instrumentation with lateral resolution <2.5 μm, applied in combination with appropriate filtering in order to remove unwanted waviness and roughness. These techniques will facilitate the development of novel methods for measuring early enamel erosion lesions in natural enamel surfaces in vivo. Copyright © 2015 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Oriented and Ordered Biomimetic Remineralization of the Surface of Demineralized Dental Enamel Using HAP@ACP Nanoparticles Guided by Glycine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Haorong; Xiao, Zuohui; Yang, Jie; Lu, Danyang; Kishen, Anil; Li, Yanqiu; Chen, Zhen; Que, Kehua; Zhang, Qian; Deng, Xuliang; Yang, Xiaoping; Cai, Qing; Chen, Ning; Cong, Changhong; Guan, Binbin; Li, Ting; Zhang, Xu

2017-01-01

Achieving oriented and ordered remineralization on the surface of demineralized dental enamel, thereby restoring the satisfactory mechanical properties approaching those of sound enamel, is still a challenge for dentists. To mimic the natural biomineralization approach for enamel remineralization, the biological process of enamel development proteins, such as amelogenin, was simulated in this study. In this work, carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) conjugated with alendronate (ALN) was applied to stabilize amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) to form CMC/ACP nanoparticles. Sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) functioned as the protease which decompose amelogenin in vivo to degrade the CMC-ALN matrix and generate HAP@ACP core-shell nanoparticles. Finally, when guided by 10 mM glycine (Gly), HAP@ACP nanoparticles can arrange orderly and subsequently transform from an amorphous phase to well-ordered rod-like apatite crystals to achieve oriented and ordered biomimetic remineralization on acid-etched enamel surfaces. This biomimetic remineralization process is achieved through the oriented attachment (OA) of nanoparticles based on non-classical crystallization theory. These results indicate that finding and developing analogues of natural proteins such as amelogenin involved in the biomineralization by natural macromolecular polymers and imitating the process of biomineralization would be an effective strategy for enamel remineralization. Furthermore, this method represents a promising method for the management of early caries in minimal invasive dentistry (MID).

Retention in plaque and remineralization of enamel lesions by various forms of calcium in a mouthrinse or sugar-free chewing gum.

PubMed

Reynolds, E C; Cai, F; Shen, P; Walker, G D

2003-03-01

Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) nanocomplexes incorporated into sugar-free chewing gum have been shown to remineralize enamel subsurface lesions in situ. The aim of this study was to compare the ability of CPP-ACP, with that of other forms of calcium, to be retained in supragingival plaque and remineralize enamel subsurface lesions in situ when delivered in a mouthrinse or sugar-free gum in randomized, double-blind trials. In the mouthrinse study, only the CPP-ACP-containing mouthrinse significantly increased plaque calcium and inorganic phosphate levels, and the CPP were immunolocalized to the surfaces of bacterial cells as well as the intercellular matrix. In the chewing gum studies, the gum containing the CPP-ACP, although not containing the most calcium per piece of gum, produced the highest level of enamel remineralization independent of gum-chewing frequency and duration. The CPP could be detected in plaque extracts 3 hrs after subjects chewed the CPP-ACP-containing gum. The results showed that CPP-ACP were superior to other forms of calcium in remineralizing enamel subsurface lesions.

Comparison of CPP-ACP, Tri-Calcium Phosphate and Hydroxyapatite on Remineralization of Artificial Caries Like Lesions on Primary Enamel -An in vitro Study.

PubMed

Bajaj, Meghna; Poornima, P; Praveen, S; Nagaveni, N B; Roopa, K B; Neena, I E; Bharath, K P

To compare CPP-ACP, Tri-calcium phosphate and Hydroxyapatite on remineralization of artificial caries like lesions on primary enamel. Ten extracted Primary molars coated with nail varnish, leaving a window of 2×4 mm on buccal and lingual surface were immersed in demineralizing solution for 96 hours and sectioned longitudinally to obtain 40 sections (4 sections per tooth) and were randomly divided into 4 groups (A to D) n=10; Group A: negative control, Group B: CPP-ACP, Group C: Tri-calcium phosphate, Group D: Hydroxyapatite. Sections were subjected to pH cycling for 10 days and were evaluated by polarized light microscope before and after treatment. Intra group comparison of demineralization and remineralization was done by paired t-test. One way ANOVA was used for multiple group comparisons followed by post HOC TUKEY'S Test for group wise comparisons. Remineralization was found more with Group D followed by Group B, C and A. Hydroxyapatite showed better remineralization when compared to CPP-ACP and Tri-calcium phosphate.

Assessment of dentin remineralization with PS-OCT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manesh, Saman K.; Darling, Cynthia L.; Fried, Daniel

2009-02-01

Previous studies have demonstrated that polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) can be used to image natural root caries lesions, measure non-destructively the severity of dentin demineralization and determine the efficacy of intervention with anti-caries agents including fluoride and lasers. The objective of this study was to determine if PS-OCT could be used to nondestructively measure the formation of a layer of remineralized dentin on the surface of dentin lesions after exposure to a remineralization solution. In this study images of artificial dentin lesions on extracted human teeth were acquired using PS-OCT after exposure to an artificial demineralizing solution at pH 4.9 for six days and after subsequent exposure to a remineralizing solution at pH 7.0 for 20 days. Polarized light microscopy and microradiography were used to examine histological thin sections from the samples for comparison. PS-OCT successfully measured the formation of a layer of increased mineral content near the lesion surface. PLM and TMR corroborated those results. This study demonstrates the potential use of PS-OCT for the nondestructive measurement of the remineralization of dentin surfaces.

Microphytoplankton variations during coral spawning at Los Roques, Southern Caribbean

PubMed Central

Zubillaga, Ainhoa L.; Bastidas, Carolina

2016-01-01

Phytoplankton drives primary productivity in marine pelagic systems. This is also true for the oligotrophic waters in coral reefs, where natural and anthropogenic sources of nutrients can alter pelagic trophic webs. In this study, microphytoplankton assemblages were characterized for the first time in relation to expected coral spawning dates in the Caribbean. A hierarchical experimental design was used to examine these assemblages in Los Roques archipelago, Venezuela, at various temporal and spatial scales for spawning events in both 2007 and 2008. At four reefs, superficial water samples were taken daily for 9 days after the full moon of August, including days before, during and after the expected days of coral spawning. Microphytoplankton assemblages comprised 100 microalgae taxa at up to 50 cells per mL (mean ± 8 SD) and showed temporal and spatial variations related to the coral spawning only in 2007. However, chlorophyll a concentrations increased during and after the spawning events in both years, and this was better matched with analyses of higher taxonomical groups (diatoms, cyanophytes and dinoflagellates), that also varied in relation to spawning times in 2007 and 2008, but asynchronously among reefs. Heterotrophic and mixotrophic dinoflagellates increased in abundance, correlating with a decrease of the diatom Cerataulina pelagica and an increase of the diatom Rhizosolenia imbricata. These variations occurred during and after the coral spawning event for some reefs in 2007. For the first time, a fresh-water cyanobacteria species of Anabaena was ephemerally found (only 3 days) in the archipelago, at reefs closest to human settlements. Variability among reefs in relation to spawning times indicated that reef-specific processes such as water residence time, re-mineralization rates, and benthic-pelagic coupling can be relevant to the observed patterns. These results suggest an important role of microheterotrophic grazers in re-mineralization of organic matter in coral reef waters and highlight the importance of assessing compositional changes of larger size fractions of the phytoplankton when evaluating primary productivity and nutrient fluxes. PMID:27019774

Benthic fluxes of dissolved organic nitrogen in the lower St. Lawrence estuary and implications for selective organic matter degradation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alkhatib, M.; del Giorgio, P. A.; Gelinas, Y.; Lehmann, M. F.

2013-11-01

The distribution of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and carbon (DOC) in sediment porewaters was determined at nine locations along the St. Lawrence estuary and in the gulf of St. Lawrence. In a previous manuscript (Alkhatib et al., 2012a), we have shown that this study area is characterized by gradients in the sedimentary particulate organic matter (POM) reactivity, bottom water oxygen concentrations, and benthic respiration rates. Based on the porewater profiles, we estimated the benthic diffusive fluxes of DON and DOC in the same area. Our results show that DON fluxed out of the sediments at significant rates (110 to 430 μmol m-2 d-1). DON fluxes were positively correlated with sedimentary POM reactivity and varied inversely with sediment oxygen exposure time (OET), suggesting direct links between POM quality, aerobic remineralization and the release of DON to the water column. DON fluxes were on the order of 30 to 64% of the total benthic inorganic fixed N loss due to denitrification, and often exceeded the diffusive nitrate fluxes into the sediments. Hence they represented a large fraction of the total benthic N exchange, a result that is particularly important in light of the fact that DON fluxes are usually not accounted for in estuarine and coastal zone nutrient budgets. In contrast to DON, DOC fluxes out of the sediments did not show any significant spatial variation along the Laurentian Channel (LC) between the estuary and the gulf (2100 ± 100 μmol m-2 d-1). The molar C / N ratio of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in porewater and the overlying bottom water varied significantly along the transect, with lowest C / N in the lower estuary (5-6) and highest C / N (> 10) in the gulf. Large differences between the C / N ratios of porewater DOM and POM are mainly attributed to a combination of selective POM hydrolysis and elemental fractionation during subsequent DOM mineralization, but selective adsorption of DOM to mineral phases could not be excluded as a potential C / N fractionating process. The extent of this C- versus N- element partitioning seems to be linked to POM reactivity and redox conditions in the sediment porewaters. Our results thus highlight the variable effects selective organic matter (OM) preservation can have on bulk sedimentary C / N ratios, decoupling the primary source C / N signatures from those in sedimentary paleoenvironmental archives. Our study further underscores that the role of estuarine sediments as efficient sinks of bioavailable nitrogen is strongly influenced by the release of DON during early diagenetic reactions, and that DON fluxes from continental margin sediments represent an important internal source of N to the ocean.

Temperature and UV light affect the activity of marine cell-free enzymes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomson, Blair; Hepburn, Christopher David; Lamare, Miles; Baltar, Federico

2017-09-01

Microbial extracellular enzymatic activity (EEA) is the rate-limiting step in the degradation of organic matter in the oceans. These extracellular enzymes exist in two forms: cell-bound, which are attached to the microbial cell wall, and cell-free, which are completely free of the cell. Contrary to previous understanding, cell-free extracellular enzymes make up a substantial proportion of the total marine EEA. Little is known about these abundant cell-free enzymes, including what factors control their activity once they are away from their sites (cells). Experiments were run to assess how cell-free enzymes (excluding microbes) respond to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and temperature manipulations, previously suggested as potential control factors for these enzymes. The experiments were done with New Zealand coastal waters and the enzymes studied were alkaline phosphatase (APase), β-glucosidase, (BGase), and leucine aminopeptidase (LAPase). Environmentally relevant UVR (i.e. in situ UVR levels measured at our site) reduced cell-free enzyme activities by up to 87 % when compared to controls, likely a consequence of photodegradation. This effect of UVR on cell-free enzymes differed depending on the UVR fraction. Ambient levels of UV radiation were shown to reduce the activity of cell-free enzymes for the first time. Elevated temperatures (15 °C) increased the activity of cell-free enzymes by up to 53 % when compared to controls (10 °C), likely by enhancing the catalytic activity of the enzymes. Our results suggest the importance of both UVR and temperature as control mechanisms for cell-free enzymes. Given the projected warming ocean environment and the variable UVR light regime, it is possible that there could be major changes in the cell-free EEA and in the enzymes contribution to organic matter remineralization in the future.

The Effect of Increased Loads of Dissolved Organic Matter on Estuarine Microbial Community Composition and Function

PubMed Central

Traving, Sachia J.; Rowe, Owen; Jakobsen, Nina M.; Sørensen, Helle; Dinasquet, Julie; Stedmon, Colin A.; Andersson, Agneta; Riemann, Lasse

2017-01-01

Increased river loads are projected as one of the major consequences of climate change in the northern hemisphere, leading to elevated inputs of riverine dissolved organic matter (DOM) and inorganic nutrients to coastal ecosystems. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of elevated DOM on a coastal pelagic food web from the coastal northern Baltic Sea, in a 32-day mesocosm experiment. In particular, the study addresses the response of bacterioplankton to differences in character and composition of supplied DOM. The supplied DOM differed in stoichiometry and quality and had pronounced effects on the recipient bacterioplankton, driving compositional changes in response to DOM type. The shifts in bacterioplankton community composition were especially driven by the proliferation of Bacteroidetes, Gemmatimonadetes, Planctomycetes, and Alpha- and Betaproteobacteria populations. The DOM additions stimulated protease activity and a release of inorganic nutrients, suggesting that DOM was actively processed. However, no difference between DOM types was detected in these functions despite different community compositions. Extensive release of re-mineralized carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus was associated with the bacterial processing, corresponding to 25–85% of the supplied DOM. The DOM additions had a negative effect on phytoplankton with decreased Chl a and biomass, particularly during the first half of the experiment. However, the accumulating nutrients likely stimulated phytoplankton biomass which was observed to increase towards the end of the experiment. This suggests that the nutrient access partially outweighed the negative effect of increased light attenuation by accumulating DOM. Taken together, our experimental data suggest that parts of the future elevated riverine DOM supply to the Baltic Sea will be efficiently mineralized by microbes. This will have consequences for bacterioplankton and phytoplankton community composition and function, and significantly affect nutrient biogeochemistry. PMID:28337180

Characterization and spacial distribution variability of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in the Yangtze Estuary.

PubMed

Wang, Ying; Zhang, Di; Shen, Zhenyao; Chen, Jing; Feng, Chenghong

2014-01-01

The spatial characteristics and the quantity and quality of the chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in the Yangtze Estuary, based on the abundance, degree of humification and sources, were studied using 3D fluorescence excitation emission matrix spectra (F-EEMs) with parallel factor and principal component analysis (PARAFAC-PCA). The results indicated that the CDOM abundance decreased and the aromaticity increased from the upstream to the downstream areas of the estuary. Higher CDOM abundance and degrees of humification were observed in the pore water than that in the surface and bottom waters. Two humic-like components (C1 and C3) and one tryptophan-like component (C2) were identified using the PARAFAC model. The separation of the samples by PCA highlighted the differences in the DOM properties. Components C1 and C3 concurrently displayed positive factor 1 loadings with nearly zero factor 2 loadings, while C2 showed highly positive factor 2 loadings. The C1 and C3 were very similar and exhibited a direct relationship with A355 and DOC. The CDOM in the pore water increased along the river to the coastal area, which was mainly influenced by C1 and C3 and was significantly derived from sediment remineralization and deposition from the inflow of the Yangtze River. The CDOM in the surface and bottom waters was dominated by C2, especially in the inflows of multiple tributaries that were affected by intensive anthropogenic activities. The microbial degradation of exogenous wastes from the tributary inputs and shoreside discharges were dominant sources of the CDOM in the surface and bottom waters. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Maximum sinking velocities of suspended particulate matter in a coastal transition zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maerz, Joeran; Hofmeister, Richard; van der Lee, Eefke M.; Gräwe, Ulf; Riethmüller, Rolf; Wirtz, Kai W.

2016-09-01

Marine coastal ecosystem functioning is crucially linked to the transport and fate of suspended particulate matter (SPM). Transport of SPM is controlled by, amongst other factors, sinking velocity ws. Since the ws of cohesive SPM aggregates varies significantly with size and composition of the mineral and organic origin, ws exhibits large spatial variability along gradients of turbulence, SPM concentration (SPMC) and SPM composition. In this study, we retrieved ws for the German Bight, North Sea, by combining measured vertical turbidity profiles with simulation results for turbulent eddy diffusivity. We analyzed ws with respect to modeled prevailing dissipation rates ɛ and found that mean ws were significantly enhanced around log10(ɛ (m2 s-3)) ≈ -5.5. This ɛ region is typically found at water depths of approximately 15 to 20 m along cross-shore transects. Across this zone, SPMC declines towards the offshore waters and a change in particle composition occurs. This characterizes a transition zone with potentially enhanced vertical fluxes. Our findings contribute to the conceptual understanding of nutrient cycling in the coastal region which is as follows. Previous studies identified an estuarine circulation. Its residual landward-oriented bottom currents are loaded with SPM, particularly within the transition zone. This retains and traps fine sediments and particulate-bound nutrients in coastal waters where organic components of SPM become remineralized. Residual surface currents transport dissolved nutrients offshore, where they are again consumed by phytoplankton. Algae excrete extracellular polymeric substances which are known to mediate mineral aggregation and thus sedimentation. This probably takes place particularly in the transition zone and completes the coastal nutrient cycle. The efficiency of the transition zone for retention is thus suggested as an important mechanism that underlies the often observed nutrient gradients towards the coast.

Comparative evaluation of remineralization potential of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride on artificial enamel white spot lesion: an in vitro light fluorescence study.

PubMed

Mehta, R; Nandlal, B; Prashanth, S

2013-01-01

World-wide, the contribution of dental caries to the burden of oral diseases is about 10 times higher than that of periodontal disease, the other common oral condition. Owing to its globally high prevalence, dental caries is a "pandemic" disease characterized by a high percentage of untreated carious cavities causing pain, discomfort and functional limitations. Untreated carious cavities; furthermore, have a significant impact on the general health of children and on the social and economic well-being of communities. A surgical approach to the elimination of carious lesion was developed a century ago; this approach was necessary at that time, because there was no valid alternative. The focus in caries has recently shifted to the development of methodologies for the detection of the early stages of caries lesions and the non-invasive treatment of these lesions. The non-invasive treatment of early lesions by remineralization has the potential to be a major advance in the clinical management of the disease. Remineralization of white-spot lesions may be possible with a variety of currently available agents containing fluoride, bioavailable calcium and phosphate and phosphate. This concept bridges the traditional gap between prevention and surgical procedures, which is just what dentistry needs today. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate and to compare the remineralization potential of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium fluoride phosphate (CPP-ACFP) on artificial white spot enamel lesions using the quantitative light fluorescence (QLF). A total of 45 caries-free extracted maxillary first premolars were embedded in acrylic resin. The samples were randomly divided into three groups namely control group, CPP-ACP group and CPP-ACFP group with 15 samples in each group. The samples of each group were subjected to demineralization process for a period of 96 h. The samples were then mounted in the artificial mouth model and subjected to remineralization and pH cycling for a period of 21 days. QLF readings were recorded at the end of demineralization (1st, 7th, 14th and 21st day) and were statistically analyzed. As compared with artificial saliva both CPP-ACP and CPP-ACFP produced significant amount of remineralization of the artificial enamel white spot lesion (P < 0.001), however when the remineralizing effect of CPP-ACP was compared with the remineralizing effect of CPP-ACFP there was no significant difference. Significant amount of remineralization was produced by CPP-ACP and CPP-ACFP only after the 7th day. After the 14th day, the remineralization produced by both CPP-ACP and CPP-ACFP as compared to artificial saliva was non-significant.

Bioactive glass for dentin remineralization: A systematic review.

PubMed

Fernando, Delihta; Attik, Nina; Pradelle-Plasse, Nelly; Jackson, Phil; Grosgogeat, Brigitte; Colon, Pierre

2017-07-01

Strategies to achieve dentin remineralization is at present an important target of restorative dentistry. Remineralization of dentin by a bioactive material is complete only when the tissue regains its functionality. This is achieved when there is adequate apatite formation which most importantly translates into improved mechanical properties of dentin as a result of intrafibrillar mineralization. Bioactive glass (BAG) is a well-known implant material for bone regeneration and is proven to have excellent ability of apatite formation. Hence, recent studies have proposed BAGs as one of the most desired materials for remineralization of dentin. Therefore the aim of this systematic review was to scope the evidence of bioactive glass to remineralize dentin. The following research question was formulated: "Is there strong evidence for bioactive glass to remineralize dentin?" Three databases (Web of science, PubMed and Science direct) were scanned independently following PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were set to identify relevant articles based on title and abstract screening. Finally, potentially relevant articles were downloaded and the full text was scrutinized to select the articles included in this review. The first phase of search returned 303 articles. A total of 19 papers with full text were scrutinized for inclusion, of which 3 papers were chosen for the final synthesis. All three studies confirm that BAG treatment leads to enhanced apatite formation in dentin. Only 1 of the 3 studies has reported the mechanical properties of dentin after BAG treatment and it revealed that the Young's modulus and flexural bend strength of BAG treated dentin were much lower than natural dentin even though they had similar apatite content. This review highlights the importance of assessing the mechanical properties of dentin alongside to the newly formed apatite content in order to prove BAGs efficiency to remineralize this tissue. Though studies have confirmed that BAGs stimulate excellent apatite formation in dentin, it should be concluded that there isn't sufficient evidence for bioactive glass to effectively remineralize this tissue as the mechanical properties of the BAG treated dentin haven't been well explored. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Remineralization efficacy of a toothpaste containing 8% arginine and calcium carbonate on enamel surface.

PubMed

Huang, Yajing; Duan, Yanxia; Qian, Yingzi; Huang, Rui; Yang, Zhengyan; Li, Yueheng; Zhou, Zhi

2013-10-01

To investigate the remineralization efficacy of different types of toothpastes on initial enamel lesions in vitro. Artificial initial lesions were created on 150 enamel discs from freshly extracted bovine incisors. These enamel discs were divided into five groups. The test treatment consisted of undiluted Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Toothpaste containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate and 1,450 ppm fluoride that was applied on the enamel surface under a pH-cycling including 4 x 3-minute application daily for 12 days and soaked in remineralizing solution during the untreated periods. The two other test products were commercial products: Crest Cavity Protection Toothpaste, containing 0.11% fluoride and GC Tooth Mousse, a professional remineralizing treatment paste (the active ingredients: casein phosphopeptide - amorphous calcium phosphate, fluoride). NaF solution (0.14% fluoride) was used as the positive control, while double distilled water (ddH2O) was used as the negative control. The remineralization of enamel discs was evaluated using Knoop hardness test, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and polarized light microscopy (PLM), and the caries lesion depth was quantified using an image analyzer. The data were analyzed by ANOVA. All test products showed a recovery of the Knoop Hardness Number (KHN) after remineralization cycling treatment. The recovery of enamel KHN for Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief, GC Mousse, Crest toothpasteand NaF groups were 44.53 +/- 6.72%, 35.00 +/- 7.83%, 24.56 +/- 5.95% and 42.51 +/- 6.74% respectively, while the recovery of negative control group was 18.99 +/- 4.98%. PLM results indicated the lesion depth recovery of 49.63 +/- 8.06%, 35.08 +/- 2.19%, 22.60 +/- 7.30% and 53.20 +/- 1.48% respectively, which were also significantly greater than that of the negative group (20.51 +/- 4.80%). CLSM analysis showed a reduction of average area, and total and average dye fluorescence of the lesions after treatment. The Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief group presented significantly greater remineralization than the other toothpaste groups, while the Crest toothpaste group showed the lowest remineralization ability.

Impacts of Colonial Deforestation on Sediment Organic Carbon Fluxes and Budget Using Black Carbon Chronology: Waiapu Continental Shelf, New Zealand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wadman, H. M.; Canuel, E. A.; Bauer, J. E.; McNinch, J. E.

2009-12-01

Small, mountainous rivers deliver a disproportionate amount of sediment and associated organic matter to coastal regions globally. The Waiapu River, North Island, New Zealand, is characterized by one of the highest sediment yields on earth, providing a model system for studying episodic delivery and preservation of sedimentary organic matter in an energetic, aggradational setting. Hyperpycnal plumes provide the primary mode of sediment delivery, depositing fine-grained sediment as flood layers on the inner shelf. Severe erosion following colonial-era (~1890-1920) slash and burn deforestation increased the sediment yield to the shelf 4- to 5-fold relative to previous levels. Colonial catchment-wide burning also produced black carbon (BC), which may be used to establish chronological control in the heterogeneous inner shelf sediments that are not easily dateable using traditional techniques. While recent work indicates that these inner shelf flood layers sequester ~16-34% of the total fine-grained sediment budget, comparable to the amount preserved on the mid-outer shelf, little is understood about the organic matter associated with these inner shelf sediments. High-resolution seismic reflection data were used to select four representative cores to characterize total sedimentary BC, total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) sequestered in the inner shelf fine-grained sediments. Soot and graphitic BC (SGBC) was quantified using chemo-thermal oxidation (CTO-375), while coarse-grained BC (CGBC) was quantified using traditional point-counting methodologies. SGBC weight percentages ranged from ~0.01-0.07, and peaked at ~150cm depth in all four cores. This interval corresponds to peak abundance of CGBC as well. The ~150cm interval is interpreted to represent the height of colonial slash and burn deforestation, and is further supported by fining-upward sequences in all of the cores as well as by multiple 14C dates. Overall, SGBC represented an average of 29% (range 7-75%) of the TOC throughout the cores, with the highest levels found in the deforestation layer at ~150cm (average 44%, range 30-75%). A secondary increase in % SGBC was found in the upper 50cm of the cores and is interpreted as increasing global BC production by diesel combustion in the 1970s. TOC and TN weight percentages associated with the fine-sediment fraction did not differ markedly above and below the deforestation layer. TOC and TN associated with the bulk sediment, however, did show increases in weight percent above ~150cm. This suggests that either 1) increases in fine-grained sedimentary organic material associated with the recent increase in sediment yield have been effectively remineralized, or 2) sedimentary organic matter is bimodal in origin (recent plant material vs. ancient, bedrock-derived carbon), and size-related variations in catchment and burial dynamics are influencing the fate of the different size fractions of organic material.

Nanotechnology strategies for antibacterial and remineralizing composites and adhesives to tackle dental caries.

PubMed

Cheng, Lei; Zhang, Ke; Weir, Michael D; Melo, Mary Anne S; Zhou, Xuedong; Xu, Hockin H K

2015-03-01

Dental caries is the most widespread disease and an economic burden. Nanotechnology is promising to inhibit caries by controlling biofilm acids and enhancing remineralization. Nanoparticles of silver were incorporated into composites/adhesives, along with quaternary ammonium methacrylates (QAMs), to combat biofilms. Nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP) released calcium/phosphate ions, remineralized tooth-lesions and neutralized acids. By combining nanoparticles of silver/QAM/NACP, a new class of composites and adhesives with antibacterial and remineralization double benefits was developed. Various other nanoparticles including metal and oxide nanoparticles such as ZnO and TiO2, as well as polyethylenimine nanoparticles and their antibacterial capabilities in dental resins were also reviewed. These nanoparticles are promising for incorporation into dental composites/cements/sealants/bases/liners/adhesives. Therefore, nanotechnology has potential to significantly improve restorative and preventive dentistry.

Nanotechnology strategies for antibacterial and remineralizing composites and adhesives to tackle dental caries

PubMed Central

Cheng, Lei; Zhang, Ke; Weir, Michael D; Melo, Mary Anne S; Zhou, Xuedong; Xu, Hockin HK

2015-01-01

Dental caries is the most widespread disease and an economic burden. Nanotechnology is promising to inhibit caries by controlling biofilm acids and enhancing remineralization. Nanoparticles of silver were incorporated into composites/adhesives, along with quaternary ammonium methacrylates (QAMs), to combat biofilms. Nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP) released calcium/phosphate ions, remineralized tooth-lesions and neutralized acids. By combining NAg/QAM/NACP, a new class of composites and adhesives with antibacterial and remineralization double benefits was developed. Various other nanoparticles including metal and oxide nanoparticles such as ZnO and TiO2, as well as polyethylenimine nanoparticles and their antibacterial capabilities in dental resins were also reviewed. These nanoparticles are promising for incorporation into dental composites/cements/sealants/bases/liners/adhesives. Therefore, nanotechnology has potential to significantly improve restorative and preventive dentistry. PMID:25723095

An in vitro study of silver and fluoride ions on remineralization of demineralized enamel and dentine.

PubMed

Zhi, Q H; Lo, E C M; Kwok, A C Y

2013-03-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of silver fluoride, silver nitrate and potassium fluoride on remineralization of demineralized enamel and dentine in vitro. Forty premolars were cut into cuboidal blocks. Acid-resistant varnish was painted onto each block to cover all surfaces, except two windows, one in enamel and one in dentine. The tooth blocks were placed in demineralizing solution for 96 hours. They were then randomly divided into four groups of 10 blocks each and immersed in solutions of AgF, AgNO(3), KF or water for 3 minutes. Afterwards, they were immersed in a remineralizing solution for 108 hours. Micro CT scanning was conducted before and after remineralization. The increase in linear attentuation coefficient (LAC) for the enamel lesions after remineralization was 1.08/cm, 0.95/cm, 0.86/cm and 0.60/cm in the AgF, AgNO(3), KF and control groups, respectively (ANOVA, p < 0.001; AgF, AgNO(3), KF > control; AgF > KF). The increase in LAC for the dentine lesions was 1.01/cm, 0.92/cm, 0.88/cm and 0.53/cm, respectively (ANOVA, p < 0.001; AgF, AgNO(3), KF > control). Topical application of silver or fluoride ions can increase the mineral density of demineralized enamel and dentine lesions during remineralization. The synergistic effect of silver and fluoride ions is relatively small. © 2013 Australian Dental Association.

Synchrotron radiation microbeam X-ray fluorescence analysis of zinc concentration in remineralized enamel in situ.

PubMed

Matsunaga, Tsunenori; Ishizaki, Hidetaka; Tanabe, Shuji; Hayashi, Yoshihiko

2009-05-01

Remineralization is an indispensable phenomenon during the natural healing process of enamel decay. The incorporation of zinc (Zn) into enamel crystal could accelerate this remineralization. The present study was designed to investigate the concentration and distribution of Zn in remineralized enamel after gum chewing. The experiment was performed at the Photon Factory. Synchrotron radiation was monochromatized and X-rays were focused into a small beam spot. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) from the sample was detected with a silicon (Si) (lithium (Li)) detector. X-ray beam energy was tuned to detect Zn. The examined samples were small enamel fragments remineralized after chewing calcium phosphate-containing gum in situ. The incorporation of Zn atom into hydroxyapatite (OHAP), the main component of enamel, was measured using Zn K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) with fluorescence mode at the SPring-8. A high concentration of Zn was detected in a superficial area 10-microm deep of the sectioned enamel after gum chewing. This concentration increased over that in the intact enamel. The atomic distance between Zn and O in the enamel was calculated using the EXAFS data. The analyzed atomic distances between Zn and O in two sections were 0.237 and 0.240 nm. The present experiments suggest that Zn is effectively incorporated into remineralized enamel through the physiological processes of mineral deposition in the oral cavity through gum-chewing and that Zn substitution probably occurred at the calcium position in enamel hydroxyapatite.

Investigation on the remineralization effect of arginine toothpaste for early enamel caries: nanotribological and nanomechanical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Ping; Arola, Dwayne D.; Min, Jie; Yu, Dandan; Xu, Zhou; Li, Zhi; Gao, Shanshan

2016-11-01

Remineralization is confirmed as a feasible method to restore early enamel caries. While there is evidence that the 8% arginine toothpaste has a good remineralization effect by increasing surface microhardness, the repair effect on wear-resistance and nanomechanical properties still remains unclear. Therefore, this research was conducted to reveal the nanotribological and nanomechanical properties changes of early caries enamel after remineralized with arginine toothpaste. Early enamel caries were created in bovine enamel blocks, and divided into three groups according to the treatment solutions: distilled and deionized water (DDW group), arginine toothpaste slurry (arginine group) and fluoride toothpaste slurry (fluoride group). All of the samples were subjected to pH cycling for 12 d. The nanotribological and nanomechanical properties were evaluated via the nanoscratch and nanoindentation tests. The wear depth and scratch morphology were observed respectively by scanning probe microscopic (SPM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used for element analysis of remineralized surfaces. Results showed that the wear depth of early caries enamel decreased after remineralization treatment and both the nanohardness and elastic modulus increased. Compared with the fluoride group, the arginine group exhibited higher nanohardness and elastic modulus with higher levels of calcium, fluoride, nitrogen and phosphorus; this group also underwent less wear and related damage. Overall, the synergistic effect of arginine and fluoride in arginine toothpaste achieves better nanotribological and nanomechanical properties than the single fluoride toothpaste, which could have significant impact on fight against early enamel caries.

Modeling the effects of free-living marine bacterial community composition on heterotrophic remineralization rates and biogeochemical carbon cycling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teel, E.; Liu, X.; Cram, J. A.; Sachdeva, R.; Fuhrman, J. A.; Levine, N. M.

2016-12-01

Global oceanic ecosystem models either disregard fluctuations in heterotrophic bacterial remineralization or vary remineralization as a simple function of temperature, available carbon, and nutrient limitation. Most of these models were developed before molecular techniques allowed for the description of microbial community composition and functional diversity. Here we investigate the impact of a dynamic heterotrophic community and variable remineralization rates on biogeochemical cycling. Specifically, we integrated variable microbial remineralization into an ecosystem model by utilizing molecular community composition data, association network analysis, and biogeochemical rate data from the San Pedro Ocean Time-series (SPOT) station. Fluctuations in free-living bacterial community function and composition were examined using monthly environmental and biological data collected at SPOT between 2000 and 2011. On average, the bacterial community showed predictable seasonal changes in community composition and peaked in abundance in the spring with a one-month lag from peak chlorophyll concentrations. Bacterial growth efficiency (BGE), estimated from bacterial production, was found to vary widely at the site (5% to 40%). In a multivariate analysis, 47.6% of BGE variability was predicted using primary production, bacterial community composition, and temperature. A classic Nutrient-Phytoplankton-Zooplankton-Detritus model was expanded to include a heterotroph module that captured the observed relationships at the SPOT site. Results show that the inclusion of dynamic bacterial remineralization into larger oceanic ecosystem models can significantly impact microzooplankton grazing, the duration of surface phytoplankton blooms, and picophytoplankton primary production rates.

Remineralization potential of nano-hydroxyapatite on enamel and cementum surrounding margin of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing ceramic restoration

PubMed Central

Juntavee, Niwut; Juntavee, Apa; Plongniras, Preeyarat

2018-01-01

Objective This study investigates the effects of nano-hydroxyapatite (NHA) gel and Clinpro (CP) on remineralization potential of enamel and cementum at the cavosurface area of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing ceramic restoration. Materials and methods Thirty extracted human mandibular third molars were sectioned at 1 mm above and below the cemento–enamel junction to remove the cemento–enamel junction portions and replaced them with zirconia ceramic disks by bonding them to the crown and root portions with resin cement. The enamel and cementum with an area of 4×4 mm2 surrounding the ceramic disk was demineralized with carbopol. The demineralized surfaces were treated with either NHA or CP, while 1 group was left with no treatment. Vickers microhardness of enamel and cementum were determined before demineralization, after demineralization, and after remineralization. Analysis of variance and Tukey multiple comparisons were used to determine statistically significant differences at 95% level of confidence. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to evaluate for surface alterations. Results The mean ± SD of Vickers microhardness for before demineralization, after demineralization, and after remineralization for enamel and cementum were 377.37±22.99, 161.95±10.54, 161.70±5.92 and 60.37±3.81, 17.65±0.91, 17.04±1.00 for the no treatment group; 378.20±18.76, 160.72±8.38, 200.08±8.29 and 62.58±3.37, 18.38±1.33, 27.99±2.68 for the NHA groups; and 380.53±25.14, 161.94±5.66, 193.16±7.54 and 62.78±4.75, 19.07±1.30, 24.46±2.02 for the CP groups. Analysis of variance indicated significant increase in microhardness of demineralized enamel and cementum upon the application of either NHA or CP (p<0.05). Post hoc multiple comparisons indicated significantly higher remineralization capability of NHA for both enamel and cementum than CP (p<0.05), as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy, indicating NHA particle deposition in the area of remineralization, and crystallinity accumulation, as indicated by X-ray diffraction. Conclusion NHA gel and CP were capable of remineralization of the enamel and cementum. NHA was more capable in the remineralization process than CP. NHA was extremely capable in the remineralization process for enamel and cementum surrounding the margin of the computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing ceramic. PMID:29780246

In vitro remineralization of hybrid layers using biomimetic analogs*

PubMed Central

Lin, Hui-ping; Lin, Jun; Li, Juan; Xu, Jing-hong; Mehl, Christian

2016-01-01

Resin-dentin bond degradation is a major cause of restoration failures. The major aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of a remineralization medium on collagen matrices of hybrid layers of three different adhesive resins using nanotechnology methods. Coronal dentin surfaces were prepared from freshly extracted premolars and bonded to composite resin using three adhesive resins (FluoroBond II, Xeno-III-Bond, and iBond). From each tooth, two central slabs were selected for the study. The slabs used as controls were immersed in a simulated body fluid (SBF). The experimental slabs were immersed in a Portland cement-based remineralization medium that contained two biomimetic analogs (biomineralization medium (BRM)). Eight slabs per group were retrieved after 1, 2, 3, and 4 months, respectively and immersed in Rhodamine B for 24 h. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to evaluate the permeability of hybrid layers to Rhodamine B. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s honest significant difference (HSD) tests. After four months, all BRM specimens exhibited a significantly smaller fluorescent area than SBF specimens, indicating a remineralization of the hybrid layer (P≤0.05). A clinically applicable biomimetic remineralization delivery system could potentially slow down bond degradation. PMID:27819133

In vitro remineralization of hybrid layers using biomimetic analogs.

PubMed

Lin, Hui-Ping; Lin, Jun; Li, Juan; Xu, Jing-Hong; Mehl, Christian

Resin-dentin bond degradation is a major cause of restoration failures. The major aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of a remineralization medium on collagen matrices of hybrid layers of three different adhesive resins using nanotechnology methods. Coronal dentin surfaces were prepared from freshly extracted premolars and bonded to composite resin using three adhesive resins (FluoroBond II, Xeno-III-Bond, and iBond). From each tooth, two central slabs were selected for the study. The slabs used as controls were immersed in a simulated body fluid (SBF). The experimental slabs were immersed in a Portland cement-based remineralization medium that contained two biomimetic analogs (biomineralization medium (BRM)). Eight slabs per group were retrieved after 1, 2, 3, and 4 months, respectively and immersed in Rhodamine B for 24 h. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to evaluate the permeability of hybrid layers to Rhodamine B. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's honest significant difference (HSD) tests. After four months, all BRM specimens exhibited a significantly smaller fluorescent area than SBF specimens, indicating a remineralization of the hybrid layer (P≤0.05). A clinically applicable biomimetic remineralization delivery system could potentially slow down bond degradation.

Quantitative examination of demineralized and remineralized dental lesions using photothermal radiometry and modulated luminescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hellen, Adam; Mandelis, Andreas; Finer, Yoav; Amaechi, Bennett

2010-02-01

The development of photothermal techniques to detect thermal waves in biological tissue has occurred with a concomitant advancement in the extraction of material thermophysical properties and knowledge regarding the internal structure of a medium. Human molars (n=37) were subjected to demineralization in acid gel (pH 4.5, 10 days), followed by incubation in different fluoride-containing remineralization solutions. PTR-LUM frequency scans (1 Hz - 1 kHz) were performed prior to and during demineralization and remineralization treatments. Transverse Micro-Radiography (TMR) analysis followed at treatment conclusion. A coupled diffuse-photon-density-wave and thermal-wave theoretical model was used to quantitatively evaluate changes in thermal and optical properties of sound, demineralized and remineralized enamel. Amplitude increase and phase lag decrease in demineralized samples were consistent with higher scatter of the diffuse-photon density field and thermal wave confinement to near-surface regions. A remineralized sample illustrates a complex interplay between surface and subsurface processes, confining the thermal-wave centroid toward the dominating layer. PTR-LUM sensitivity to changes in tooth mineralization coupled with optical and thermal property extraction illustrates the technique's potential for non-destructive evaluation of multi-layered turbid media.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dehairs, F.; Jacquet, S.; Savoye, N.

This study focuses on the fate of exported organic carbon in the twilight zone at two contrasting environments in the North Pacific: the oligotrophic ALOHA site (22 degrees 45 minutes N 158 degrees W; Hawaii; studied during June-July 2004) and the mesotrophic Subarctic Pacific K2 site (47 degrees N, 161 degrees W; studied during July-August 2005). Earlier work has shown that non-lithogenic, excess particulate Ba (Ba{sub xs}) in the mesopelagic water column is a potential proxy of organic carbon remineralization. In general Ba{sub xs} contents were significantly larger at K2 than at ALOHA. At ALOHA the Ba{sub xs} profiles frommore » repeated sampling (5 casts) showed remarkable consistency over a period of three weeks, suggesting that the system was close to being at steady state. In contrast, more variability was observed at K2 (6 casts sampled) reflecting the more dynamic physical and biological conditions prevailing in this environment. While for both sites Ba{sub xs} concentrations increased with depth, at K2 a clear maximum was present between the base of the mixed layer at around 50m and 500m, reflecting production and release of Ba{sub xs}. Larger mesopelagic Ba{sub xs} contents and larger bacterial production in the twilight zone at the K2 site indicate that more material was exported from the upper mixed layer for bacterial degradation deeper, compared to the ALOHA site. Furthermore, application of a published transfer function (Dehairs et al., 1997) relating oxygen consumption to the observed Ba{sub xs} data indicated that the latter were in good agreement with bacterial respiration, calculated from bacterial production. These results corroborate earlier findings highlighting the potential of Ba{sub xs} as a proxy for organic carbon remineralization. The range of POC remineralization rates calculated from twilight zone excess particulate Ba contents did also compare well with the depth dependent POC flux decrease as recorded by neutrally buoyant sediment traps, except in 1 case (out of 4). This discrepancy could indicate that differences in sinking velocities cause an« less

The role of protease inhibitors on the remineralization of demineralized dentin using the PILP method.

PubMed

Nurrohman, Hamid; Carneiro, Karina M M; Hellgeth, John; Saeki, Kuniko; Marshall, Sally J; Marshall, Grayson W; Habelitz, Stefan

2017-01-01

Mineralized and sound dentin matrices contain inactive preforms of proteolytic enzymes that may be activated during the demineralization cycle. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that protease inhibitors (PI) preserve demineralized collagen fibrils and other constituents of the dentin matrix and thereby affect the potential for remineralization. Artificial carious lesions with lesion depths of 140 μm were created with acetate buffer (pH = 5.0, 66 hours), and remineralized using a polymer-induced-liquid-precursor (PILP) process (pH = 7.4, 14 days) containing poly(aspartic acid) (pAsp) as the process-directing agent. De- and remineralizing procedures were performed in the presence or absence of PI. Ultrastructure and mechanical recovery of demineralized dentin following PILP remineralization were examined and measured in water with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nanoindentation. Nanomechanical properties of hydrated artificial lesions had a low elastic modulus (ER <0.4 GPa) extending about 100 μm into the lesion, followed by a sloped region of about 140 μm depth where values reached those of normal dentin (18.0-20.0 GPa). Mapping of mineral content by both micro-FTIR and micro x-ray computed tomography correlated well with modulus profiles obtained by nanoindentation. Tissue demineralized in the presence of PI exhibited higher elastic moduli (average 2.8 GPa) across the lesion and comprised a narrow zone in the outer lesion with strongly increased modulus (up to 8 GPa; p < 0.05), which might be related to the preservation of non-collagenous proteins that appear to induce calcium phosphate mineral formation even under demineralizing physical-chemical conditions. However, mechanical aspects of remineralization through the elastic modulus change, and the micromorphological aspects with SEM and TEM observation were almost identical with PILP treatments being conducted in the presence or absence of PI. Thus, the application of the protease inhibitors (PI) seemed to be less effective in promoting the remineralization of demineralized dentin.

Remineralization ability of sodium fluoride on the microhardness of enamel, dentin, and dentinoenamel junction: An in vitro study

PubMed Central

Sivapriya, Elangovan; Sridevi, Krishnamoorthy; Periasamy, Ravishankar; Lakshminarayanan, Lakshmikanthanbharathi; Pradeepkumar, Angambakkam Rajasekaran

2017-01-01

Aim: Dental tissues such as enamel, dentinoenamel junction (DEJ), dentin, and root dentin can react differently to demineralization and remineralization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the remineralization ability of sodium fluoride on the microhardness of enamel, dentin, and dentinoenamel junction. Materials and Methods: Ten extracted third molar teeth were sectioned mesiodistally to form control and test groups. For the test group, initial demineralization was done with acetic acid for 24 h followed by remineralization for 28 days by application of sodium fluoride (226 ppm) for 2 min twice a day. Vickers microhardness test was done to control and test groups at different sites after initial demineralization and on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th, and 28th day of remineralization. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and post hoc test with a significance level of P < 0.001 with SPSS (21) software. Results: Microhardness values in the demineralization group were significantly lower than controls (P < 0.001). Evaluation of remineralization samples showed that microhardness similar to control values were achieved at the 3rd day in root predentin and on the 5th day in coronal dentin and coronal predentin. On the 7th day, remineralization coronal predentin was significantly higher than the control (P < 0.001). On the 14th day, DEJ axial zone and root dentin were similar to control and coronal dentin was significantly higher than the control (P < 0.001). Enamel was similar to control on the 28th day. Microhardness of DEJ-cusp tip and DEJ-center of the fissure was significantly lower than control even at the 28th day (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Long-term repeated application of sodium fluoride (226 ppm) can improve the microhardness of demineralized dental tissues on enamel, dentin, and DEJ-axial zone, except in the DEJ-cusp tip and DEJ-center of fissure. PMID:28855756

A Randomized in situ Clinical Study of Fluoride Dentifrices on Enamel Remineralization and Resistance to Demineralization: Effects of Zinc.

PubMed

Creeth, Jonathan E; Karwal, Ritu; Hara, Anderson T; Zero, Domenick T

2018-01-01

This study aimed to determine the effect of zinc ions and F concentration in a dentifrice on remineralization of early caries lesions in situ and on resistance to subsequent demineralization. This was a single-center, 6-period, 6-product, blinded (examiner, subject, analyst), randomized (n = 62), crossover study. Products (all NaF) were: 0, 250, 1,150 and 1,426 ppm F (dose-response controls), "Zn-A" (0.3% ZnCl2, 1,426 ppm F), and "Zn-B" (as Zn-A, with high-foaming surfactants) in a conventional silica base. Subjects wore palatal appliances holding partially demineralized bovine enamel specimens. They brushed their teeth with 1.5 g test dentifrice (25 s), then swished the slurry ensuring even exposure of specimens (95 s), expectorated, and rinsed (15 mL water, 10 s). After 4 h intraoral remineralization, specimens were removed and acid-challenged in vitro. Surface microhardness (SMH), measured pre-experimental, post-initial acid exposure, post-remineralization, and post-second acid exposure, was used to calculate recovery (SMHR), net acid resistance (NAR), and a new, specifically demineralization-focused calculation, "comparative acid resistance" (CAR). Enamel fluoride uptake (EFU) was also measured. For the F dose-response controls, all measures showed significant relationships with dentifrice F concentration (p < 0.0001). The presence of zinc counteracted the ability of F to promote remineralization in this model. Compared to the 1,426 ppm F control, the zinc formulations gave reduced SMHR, EFU, and NAR (all p < 0.0001); however, they showed evidence of increased CAR (Zn-A: p = 0.0040; Zn-B: p = 0.0846). Products were generally well tolerated. In this study, increasing dentifrice F concentration progressively increased in situ remineralization and demineralization resistance of early caries enamel lesions. Zinc ions reduced remineralization but could increase demineralization resistance. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The role of protease inhibitors on the remineralization of demineralized dentin using the PILP method

PubMed Central

Nurrohman, Hamid; Carneiro, Karina M. M.; Hellgeth, John; Saeki, Kuniko; Marshall, Sally J.; Marshall, Grayson W.

2017-01-01

Mineralized and sound dentin matrices contain inactive preforms of proteolytic enzymes that may be activated during the demineralization cycle. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that protease inhibitors (PI) preserve demineralized collagen fibrils and other constituents of the dentin matrix and thereby affect the potential for remineralization. Artificial carious lesions with lesion depths of 140 μm were created with acetate buffer (pH = 5.0, 66 hours), and remineralized using a polymer-induced-liquid-precursor (PILP) process (pH = 7.4, 14 days) containing poly(aspartic acid) (pAsp) as the process-directing agent. De- and remineralizing procedures were performed in the presence or absence of PI. Ultrastructure and mechanical recovery of demineralized dentin following PILP remineralization were examined and measured in water with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nanoindentation. Nanomechanical properties of hydrated artificial lesions had a low elastic modulus (ER <0.4 GPa) extending about 100 μm into the lesion, followed by a sloped region of about 140 μm depth where values reached those of normal dentin (18.0–20.0 GPa). Mapping of mineral content by both micro-FTIR and micro x-ray computed tomography correlated well with modulus profiles obtained by nanoindentation. Tissue demineralized in the presence of PI exhibited higher elastic moduli (average 2.8 GPa) across the lesion and comprised a narrow zone in the outer lesion with strongly increased modulus (up to 8 GPa; p < 0.05), which might be related to the preservation of non-collagenous proteins that appear to induce calcium phosphate mineral formation even under demineralizing physical-chemical conditions. However, mechanical aspects of remineralization through the elastic modulus change, and the micromorphological aspects with SEM and TEM observation were almost identical with PILP treatments being conducted in the presence or absence of PI. Thus, the application of the protease inhibitors (PI) seemed to be less effective in promoting the remineralization of demineralized dentin. PMID:29182665

The role of glass ionomer cement on the remineralization of infected dentin: an in vivo study.

PubMed

Kuhn, Eunice; Chibinski, Ana Claudia Rodrigues; Reis, Alessandra; Wambier, Denise Stadler

2014-01-01

This study's purpose was to investigate the effect of a glass ionomer cement as a liner over infected unexcavated dentin after 60 days and at 10 to 15 months. Forty-five permanent molars with deep carious lesions were selected. Fragments of carious dentin were removed prior to lining the cavity (baseline sample) with glass ionomer cement (G1) or an inert wax material (G2). Cavities were restored with composite resin and reopened 60 days later, when other fragments were removed (60-day sample). The dentin morphology (scanning electron microscopy) and mineral content of calcium, phosphorus, and fluorine were assessed. During the follow-up periods (60 days and 10 to 15 months), restorations were evaluated and standardized radiographs were taken. A postprocessing routine was used to identify changes in the radiographic density between periods. After 60 days, the dentin exhibited a better organization, fewer bacteria, and signs of remineralization. The weight percents of calcium and phosphorus were higher 60 days after the cavity sealing, regardless of the group. Higher gray levels of carious and sound dentin were seen on the 10- to 15-month radiographs, irrespective of the group. The success rates of G1 and G2 were 89 percent and 88 percent, respectively. The lining material isn't fundamental for caries arrestment. Early (60-day) and late (10 to 15 months) dentin changes occurred, indicating the remineralization of dentin carious tissue.

The efficacy of techniques for the disinfection of artificial sub-surface dentinal caries lesions and their effect on demineralization and remineralization in vitro.

PubMed

Preston, K P; Higham, S M; Smith, P W

2007-06-01

The efficacy of three techniques for the disinfection of artificial sub-surface root caries lesions and their response to subsequent episodes of de- and remineralization was investigated quantitatively in vitro. Sub-surface dentinal lesions (n=20), cut into four experimental blocks and deliberately contaminated with Streptococcus mutans, were subject to either steam autoclaving (121 degrees C, 5min), gamma irradiation (4100Gy), immersion in 0.1% (w/v) thymol-distilled water solution (24h) or reserved as a control. Next, the lesions were incubated aerobically in sterile nutrient broth for 24h at 37 degrees C and resultant cultures plated onto blood agar and neutralisation agar. Ten blocks from each experimental group were then immersed in an acidic buffer solution or exposed to artificial saliva for 5 days. Baseline changes in the mineral content and distribution of the lesions were assessed by transverse microradiography (TMR). Micro-organisms were recovered from each control block and one block treated by gamma irradiation. Steam autoclaving and immersion in a thymol solution significantly decreased (p<0.05) the amount of mineral lost from the body of lesions subject to a further acid challenge. Mineral ion uptake by lesions exposed to artificial saliva was significantly increased (p<0.05) through disinfection by steam autoclaving. Gamma irradiation proved the most acceptable method for the disinfection of sub-surface root dentine lesions having the least adverse effect on demineralization and remineralization.

Remineralization of initial enamel caries in vitro using a novel peptide based on amelogenin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Danxue; Lv, Xueping; Tu, Huanxin; Zhou, Xuedong; Yu, Haiyang; Zhang, Linglin

2015-09-01

Dental caries is the most common oral disease with high incidence, widely spread and can seriously affect the health of oral cavity and the whole body. Current caries prevention measures such as fluoride treatment, antimicrobial agents, and traditional Chinese herbal, have limitations to some extent. Here we design and synthesize a novel peptide based on the amelogenin, and assess its ability to promote the remineralization of initial enamel caries lesions. We used enamel blocks to form initial lesions, and then subjected to 12-day pH cycling in the presence of peptide, NaF and HEPES buffer. Enamel treated with peptide or NaF had shallower, narrower lesions, thicker remineralized surfaces and less mineral loss than enamel treated with HEPES. This peptide can promote the remineralization of initial enamel caries and inhibit the progress of caries. It is a promising anti-caries agent with various research prospects and practical application value.

A simple model for remineralization of subsurface lesions in tooth enamel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christoffersen, J.; Christoffersen, M. R.; Arends, J.

1982-12-01

A model for remineralization of subsurface lesions in tooth enamel is presented. The important assumption on which the model is based is that the rate-controlling process is the crystal surface process by which ions are incorporated in the crystallites; that is, the transport of ions through small holes in the so-called intact surface layer does not influence the rate of mineral uptake at the crystal surface. Further, the density of mineral in the lesion is assumed to increase down the lesion, when the remineralization process is started. It is shown that the dimension of the initial holes in the enamel surface layer must be larger than the dimension of the individual crystallites in order to prevent the formation of arrested lesions. Theoretical expressions for the progress of remineralization are given. The suggested model emphasizes the need for measurements of mineral densities in the lesion, prior to, and during the lesion repair.

Remineralization of root caries monitored using cross polarization optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Darling, Cynthia L.; Staninec, Michal; Chan, Kenneth H.; Kang, Hobin; Fried, Daniel

2012-01-01

Previous studies have demonstrated that polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) can be used to image caries lesions in dentin, measure nondestructively the severity of dentin demineralization, and determine the efficacy of intervention with anticaries agents including fluoride and lasers. However, those studies were limited to artificial lesions on dentin and roots surfaces. The objective of this study is to determine if a cross polarization OCT system (CP-OCT) can be used to nondestructively measure a reduction in the reflectivity of natural root caries lesions after exposure to a remineralization solution. CPOCT images of 11 teeth with existing root lesions were acquired before and after exposure to a remineralizing solution for 20 days. The integrated reflectivity was calculated after integrating to a fixed depth of 200-μm. There was a significant decrease in the integrated reflectivity after exposure to the remineralizing solution.

Effects of regular and whitening dentifrices on remineralization of bovine enamel in vitro.

PubMed

Kielbassa, Andrej M; Tschoppe, Peter; Hellwig, Elmar; Wrbas, Karl-Thomas

2009-02-01

To compare in vitro the remineralizing effects of different regular dentifrices and whitening dentifrices (containing pyrophosphates) on predemineralized enamel. Specimens from 84 bovine incisors were embedded in epoxy resin, partly covered with nail varnish, and demineralized in a lactic acid solution (37 degrees C, pH 5.0, 8 days). Parts of the demineralized areas were covered with nail varnish, and specimens were randomly assigned to 6 groups. Subsequently, specimens were exposed to a remineralizing solution (37 degrees C, pH 7.0, 60 days) and brushed 3 times a day (1:3 slurry with remineralizing solution) with 1 of 3 regular dentifrices designed for anticaries (group 1, amine; group 2, sodium fluoride) or periodontal (group 3, amine/stannous fluoride) purposes or whitening dentifrice containing pyrophosphates (group 4, sodium fluoride). An experimental dentifrice (group 5, without pyrophosphates/fluorides) and a whitening dentifrice (group 6, monofluorophosphate) served as controls. Mineral loss and lesion depths were evaluated from contact microradiographs, and intergroup comparisons were performed using the closed-test procedure (alpha =.05). Compared to baseline, specimens brushed with the dentifrices containing stannous/amine fluorides revealed significant mineral gains and lesion depth reductions (P < .05). Concerning the reacquired mineral, the whitening dentifrice performed worse than the regular dentifrices (P > .05), while mineral gain, as well as lesion depth, reduction was negligible with the control groups. Dentifrices containing pyrophosphates perform worse than regular dentifrices but do not necessarily affect remineralization. Unless remineralizing efficacy is proven, whitening dentifrices should be recommended only after deliberate consideration in caries-prone patients.

Comparing two quantitative methods for studying remineralization of artificial caries.

PubMed

Lo, E C M; Zhi, Q H; Itthagarun, A

2010-04-01

To compare the detection of changes before and after remineralization of artificial enamel and dentin caries by microCT scanning, polarized light microscopy (PLM) and transverse microradiography (TMR). Fourteen extracted premolars were cut into tooth blocks and painted with an acid-resistant varnish leaving one enamel and one dentin surface exposed. The tooth blocks were immersed into demineralizing solution for 4 days to produce artificial caries-like lesions and scanned by microCT. Then the 14 tooth blocks were randomly allocated into two groups. Seven tooth blocks in Group I were cut longitudinally through the exposed surface into 100-150 microm thick sections and microradiographs were taken. The other seven tooth blocks in Group II were left intact. All the tooth blocks and sections were then immersed into remineralizing solution for 5 days. PLM and TMR of the tooth sections in Group I were taken again. Depth of the lesion on the TMR was measured. Tooth blocks in Group II were scanned by microCT. Mean lesion depth in Group I reduced by 13.0% and 8.2% after remineralization for enamel and dentin, respectively (paired t-test, P<0.001). In Group II, linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) of the region of interest (ROI) increased by 11.1% and 23.8% after remineralization for enamel and dentin lesions, respectively (paired t-test, P<0.001). Both microCT and microradiography are able to detect a change of similar magnitude in the artificial caries lesions after remineralization. MicroCT may be used to substitute TMR and PLM in in vitro studies about caries. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Archaeal Diversity Associated with Deep Sea Whalefalls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilpiszeski, R.; Goffredi, S.; Turk, K.; Vrijenhoek, R.; House, C. H.; Orphan, V.

2005-12-01

Deep sea whale fall sites support a diverse population of organisms in an otherwise sparsely populated environment. While the macro- and megafauna of these ecosystems have been investigated in some detail, less is known about the nature of associated microbial populations. 16S rRNA gene surveys were used to evaluate the diversity of Archaea in the sediment below one such whale fall at 2800 m water depth and at a nearby control site. A variety of Archaea were identified, including diverse uncultured marine crenarchaeota, phylotypes related to hydrogenotrophic methanogens (Methanogenium spp.), and methylotrophic methanogens associated with the Methanococcoides. No methanogens were discovered at the control site, while hydrogenotrophic methanogens accounted for approximately 20% of the samples from surface sediments below the whale and 35% of the Archaea identified from 12.5 to 15 cm below the whale; the single methylotrophic methanogen was identified within the 12.5 to 15 cm depth sample. The presence of methanogenic phylotypes associated with the whale fall corroborates geochemical observations of elevated methane concentrations observed in the shallow sediments directly beneath the whale fall. This combined geochemical and microbiological evidence suggests that near surface organic matter remineralization is occurring via a methanogenic pathway within this deep sea whale fall habitat rather than the typical sulfidogenic dominated diagenesis commonly observed at other whale fall locations and within shallow marine sediments worldwide.

Global oceanic emission of ammonia: Constraints from seawater and atmospheric observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paulot, F.; Jacob, D. J.; Johnson, M. T.; Bell, T. G.; Baker, A. R.; Keene, W. C.; Lima, I. D.; Doney, S. C.; Stock, C. A.

2015-08-01

Current global inventories of ammonia emissions identify the ocean as the largest natural source. This source depends on seawater pH, temperature, and the concentration of total seawater ammonia (NHx(sw)), which reflects a balance between remineralization of organic matter, uptake by plankton, and nitrification. Here we compare [NHx(sw)] from two global ocean biogeochemical models (BEC and COBALT) against extensive ocean observations. Simulated [NHx(sw)] are generally biased high. Improved simulation can be achieved in COBALT by increasing the plankton affinity for NHx within observed ranges. The resulting global ocean emissions is 2.5 TgN a-1, much lower than current literature values (7-23 TgN a-1), including the widely used Global Emissions InitiAtive (GEIA) inventory (8 TgN a-1). Such a weak ocean source implies that continental sources contribute more than half of atmospheric NHx over most of the ocean in the Northern Hemisphere. Ammonia emitted from oceanic sources is insufficient to neutralize sulfate aerosol acidity, consistent with observations. There is evidence over the Equatorial Pacific for a missing source of atmospheric ammonia that could be due to photolysis of marine organic nitrogen at the ocean surface or in the atmosphere. Accommodating this possible missing source yields a global ocean emission of ammonia in the range 2-5 TgN a-1, comparable in magnitude to other natural sources from open fires and soils.

Early diagenesis of recently deposited organic matter: a 9-yr time-series study of a flood deposit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tesi, T.; Goñi, M. A.; Langone, L.; Wheatcroft, R. A.; Miserocchi, S.; Bertotti, L.

2012-04-01

Because the preservation of organic carbon (OC) in river-dominated margins accounts for a significant fraction of OC burial in the ocean, biochemical studies must find novel ways to explicitly address the non-steadiness of these settings. In this study, we approached this issue by collecting event-beds soon after their emplacement (event-response sampling) and following their evolution with time (time-series analysis). In Fall 2000, the Po River (Italy) experienced a 100-yr return period flood that resulted in a thick deposit in the adjacent prodelta. Cores collected in the central prodelta after the flood event and over the following 9 years (8 sediment cores), allowed characterization of the event-strata in their initial state and documentation of their subsequent evolution. The characterization of sedimentary organic matter (OM) collected soon after the flood deposit emplacement and the description of its subsequent evolution with time provided extraordinary opportunity to investigate the reactivity of OM on a 9-yr time scale. Our analysis included the evaluation of the whole spectrum of CuO reaction products such as lignin phenols, p-hydroxy benzenes, benzoic acids, cutin-derived products, dicarboxylic acids, and fatty acids, as well as bulk organic carbon, nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes. Sedimentological characteristics were investigated using x-radiographs and sediment texture analyses whereas the evolution of sedimentary OM was evaluated via inventories of bulk elements and biomarkers. Remineralization of organic nitrogen and organic carbon occurred at similar rates (% change ~-17%) indicating that the overall elemental composition of sedimentary OM remained stable with time. This steadiness was confirmed by lack of temporal changes of the OC/TN ratio. Despite the steady OC/TN ratio, changes in δ13C revealed preferential loss of isotopically enriched organic material. Biomarker inventories indicated selective degradation during diagenesis, consistent with the reactivity spectrum observed in laboratory and field studies (% change from -~9 to -~60%). Among terrigenous biomarkers, lignin phenols were better preserved than hydroxy fatty acids derived from plant cuticles (% change ~-10 vs ~-50 %, respectively). Aromatic CuO reaction products, such as benzoic acids and p-hydroxy benzenes, were better preserved than lipid-derived biomarkers, especially for those compounds having a terrestrially-derived source. The largest part of dicarboxylic acids was derived from plant cuticles and exhibited reactivities coherent with cutin-derived products (% change ~-50%).

Drivers of the Seasonal Carbon Cycle in the Coastal Gulf of Alaska

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pilcher, D.; Siedlecki, S. A.; Hermann, A. J.; Coyle, K. O.; Mathis, J. T.

2016-02-01

The Coastal Gulf of Alaska serves as a significant carbon sink annually, but varies seasonally from net carbon efflux in winter, to net carbon uptake from spring through fall. This significant uptake of anthropogenic CO2 combined with the naturally cold, low calcium carbonate surface waters is expected to accelerate ocean acidification. Observational evidence has already detected subsurface aragonite undersaturation, likely resulting from carbon remineralization of sinking organic matter. Other processes such as storm-induced vertical mixing, glacial runoff, temperature change, and nutrient supply can further modify the carbon cycle. Improving knowledge of these seasonal processes is critical for the region's fisheries that provide substantial ecosystem services and can be adversely impacted by sub-optimal aragonite saturation conditions. We use a regional model of the Coastal Gulf of Alaska coupled to an ecosystem model with full carbonate chemistry to investigate the physical and biogeochemical mechanisms that drive the seasonal carbon cycle. Boundary conditions are set from the coarser Northeast Pacific model, with alkalinity and carbon concentrations determined from empirical relationships with salinity. Model output from a 2009 hindcast simulation is compared to observations of alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations for model verification and to elucidate seasonal mechanisms.

Remineralization Property of an Orthodontic Primer Containing a Bioactive Glass with Silver and Zinc

PubMed Central

Lee, Seung-Min; Kim, In-Ryoung; Park, Bong-Soo; Ko, Ching-Chang; Son, Woo-Sung; Kim, Yong-Il

2017-01-01

White spot lesions (WSLs) are irreversible damages in orthodontic treatment due to excessive etching or demineralization by microorganisms. In this study, we conducted a mechanical and cell viability test to examine the antibacterial properties of 0.2% and 1% bioactive glass (BAG) and silver-doped and zinc-doped BAGs in a primer and evaluated their clinical applicability to prevent WSLs. The microhardness statistically significantly increased in the adhesive-containing BAG, while the other samples showed no statistically significant difference compared with the control group. The shear bond strength of all samples increased compared with that of the control group. The cell viability of the control and sample groups was similar within 24 h, but decreased slightly over 48 h. All samples showed antibacterial properties. Regarding remineralization property, the group containing 0.2% of the samples showed remineralization properties compared with the control group, but was not statistically significant; further, the group containing 1% of the samples showed a significant difference compared with the control group. Among them, the orthodontic bonding primer containing 1% silver-doped BAG showed the highest remineralization property. The new orthodontic bonding primer used in this study showed an antimicrobial effect, chemical remineralization effect, and WSL prevention as well as clinically applicable properties, both physically and biologically. PMID:29088092

Effects of Remineralization Agents on Artificial Carious Lesions.

PubMed

Savas, Selcuk; Kucukyilmaz, Ebru; Celik, Esra Uzer

2016-11-15

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the remineralization potentials of different agents on demineralized enamel surfaces. Four hundred and sixty extracted human molars with artificial carious lesions were divided into six groups: (1) control; (2) acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF); (3) Curodont Repair (CR); (4) silver diamine fluoride (SDF); (5) ammonium hexafluorosilicate (SiF); and (6) SiF plus cetylpiridinium chloride (SiF+CPC). They were subdivided according to immersion periods (seven out of 30 days). After demineralization and remineralization procedures, microhardness test (VHN), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis, and confocal laser scanning microscopy evaluation were performed. The data were statistically analyzed. By the 30-day remineralization, the mean differences in VHN values were ranked as follows, in order: (1) CR; (2) APF; (3) SiF; (4) SiF+CPC; (5) SDF; and (6) control (P<0.05). The calcium (Ca) content and calcium/phosphate ratio for all groups were significantly higher after 30 days (P<0.05). The greatest lesion depth changes were observed in the CR, APF, SiF, and SDF groups (P<0.05), while the greatest fluorescence changes were observed in the APF, SiF, and CR groups (P<0.05). The remineralization was most successful in the CR, APF, and SiF groups, with higher values than for those of the other treatments.

Carbon, nutrient and trace metal cycling in sandy sediments: A comparison of high-energy beaches and backbarrier tidal flats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reckhardt, Anja; Beck, Melanie; Seidel, Michael; Riedel, Thomas; Wehrmann, Achim; Bartholomä, Alexander; Schnetger, Bernhard; Dittmar, Thorsten; Brumsack, Hans-Jürgen

2015-06-01

In order to evaluate the importance of coastal sandy sediments and their contribution to carbon, nutrient and metal cycling we investigated two beach sites on Spiekeroog Island, southern North Sea, Germany, and a tidal flat margin, located in Spiekeroog's backbarrier area. We also analyzed seawater and fresh groundwater on Spiekeroog Island, to better define endmember concentrations, which influence our study sites. Intertidal sandy flats and beaches are characterized by pore water advection. Seawater enters the sediment during flood and pore water drains out during ebb and at low tide. This pore water circulation leads to continuous supply of fresh organic substrate to the sediments. Remineralization products of microbial degradation processes, i.e. nutrients, and dissolved trace metals from the reduction of particulate metal oxides, are enriched in the pore water compared to open seawater concentrations. The spatial distribution of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nutrients (PO43-, NO3-, NO2-, NH4+, Si(OH)4 and total alkalinity), trace metals (dissolved Fe and Mn) as well as sulfate suggests that the exposed beach sites are subject to relatively fast pore water advection, which leads to organic matter and oxygen replenishment. Frequent pore water exchange further leads to comparatively low nutrient concentrations. Sulfate reduction does not appear to play a major role during organic matter degradation. High nitrate concentrations indicate that redox conditions are oxic within the duneward freshwater influenced section, while ammonification, denitrification, manganese and iron reduction seem to prevail in the ammonium-dominated seawater circulation zone. In contrast, the sheltered tidal flat margin site exhibits a different sedimentology (coarser beach sands versus finer tidal flat sands) and nutrients, dissolved manganese and DOC accumulate in the pore water. Ammonium is the dominant pore water nitrogen species and intense sulfate reduction leads to the formation of sulfide, which precipitates dissolved iron as iron sulfide. These findings are due to slower advective pore water exchange in the tidal flat sediments. This study illustrates how different energy regimes affect biogeochemical cycling in intertidal permeable sediments.

Enamel alteration following tooth bleaching and remineralization.

PubMed

Coceska, Emilija; Gjorgievska, Elizabeta; Coleman, Nichola J; Gabric, Dragana; Slipper, Ian J; Stevanovic, Marija; Nicholson, John W

2016-06-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of professional tooth whitening agents containing highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide (with and without laser activation), on the enamel surface; and the potential of four different toothpastes to remineralize any alterations. The study was performed on 50 human molars, divided in two groups: treated with Opalescence(®) Boost and Mirawhite(®) Laser Bleaching. Furthermore, each group was divided into five subgroups, a control one and 4 subgroups remineralized with: Mirasensitive(®) hap+, Mirawhite(®) Gelleѐ, GC Tooth Mousse™ and Mirafluor(®) C. The samples were analysed by SEM/3D-SEM-micrographs, SEM/EDX-qualitative analysis and SEM/EDX-semiquantitative analysis. The microphotographs show that both types of bleaching cause alterations: emphasized perikymata, erosions, loss of interprizmatic substance; the laser treatment is more aggressive and loss of integrity of the enamel is determined by shearing off the enamel rods. In all samples undergoing remineralization deposits were observed, those of toothpastes based on calcium phosphate technologies seem to merge with each other and cover almost the entire surface of the enamel. Loss of integrity and minerals were detected only in the line-scans of the sample remineralized with GC Tooth Mousse™. The semiquantitative EDX analysis of individual elements in the surface layer of the enamel indicates that during tooth-bleaching with HP statistically significant loss of Na and Mg occurs, whereas the bleaching in combination with a laser leads to statistically significant loss of Ca and P. The results undoubtedly confirm that teeth whitening procedures lead to enamel alterations. In this context, it must be noted that laser bleaching is more aggressive for dental substances. However, these changes are reversible and can be repaired by application of remineralization toothpastes. © 2015 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2015 Royal Microscopical Society.

Efficacy of calcium- and fluoride-containing materials for the remineralization of primary teeth with early enamel lesion.

PubMed

Memarpour, Mahtab; Soltanimehr, Elham; Sattarahmady, Naghmeh

2015-09-01

The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of different products containing fluoride, calcium and phosphate for enamel remineralization in eroded primary teeth. A total of 90 sound primary canine teeth were randomly divided into 5 groups of 18 teeth each: 1) control (polished enamel), 2) 5% DuraShield sodium fluoride varnish, 3) 500 ppm fluoridated toothpaste, 4) casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) cream, and 5) Clinpro White varnish containing functionalized tri-calcium phosphate (fTCP). Enamel microhardness (EMH) was measured in all samples before and after demineralization and after 28 days of remineralization. Also 8 samples in groups 2 to 5 and four samples of sound and demineralized enamel were examined with atomic force microscopy (AFM). All data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA (p<0.05). Mean microhardness of demineralized enamel was significantly lower than in enamel at baseline (p<0.001). Remineralization significantly increased microharness in groups 2 to 5 compared to the control group (p<0.001). Percent EMH after remineralization with CPP-ACP was significantly higher than after fTCP (p=0.029), toothpaste (p< 0.001) or fluoride varnish (p<0.001); however, there was no significant difference between toothpaste and fluoride varnish (p=0.062). Microhardness increased more after fTCP treatment than after treatment with sodium fluoride varnish (p<0.001) or fluoridated toothpaste (p=0.045). AFM images showed that enamel roughness decreased most after treatment with fTCP, followed by CPP-ACP, toothpaste and fluoride varnish. The efficacy of CPP-ACP cream for remineralizing eroded enamel was greater than fluoride toothpaste, fluoride varnish or fTCP varnish. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Clinical evaluation of demineralization and remineralization of intact root surface lesions in the clinic by a quantitative light-induced fluorescence system.

PubMed

Durmusoglu, Oykü; Tağtekin, Dilek Arslantunali; Yanikoğlu, Funda

2012-03-01

Detection of demineralization of root surface caries is an important issue since preventive approaches prolong tooth life. Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) has been shown to be useful for the laboratory assessment of demineralization of root surfaces. The aim of this study was to determine the demineralization and remineralization of root surface intact and cavitated caries lesions using a QLF system as a nondestructive in vivo method. Noncavitated and demineralized root surface lesions were detected and scored using the QLF system. Oral hygiene education was given and periodontal cleaning was completed before the remineralization treatment. After obtaining baseline QLF data, the patients were informed about the remineralization treatment. Fluoride varnish was applied to the carious lesions at the baseline visit, and the patients were then reviewed after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks, with QLF assessment and fluoride varnish application repeated at each review. Repeated-measures ANOVA (α = 0.05) showed significant differences between ΔQ values at each visit (p < 0.001); ΔQ showed marked decreases at all the cut-off values (15, 20, 25, 30). The changes in ΔQ were not affected by the cut-off value. The ΔQ values of QLF showed differences at all visits. The QLF system was able to detect early root surface caries lesions in vivo. Bifluoride 12 varnish improved mineral levels as shown by the QLF system. The treatment response to chemicals of intact noncavitated root surface carious lesions could be followed nondestructively in the clinic using QLF to quantify remineralization at recall visits. Teeth with root surface caries can be kept by controlling their remineralization.

In vitro dentine remineralization with a potential salivary phosphoprotein homologue.

PubMed

Romero, Maria Jacinta Rosario H; Nakashima, Syozi; Nikaido, Toru; Sadr, Alireza; Tagami, Junji

2016-08-01

Advantages of introducing a salivary phosphoprotein homologue under standardized in vitro conditions to simulate the mineral-stabilizing properties of saliva have been proposed. This study longitudinally investigates the effects of casein, incorporated as a potential salivary phosphoprotein homologue in artificial saliva (AS) solutions with/without fluoride (F) on in vitro dentine lesion remineralization. Thin sections of bovine root dentine were demineralized and allocated randomly into 6 groups (n=18) having equivalent mineral loss (ΔZ) after transverse microradiography (TMR). The specimens were remineralized using AS solutions containing casein 0μg/ml, F 0ppm (C0-F0); casein 0μg/ml, F 1ppm (C0-F1); casein 10μg/ml, F 0ppm (C10-F0); casein 10μg/ml, F 1ppm (C10-F1); casein 100μg/ml, F 0ppm (C100-F0) or casein 100μg/ml, F 1ppm (C100-F1) for 28days with TMR taken every 7 days. Surface mineral precipitation, evident in group C0-F1, was apparently inhibited in groups with casein incorporation. Repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction revealed higher ΔZ for non-F and non-casein groups than for their counterparts (p<0.001). Subsequent multiple comparisons showed that mineral gain was higher (p<0.001) with 10μg/ml casein than with 100μg/ml when F was present in the earlier stages of remineralization, with both groups achieving almost complete remineralization after 28 days. Casein is a potential salivary phosphoprotein homologue that could be employed for in vitro dentine remineralization studies. Concentration related effects may be clinically significant and thus must be further examined. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effects of lesion baseline characteristics and different Sr:Ca ratios in plaque fluid-like solutions on caries lesion de- and remineralization.

PubMed

Lippert, Frank

2012-10-01

This study investigated the effects of lesion baseline characteristics and different strontium (Sr) to calcium (Ca) ratios in plaque fluid-like solutions (PF) on lesion de- and remineralization. Caries lesions were formed in enamel using three protocols: methylcellulose acid gel (MeC) and partially saturated lactic acid solutions containing carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or not (SOLN). Lesions were exposed to PF with four distinct Sr:Ca molar ratios (0:1/3:1:3), but otherwise identical composition and total Sr+Ca molarity, for seven days. Lesions were characterized using transverse microradiography (TMR) at baseline and post-treatment. At baseline, MeC and CMC had similar integrated mineral loss values, whereas SOLN lesions were more demineralized. All lesions showed significant differences in their mineral distributions, with CMC and SOLN having lower R values (integrated mineral loss to lesion depth ratio) than MeC. Post-PF exposure, no interaction was found between lesion type and Sr:Ca ratio. Within lesion type, MeC demineralized, whereas CMC and SOLN exhibited some remineralization, with the differences between MeC and the other lesion types being of statistical significance. Within Sr:Ca ratio, the 1:3 ratio exhibited some remineralization whereas other groups tended to demineralize. Only the difference between groups SrCa1/3 and SrCa0 was of statistical significance. In summary, both lesion baseline characteristics and Sr:Ca ratio were shown to effect lesion de- and remineralization. Under the conditions of the study, high-R lesions are more prone to demineralize under PF-like conditions than low-R lesions. In addition, partial Sr substitution for Ca in PF was shown to enhance lesion remineralization. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An in vitro comparison of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate paste, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate paste with fluoride and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate varnish on the inhibition of demineralization and promotion of remineralization of enamel.

PubMed

Thakkar, Prachi Jayesh; Badakar, Chandrashekhar M; Hugar, Shivayogi M; Hallikerimath, Seema; Patel, Punit M; Shah, Parin

2017-01-01

This study aims to determine and compare the extent of inhibition of demineralization and promotion of remineralization of permanent molar enamel with and without application of three remineralizing agents. Forty extracted permanent molars were randomly divided into two groups 1 and 2, longitudinally sectioned into four and divided into subgroups A, B, C, and D. The sections were coated with nail varnish leaving a window of 3 mm × 3 mm. All sections of Group 1 were treated with their respective subgroup-specific agent: Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) paste for subgroup A, CPP-amorphous calcium phosphate fluoride (ACPF) paste for subgroup B, CPP-ACPF varnish for subgroup C and subgroup D served as a control. The sections were then subjected to demineralization for 12 days following which lesional depth was measured under the stereomicroscope. All the sections of Group 2 were subjected to demineralization for 12 days, examined for lesional depth, then treated with their respective subgroup specific agents and immersed in artificial saliva for 7 days. The sections were then examined again under the stereomicroscope to measure the lesional depth. CPP-ACPF varnish caused significant inhibition of demineralization. All three agents showed significant remineralization of previously demineralized lesions. However, CPP-ACPF varnish showed the greatest remineralization, followed by CPP-ACPF paste and then CPP-ACP paste. This study shows that CPP-ACPF varnish is effective in preventing demineralization as well as promoting remineralization of enamel. Thus, it can be used as an effective preventive measure for pediatric patients where compliance with the use of tooth mousse may be questionable.

Effect of xylitol varnishes on remineralization of artificial enamel caries lesions in situ.

PubMed

Cardoso, C A B; Cassiano, L P S; Costa, E N; Souza-E-Silva, C M; Magalhães, A C; Grizzo, L T; Caldana, M L; Bastos, J R M; Buzalaf, M A R

2016-07-01

Analyze the effect of varnishes containing xylitol compared to commercial fluoridated varnishes on the remineralization of artificial enamel caries lesions in situ. Twenty subjects took part in this crossover, double-blind study performed in four phases of 5days each. Each subject worn palatal appliances containing four predemineralized bovine enamel specimens. Artificial caries lesions were produced by immersion in 30ml of lactic acid buffer containing 3mM CaCl2·2H2O, 3mM KH2PO4, 6μM tetraetil metil diphosphanate (pH 5.0) for 6days. The specimens in each subject were treated once with the following varnishes: 20% xylitol (experimental); Duofluorid™ (6% NaF, 6% CaF2), Duraphat™ (5% NaF, positive control) and placebo (no-F/xylitol, negative control). The varnishes were applied in a thin layer and removed after 6h. Fifteen subjects were able to finish all phases. The enamel alterations were quantified by surface hardness and transversal microradiography. The percentage of surface hardness recovery (%SHR), the integrated mineral loss and lesion depth were statistically analyzed by Friedmann and Dunn's tests test (p<0.05). Enamel surface remineralization was significantly increased by Duraphat™, Duofluorid™ and 20% xylitol formulations. Significant subsurface mineral remineralization could also be seen for the experimental and commercial varnishes, except for Duraphat™, when the parameter "lesion depth" was considered. 20% xylitol varnish seem to be a promising alternative to increase surface and subsurface remineralization of artificial caries lesions in situ. effective vehicles are desirable for caries control. Xylitol varnishes seem to be promising alternatives to increase enamel remineralization in situ, which should be confirmed by clinical studies. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Chemical Phosphorylation-inspired Design for Type I Collagen Biomimetic Remineralization

PubMed Central

Gu, Li-sha; Kim, Jongryul; Kim, Young Kyung; Liu, Yan; Dickens, Sabine H.; Pashley, David H.; Ling, Jun-qi; Tay, Franklin R.

2010-01-01

Objectives Type I collagen alone cannot initiate tissue mineralization. Sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) is frequently employed as a chemical phosphorylating reagent in the food industry. This study examined the feasibility of using STMP as a functional analog of matrix phosphoproteins for biomimetic remineralization of resin-bonded dentin. Methods Equilibrium adsorption and desorption studies of STMP were performed using demineralized dentin powder (DDP). Interaction between STMP and DDP was examined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Based on those results, a bio-inspired mineralization scheme was developed for chemical phosphorylation of acid-etched dentin with STMP, followed by infiltration of the STMP-treated collagen matrix with two etch-and-rinse adhesives. Resin-dentin interfaces were remineralized in a Portland cement-simulated body fluid system, with or without the use of polyacrylic acid (PAA) as a dual biomimetic analog. Remineralized resin-dentin interfaces were examined unstained using transmission electron microscopy. Results Analysis of saturation binding curves revealed the presence of irreversible phosphate group binding sites on the surface of the DDP. FT-IR provided additional evidence of chemical interaction between STMP and DDP, with increased in the peak intensities of the P=O and P–O–C stretching modes. Those peaks returned to their original intensities after alkaline phosphatase treatment. Evidence of intrafibrillar apatite formation could be seen in incompletely resin-infiltrated, STMP-phosphorylated collagen matrices only when PAA was present in the SBF. Significance These results reinforce the importance of PAA for sequestration of amorphous calcium phosphate nanoprecursors in the biomimetic remineralization scheme. They also highlight the role of STMP as a templating analog of dentin matrix phosphoproteins for inducing intrafibrillar remineralization of apatite nanocrystals within the collagen matrix of incompletely resin-infiltrated dentin. PMID:20688381

[Brushing abrasion of the enamel surface after erosion].

PubMed

Lipei, Chen; Xiangke, Ci; Xiaoyan, Ou

2017-08-01

Objective A study was conducted to compare the effect of different enamel remineralization periods after erosion on the depth of brushing abrasion. Methods Ten volunteers were selected for a 4-day experiment. A total of 60 enamels were randomly assigned into six groups (A-F) and placed in intraoral palatal devices. On the first day, the palatal devices were placed in oral cavity (24 h) . On the following three days, brushing experiments were performed extraorally, two times per day. The specific experimental method of brushing follows these next steps. First, the group F specimens were covered with a film of wax, and then acid etched for 2 min. Subsequently, the film of wax was detached. The groups from A to D were brushed after remineralization at the following time intervals: group A, 0 min; group B, 20 min; group C, 40 min; group D, 60 min. Erosion and remineralization were performed on group E, but without brushing. Remineralization was performed on group F, but without acid etching and brushing. The depth of enamel abrasion was determined by a mechanical profilometer. The surface morphology of the enamel blocks was observed using a scanning electron microscope. Results 1) The depth of abrasion was different in varied enamel remineralization time after acid etching. The statistical significant differences between groups were as follows. 2) When the time of enamel remineralization after acid etching was short, the surface depression in the electron microscope was deep, and the surface morphology was rough. Conclusion Brushing immediately after acid etching would cause much serious abrasion to the enamel surface. Brushing after 60 min can effectively reduce the abrasion of acid etching enamel.

In situ evaluation of low-fluoride toothpastes associated to calcium glycerophosphate on enamel remineralization.

PubMed

Zaze, A C S F; Dias, A P; Amaral, J G; Miyasaki, M L; Sassaki, K T; Delbem, A C B

2014-12-01

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of low-fluoride toothpastes with calcium glycerophosphate (CaGP) on enamel remineralization in situ. Volunteers (n=10) wore palatal devices holding four bovine enamel blocks. The treatments involved 5 experimental phases of 3 days each according to the following toothpastes: placebo, 500 ppm F (500 NaF), 500 ppm F with 0.25% CaGP (500 NaF CaGP), 500 ppm F with 0.25% CaGP (500 MFP CaGP) and 1100 ppm F (1100; positive control). After this experimental period, the fluoride, calcium, and phosphorus ion concentrations from enamel were determined. Surface and cross-sectional hardness were also performed. Data were analysed by 1-way ANOVA, Student-Newman-Keuls' test and by Pearson's correlation. The addition of 0.25% CaGP improved the remineralization potential of low-fluoride toothpastes and the NaF as source of fluoride yielded the best results (p<0.001) as evidenced by the hardness analysis. The 1100 ppm F toothpaste provided higher presence of fluoride in the enamel after remineralization (p<0.001). The addition of CaGP to the NaF and MFP toothpastes led to similar calcium concentration in the enamel as the observed with the positive control (p=0.054). Toothpastes with 500 ppm F (NaF or MFP) and CaGP showed similar remineralization potential than 1100 ppm F toothpaste. Toothpastes containing 500 ppm F associated to CaGP, with both fluoride source (NaF or MFP), showed a potential of remineralization similar to commercial toothpaste. Although there is a need for confirmation in the clinical setting, these results point to an alternative for improving the risk-benefit relationship between fluorosis and dental caries in small children. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biogeochemical characteristics of suspended particulate matter in deep chlorophyll maximum layers in the southern East China Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Qianqian; Kandasamy, Selvaraj; Lin, Baozhi; Wang, Huawei; Chen, Chen-Tung Arthur

2018-04-01

Continental shelves and marginal seas are key sites of particulate organic matter (POM) production, remineralization and sequestration, playing an important role in the global carbon cycle. Elemental and stable isotopic compositions of organic carbon and nitrogen are thus frequently used to characterize and distinguish POM and its sources in suspended particles and surface sediments in the marginal seas. Here we investigated suspended particulate matter (SPM) collected around deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) layers in the southern East China Sea for particulate organic carbon and nitrogen (POC and PN) contents and their isotopic compositions (δ13CPOC and δ15NPN) to understand provenance and dynamics of POM. Hydrographic parameters (temperature, salinity and turbidity) indicated that the study area was weakly influenced by freshwater derived from the Yangtze River during summer 2013. Elemental and isotopic results showed a large variation in δ13CPOC (-25.8 to -18.2 ‰) and δ15NPN (3.8 to 8.0 ‰), but a narrow molar C / N ratio (4.1-6.3) and low POC / Chl a ratio ( < 200 g g-1) in POM, and indicated that the POM in DCM layers was newly produced by phytoplankton. In addition to temperature effects, the range and distribution of δ13CPOC were controlled by variations in primary productivity and phytoplankton species composition; the former explained ˜ 70 % of the variability in δ13CPOC. However, the variation in δ15NPN was controlled by the nutrient status and δ15NNO3- in seawater, as indicated by similar spatial distribution between δ15NPN and the current pattern and water masses in the East China Sea; although interpretations of δ15NPN data should be verified with the nutrient data in future studies. Furthermore, the POM investigated was weakly influenced by the terrestrial OM supplied by the Yangtze River during summer 2013 due to the reduced sediment supply by the Yangtze River and north-eastward transport of riverine particles to the northern East China Sea. We demonstrated that the composition of POM around DCM layers in the southern East China Sea is highly dynamic and largely driven by phytoplankton abundance. Nonetheless, additional radiocarbon and biomarker data are needed to re-evaluate whether or not the POM around the DCM water depths is influenced by terrestrial OM in the river-dominated East China Sea.

The role of grape seed extract in the remineralization of demineralized dentine: micromorphological and physical analyses.

PubMed

Tang, Cheng-fang; Fang, Ming; Liu, Rui-rui; Dou, Qi; Chai, Zhi-guo; Xiao, Yu-hong; Chen, Ji-hua

2013-12-01

Grape seed extract (GSE) is known to have a positive effect on the demineralization and/or remineralization of artificial root caries lesions. The present study aimed to investigate whether biomodification of caries-like acid-etched demineralized dentine, using proanthocyanidins-rich GSE, would promote its remineralization potential. Dentine specimens were acid-etched for 30s, then biomodified using proanthocyanidin-based preconditioners (at different concentrations and pH values) for 2min, followed by a 15-day artificial remineralization regimen. They were subsequently subjected to microhardness measurements, micromorphological evaluation and X-ray diffraction analyses. Stability of the preconditioners was also analyzed, spectrophotometrically. A concentration-dependent increase was observed in the microhardness of the specimens that were biomodified using GSE preconditioners, without pH adjustment. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed greater mineral deposition on their surfaces, which was further identified mainly as hydroxylapatite. The absorbances of preconditioner dilutions at pH 7.4 and pH 10.0 decreased at the two typical polyphenol bands. Transient GSE biomodification promoted remineralization on the surface of demineralized dentine, and this process was influenced by the concentration and pH value of the preconditioner. GSE preconditioner at a concentration of 15%, without pH adjustment, presented with the best results, and this may be attributed to its high polyphenolic content. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of flavonoids on remineralization of artificial root caries.

PubMed

Epasinghe, D J; Yiu, Cky; Burrow, M F

2016-06-01

This study compared the effects of three flavonoids, including proanthocyanidin, naringin and quercetin on remineralization of artificial root caries. Demineralized root fragments (n = 75) were randomly divided into five groups for treatment with the remineralizing agents for 10 minutes: (1) 6.5% proanthocyanidin; (2) 6.5% naringin; (3) 6.5% quercetin; (4) 1000 ppm fluoride; and (5) deionized water (control). The demineralized samples were pH-cycled through treatment solutions, acidic buffer and neutral buffer for eight days at six cycles per day. The remineralization effects were evaluated using Knoop microhardness, transverse microradiography (lesion depth and mineral loss) and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Microhardness at different lesion depths was analysed with two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test, while lesion depths and mineral loss were analysed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. Artificial caries lesions treated with fluoride and flavonoids showed significantly greater hardness than the control group (p < 0.05). Both lesion depths and mineral loss of the flavonoid treated groups were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05), but significantly higher than the fluoride treated group. No significant difference in lesion depth and mineral loss was found among the three flavonoids (p > 0.05). All three flavonoids showed positive effects on artificial root caries remineralization, which are significantly lower than that of 1000 ppm fluoride. © 2016 Australian Dental Association.

Fiber optic backscatter spectroscopic sensor to monitor enamel demineralization and remineralization in vitro

PubMed Central

Kishen, Anil; Shrestha, Annie; Rafique, Adeela

2008-01-01

In this study, a Fiber Optic Backscatter Spectroscopic Sensor (FOBSS) is used to monitor demineralization and remineralization induced changes in the enamel. A bifurcated fiber optic backscatter probe connected to a visible light source and a high resolution spectrophotometer was used to acquire the backscatter light spectrum from the tooth surface. The experiments were conducted in two parts. In Part 1, experiments were carried out using fiber optic backscatter spectroscopy on (1) sound enamel and dentine sections and (2) sound tooth specimens subjected to demineralization and remineralization. In Part 2, polarization microscopy was conducted to examine the depth of demineralization in tooth specimens. The enamel and dentine specimens from the Part-1 experiments showed distinct backscatter spectra. The spectrum obtained from the enamel-dentine combination and the spectrum generated from the average of the enamel and dentine spectral values were closely similar and showed characteristics of dentine. The experiments in Part 2 showed that demineralization and remineralization processes induced a linear decrease and linear increase in the backscatter light intensity respectively. A negative correlation between the decrease in the backscatter light intensity during demineralization and the depth of demineralization determined using the polarization microscopy was calculated to be p = -0.994. This in vitro experiment highlights the potential benefit of using FOBSS to detect demineralization and remineralization of enamel. PMID:20142887

Experimental investigation of demineralization and remineralization of human teeth using infrared photothermal radiometry and modulated luminescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeon, Raymond J.; Hellen, Adam; Matvienko, Anna; Mandelis, Andreas; Abrams, Stephen H.; Amaechi, Bennett T.

2008-02-01

Photothermal radiometry (PTR) and modulated luminescence (LUM) were applied to detect and monitor the demineralization of root and enamel surfaces of human teeth to produce caries lesions and the subsequent remineralization of the produced lesions. The experimental set-up consisted of a semiconductor laser (659 nm, 120 mW), a mercury-cadmium-telluride IR detector for PTR, a photodiode for LUM, and two lock-in amplifiers. A lesion was created on a 1-mm × 4-mm rectangular window, spanning root to enamel surface, using an artificial caries lesion gel to demineralize the tooth surface and create small carious lesions. The samples were subsequently immersed in a remineralization solution. Each sample was examined with PTR/LUM on root and enamel before and after treatment at times from 1 to 10 days of demineralization and 2 to 10 days of remineralization. PTR/LUM signals showed gradual and consistent changes with treatment time. At the completion of the experiments, transverse micro-radiography (TMR) analysis was performed to correlate the PTR/LUM signals to depth of the carious lesions and mineral losses. In this study, TMR showed good correlation with PTR/LUM. It was also found that treatment duration did not correlate well to any technique, PTR/LUM, or TMR, which is indicative of significant variations in demineralization - remineralization rates among different teeth.

Effect of fluorides from various restorative materials on remineralization of adjacent tooth: an in vitro study.

PubMed

Baliga, M S; Bhat, S S

2010-01-01

The aim of the study was to evaluate the extent of surface zone remineralization and the effect of fluoride at the inter-proximal adjacent tooth surface, using restorative materials FusionAlloy, Ketac-Fil and Heliomolar. Ninety extracted molar teeth were used of which 45 were placed in artificial caries for 10 weeks. The remaining 45 teeth were filled with the respective restorative materials, mounted with the artificial carious teeth in proximal contact with plaster and placed in artificial saliva for a period of 28 days. Finally, sectioning of artificially carious teeth was done mesio-distally and observed under the optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. Comparison among the groups was done by one-way analysis of variance [ANOVA] and Fischer's F test. Intercomparison between the groups was done by using Dunnett's t-test. Results obtained from transmitted electron microscopic and scanning electron microscopic observations were almost similar with the Ketac-Fil and Heliomolar showing better results in surface zone remineralization compared to FusionAlloy. Also, Ketac-Fil is a good material in releasing fluoride to remineralize enamel when compared to Heliomolar and FusionAlloy. Thus, it can be used mainly in class II cavity restorations of primary and permanent dentitions due to the potential ability of fluoride containing glass ionomer cements and composite resins to remineralize incipient carious lesions on adjacent teeth.

Influence of remineralizing gels on bleached enamel microhardness in different time intervals.

PubMed

Borges, Alessandra Bühler; Yui, Karen Cristina Kazue; D'Avila, Thaís Corrêa; Takahashi, Camila Lurie; Torres, Carlos Rocha Gomes; Borges, Alexandre Luis Souto

2010-01-01

This study evaluated the influence of bleaching gel pH, the effect of applying remineralizing gels after bleaching and the effect of artificial saliva on enamel microhardness. Seventy bovine incisors were divided into three groups: Group 1 (n=10) received no bleaching procedure (control); Group 2 was bleached with a 35% hydrogen peroxide neutral gel (n=30) and Group 3 was bleached with a 35% hydrogen peroxide acid gel (n=30). Each experimental group was subdivided into three groups (n=10) according to the post-bleaching treatment: storage in artificial saliva, application of a fluoride gel and application of a combination of calcium and fluoride gel. The specimens were stored in artificial saliva for 7, 15 and 30 days and enamel microhardness was evaluated. The Vickers microhardness data were analyzed by three-way RM ANOVA, which revealed a significant difference only for treatment factor. The Tukey's test showed that the groups bleached followed by no additional treatment exhibited microhardness means significantly lower than the bleached groups treated with remineralizing gels. The Dunnet's test showed a significant difference only for the group bleached with acid gel without remineralizing treatment compared to the control group measured immediately after bleaching. It was concluded that acid bleaching gel significantly reduced enamel microhardness and that use of remineralizing gels after bleaching can significantly enhance the microhardness of bleached enamel.

An in Vitro Evaluation of Remineralization Potential of Novamin(®) on Artificial Enamel Sub-Surface Lesions Around Orthodontic Brackets Using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX).

PubMed

Mohanty, Pritam; Padmanabhan, Sridevi; Chitharanjan, Arun B

2014-11-01

To evaluate and compare the Ca/P ratio of enamel samples around the orthodontic brackets for time periods of 0, 2 and 10 days in two groups (control group and study group). Forty extracted teeth were randomly divided into control group and study group. All samples were demineralized and incubated in artificial saliva at 37°C for a period of 10 days after demineralization. During this phase the enamel samples in the study group were treated with remineralizing paste (NuproNusolution containing Novamin®-Dentsply) for 10 days. At the end of the incubation period, Ca/P ratios were analyzed for both the groupsby EDX analysis. Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using student t-test for paired samples and Student t- test for individual samples (p ≤ 0.05). It was found that the mean Ca/P ratio was significantly lower for the control group as compared to the study group (p-value < 0.05) after 10 d of incubation. Novamin(®) containing remineralization toothpaste showed significant remineralizing potential in inhibition of artificial enamel sub-surface lesion around bracket after 10 days of remineralization phase. EDX element analysis was found to be an efficient method to quantify the changes in mineral content of a sample during in vitro caries studies.

An in Vitro Evaluation of Remineralization Potential of Novamin® on Artificial Enamel Sub-Surface Lesions Around Orthodontic Brackets Using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX)

PubMed Central

Padmanabhan, Sridevi; Chitharanjan, Arun B

2014-01-01

Objective: To evaluate and compare the Ca/P ratio of enamel samples around the orthodontic brackets for time periods of 0, 2 and 10 days in two groups (control group and study group). Materials and Methods: Forty extracted teeth were randomly divided into control group and study group. All samples were demineralized and incubated in artificial saliva at 37°C for a period of 10 days after demineralization. During this phase the enamel samples in the study group were treated with remineralizing paste (NuproNusolution containing Novamin®-Dentsply) for 10 days. At the end of the incubation period, Ca/P ratios were analyzed for both the groupsby EDX analysis. Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using student t-test for paired samples and Student t- test for individual samples (p ≤ 0.05). Results: It was found that the mean Ca/P ratio was significantly lower for the control group as compared to the study group (p-value < 0.05) after 10 d of incubation. Conclusion: Novamin® containing remineralization toothpaste showed significant remineralizing potential in inhibition of artificial enamel sub-surface lesion around bracket after 10 days of remineralization phase. EDX element analysis was found to be an efficient method to quantify the changes in mineral content of a sample during in vitro caries studies. PMID:25584326

Temperature induced decoupling of enzymatic hydrolysis and carbon remineralization in long-term incubations of Arctic and temperate sediments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robador, Alberto; Brüchert, Volker; Steen, Andrew D.; Arnosti, Carol

2010-04-01

Extracellular enzymatic hydrolysis of high-molecular weight organic matter is the initial step in sedimentary organic carbon degradation and is often regarded as the rate-limiting step. Temperature effects on enzyme activities may therefore exert an indirect control on carbon mineralization. We explored the temperature sensitivity of enzymatic hydrolysis and its connection to subsequent steps in anoxic organic carbon degradation in long-term incubations of sediments from the Arctic and the North Sea. These sediments were incubated under anaerobic conditions for 24 months at temperatures of 0, 10, and 20 °C. The short-term temperature response of the active microbial community was tested in temperature gradient block incubations. The temperature optimum of extracellular enzymatic hydrolysis, as measured with a polysaccharide (chondroitin sulfate), differed between Arctic and temperate habitats by about 8-13 °C in fresh sediments and in sediments incubated for 24 months. In both Arctic and temperate sediments, the temperature response of chondroitin sulfate hydrolysis was initially similar to that of sulfate reduction. After 24 months, however, hydrolysis outpaced sulfate reduction rates, as demonstrated by increased concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total dissolved carbohydrates. This effect was stronger at higher incubation temperatures, particularly in the Arctic sediments. In all experiments, concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFA) were low, indicating tight coupling between VFA production and consumption. Together, these data indicate that long-term incubation at elevated temperatures led to increased decoupling of hydrolytic DOC production relative to fermentation. Temperature increases in marine sedimentary environments may thus significantly affect the downstream carbon mineralization and lead to the increased formation of refractory DOC.

Organic carbon isotope constraints on the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) reservoir at the Cryogenian-Ediacaran transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Ganqing; Wang, Xinqiang; Shi, Xiaoying; Zhang, Shihong; Xiao, Shuhai; Dong, Jin

2010-10-01

Prominent negative carbonate carbon isotope (δ 13C carb) anomalies from some Ediacaran successions are accompanied by invariant or decoupled organic carbon isotope (δ 13C org) values and have been interpreted as resulting from the remineralization of a large dissolved organic carbon (DOC) reservoir capable of buffering carbon isotopes of organic matter. This inferred oceanic DOC reservoir was thought to have initiated with the onset of Cryogenian glaciations (ca. 720 Ma) and lasted for millions of years until the late Ediacaran Period (< 560 Ma). Carbon isotope analyses of the basal Doushantuo Formation (ca. 635 Ma) in south China reveal that (1) the cap carbonate has δ 13C org around -26‰ (VPDB) and relatively low Δδ 13C (22 ± 2‰) and (2) the overlying organic-rich black shale and shaly dolostone have more negative δ 13C org (-28‰ to -35‰) and higher Δδ 13C (28‰-30‰). Both δ 13C carb and δ 13C org show a + 6‰ shift within a 4-m-thick interval overlying the Doushantuo cap carbonate. The δ 13C org values of the cap carbonate are associated with low TOC (mostly < 0.1%); their paleoceanographic significance requires further tests in other Ediacaran basins. The co-varying positive shift in δ 13C carb and δ 13C org following cap carbonate deposition is best interpreted as resulting from a rapid increase in organic carbon burial, which may have resulted in the rise of oxygen and heralded the first appearance of animals a few meters above the Doushantuo cap carbonate. The data suggest that a large oceanic DOC reservoir did not exist in the early Ediacaran ocean. Excess oceanic DOC required to explain the Ediacaran Shuram and upper Doushantuo δ 13C excursions, if it existed, had to be developed during the Ediacaran Period after cap carbonate deposition.

Spatial variability of upper ocean POC export in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean determined using particle-reactive 234Th

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Subha Anand, S.; Rengarajan, R.; Sarma, V. V. S. S.; Sudheer, A. K.; Bhushan, R.; Singh, S. K.

2017-05-01

The northern Indian Ocean is globally significant for its seasonally reversing winds, upwelled nutrients, high biological production, and expanding oxygen minimum zones. The region acts as sink and source for atmospheric CO2. However, the efficiency of the biological carbon pump to sequester atmospheric CO2 and export particulate organic carbon from the surface is not well known. To quantify the upper ocean carbon export flux and to estimate the efficiency of biological carbon pump in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, seawater profiles of total 234Th were measured from surface to 300 m depth at 13 stations from 19.9°N to 25.3°S in a transect along 87°E, during spring intermonsoon period (March-April 2014). Results showed enhanced in situ primary production in the equatorial Indian Ocean and the central Bay of Bengal and varied from 13.2 to 173.8 mmol C m-2 d-1. POC export flux in this region varied from 0 to 7.7 mmol C m-2 d-1. Though high carbon export flux was found in the equatorial region, remineralization of organic carbon in the surface and subsurface waters considerably reduced organic carbon export in the Bay of Bengal. Annually recurring anticyclonic eddies enhanced organic carbon utilization and heterotrophy. Oxygen minimum zone developed due to stratification and poor ventilation was intensified by subsurface remineralization. 234Th-based carbon export fluxes were not comparable with empirical statistical model estimates based on primary production and temperature. Region-specific refinement of model parameters is required to accurately predict POC export fluxes.

Measuring the remineralization potential of different agents with quantitative light-induced fluorescence digital Biluminator.

PubMed

Kucukyilmaz, Ebru; Savas, Selcuk

2017-01-26

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of different remineralization agents by quantitative light-induced fluorescence digital BiluminatorTM (QLF-D). Artificial caries lesions were created, and the teeth were divided according to the tested materials: (i) distilled water, (ii) acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF), (iii) Curodont Repair (CR), (iv) ammonium hexafluorosilicate (SiF) and (v) ammonium hexafluorosilicate plus cetylpyridinium chloride (SiF + CPC). After treatment procedures, each of the samples was placed in artificial saliva. After demineralization and 1 and 4 weeks of remineralization procedures, fluorescence loss and lesion areas were measured with QLF-D. Data were statistically analyzed (α = 0.05). The fluorescence values of the demineralized enamel specimens treated with the various agents differed significantly compared with pretreatment values for both 1 and 4 weeks (p<0.05). At 4 weeks, the highest fluorescence gain was calculated in the CR, APF and SiF groups compared with the control (p<0.05). APF, SiF and CR groups yielded greater remineralization ability than SiF + CPC and control groups.

Modelling Biogenic Carbon Cycling and Remineralization In The Mesopelagic Layer 1. Conceptual Development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Legendre, L.; Rivkin, R. B.; Nagata, T.

Most of the biogenic carbon (BC) that is exported (E) from the euphotic zone to the mesopelagic layer (i.e. 100 to 1000 m) is remineralized to CO2 (i.e. respiration, R). A significant part of this remineralized CO2 is ventilated back to the surface layer on decadal time scales, where it equilibrates with the atmosphere. Only the BC that is remineralized or buried (i.e.. sequestration, S) below the permanent pycnocline, typi- cally ca. 1000 m, is isolated from the atmosphere long enough to be of significance to the global climate. Current estimates of E and S for the World Ocean are ca. 7 to 12 and 1 to 2 Gt C/year, respectively. The main biological mechanisms that control R in the mesopelagic layer are the size structure, sinking velocity and chemical composi- tion of E. The interactions among these factors are non-linear. Because the changing climate will modify both R and the downward propagation of characteristics of the surface ocean (e.g. heat, storm mixing), these factors will influence S, which will in turn feedback to climate.

Sodium Trimetaphosphate as a Novel Strategy for Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibition and Dentin Remineralization.

PubMed

Gonçalves, Rafael Simões; Scaffa, Polliana Mendes Candia; Giacomini, Marina Ciccone; Vidal, Cristina de Mattos Pimenta; Honório, Heitor Marques; Wang, Linda

2018-01-01

The effect of sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) as an antiproteolytic and remineralizing agent on demineralized dentin was evaluated in vitro. The inhibitory potential of STMP at 0.5, 1.5, 3.5, and 5% against recombinant matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) MMPs-2 and -9 was assessed by zymography. To investigate its remineralization potential, 40 bovine root specimens were obtained and subjected to a demineralization protocol to produce caries-like dentin lesions. After that, dentin surfaces were divided into 3 areas: (1) mineralized (no treatment); (2) demineralized; and (3) demineralized/treated with STMP and submitted to a pH-cycling associated or not with STMP (1.5, 3.5, or 5% STMP, 10 min of treatment). After that, superficial hardness (SH) and cross-sectional hardness (CSH) were determined. Polarized light microscopy (PLM) was used to qualitatively evaluate mineralization within the caries-like lesions. The zymographic analysis showed that STMP solution is a potent inhibitor of the gelatinolytic activity of MMPs-2 and -9 depending on the dose, since the lowest concentration (0.5%) partially inhibited the enzyme activity, while the higher concentrations completely inhibited enzyme activity. Regarding remineralization effect, only 1.5% STMP solution enhanced both the SH and CSH. PLM showed that the area treated with 1.5% STMP presented similar birefringence as mineralized sound dentin. In conclusion, 1.5% STMP solution is effective as an antiproteolytic agent against MMPs and promotes dentin remineralization. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Automated assessment of the remineralization of artificial enamel lesions with polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography

PubMed Central

Lee, Robert C.; Kang, Hobin; Darling, Cynthia L.; Fried, Daniel

2014-01-01

Accurate measurement of the highly mineralized transparent surface layer that forms on caries lesions is important for diagnosis of the lesion activity because chemical intervention can slow or reverse the caries process via remineralization. Previous in-vitro and in-vivo studies have demonstrated that polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) can nondestructively image the subsurface lesion structure and the highly mineralized transparent surface zone of caries lesions. The purpose of this study was to develop an approach to automatically process 3-dimensional PS-OCT images and to accurately assess the remineralization process in simulated enamel lesions. Artificial enamel lesions were prepared on twenty bovine enamel blocks using two models to produce varying degree of demineralization and remineralization. The thickness of the transparent surface layer and the integrated reflectivity of the subsurface lesion were measured using PS-OCT. The automated transparent surface layer detection algorithm was able to successfully detect the transparent surface layers with high sensitivity ( = 0.92) and high specificity ( = 0.97). The estimated thickness of the transparent surface layer showed a strong correlation with polarized light microscopy (PLM) measurements of all regions (R2 = 0.90). The integrated reflectivity, ΔR, and the integrated mineral loss, ΔZ, showed a moderate correlation (R2 = 0.32). This study demonstrates that PS-OCT can automatically measure the changes in artificial enamel lesion structure and severity upon exposure to remineralization solutions. PMID:25401009

Evaluation of the remineralization potential of amorphous calcium phosphate and fluoride containing pit and fissure sealants using scanning electron microscopy.

PubMed

Choudhary, Prashant; Tandon, Shobha; Ganesh, M; Mehra, Anshul

2012-01-01

To evaluate the remineralization potential of Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (ACP) and Fluoride containing pit and Fissure Sealants using Scanning Electron Microscopy. Thirty maxillary first premolars were divided into three groups of ten each and were randomly selected for ACP containing (Aegis- Opaque White, Bosworth Co. Ltd.), Fluoride containing (Teethmate F1 Natural Clear, Kuraray Co. Ltd.), resin based (Concise- Opaque White, 3M ESPE Co. Ltd.) pit and fissure sealant applications. The Concise group served as a control. The teeth weresubjected to the pH-cycling regimen for a period of two weeks. After two weeks, the teeth were sectioned bucco-lingually into 4mm sections and were observed under Scanning Electron Microscope at 50X, 250X, 500X, 1000X and 1500X magnifications. The qualitative changes at the tooth surface and sealant interface were examined and presence of white zone at the interface was considered positive for remineralization. Both ACP containing (Aegis) and Fluoride containing (Teethmate F1) group showed white zone at the tooth surface-sealant interface. The resin based group (Concise) showed regular interface between the sealant and the tooth structure, but no clear cut white zone was observed. Both, Aegis and Teethmate F1 have the potential to remineralize. Release of Amorphous Calcium Phosphate molecules in Aegis group and formation of Fluoroapetite in Teethmate F1 group, were probably responsible for the remineralization.

Distribution and transport of particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a river-influenced continental margin: the northern Gulf of Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adhikari, P. L.; Maiti, K.

2017-12-01

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are particle-reactive and get preferentially sorbed on particulate organic carbon (POC), thus, the transport and fate of POC in aquatic systems plays an important role in biogeochemical cycling of PAHs. In this study, we examine POC and PAHs in finer suspended particulate matter collected from the Louisiana coast, shelf and slope - progressively south-west transect along the direction of the Mississippi River plume, and also from a transect of Atchafalaya River. The concentrations of total particulate PAHs (ΣPAH43) varied between 0.92 to 7.04 ng/L, while POC varied between 4 to 131 µg/L. The concentrations of total particulate ΣPAH43 as well as individual PAH analytes were significantly positively correlated to the concentrations of POC which indicates that the concentrations and transport of POC plays an important role in distribution of PAHs in marine systems. The river influence, characterized by the change in salinity, had significant negative correlation with both the concentrations of particulate PAHs and POC. These results show that the Mississippi River derived particle influx can be an important vector in delivering particle-reactive hydrophobic organic pollutants such as PAHs into the river dominated continental ecosystems in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The underlying seafloor sediment PAHs' concentration and accumulation rates were not correlated to the water column particulate PAH and POC concentrations, which is attributed to re-mineralization during vertical transport, sediment resuspension/redistribution and different timescales of comparison.

Biological and chemical characteristics of the coral gastric cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agostini, S.; Suzuki, Y.; Higuchi, T.; Casareto, B. E.; Yoshinaga, K.; Nakano, Y.; Fujimura, H.

2012-03-01

All corals have a common structure: two tissue layers enclose a lumen, which forms the gastric cavity. Few studies have described the processes occurring inside the gastric cavity and its chemical and biological characteristics. Here, we show that the coral gastric cavity has distinct chemical characteristics with respect to dissolved O2, pH, alkalinity, and nutrients (vitamin B12, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, and phosphate) and also harbors a distinct bacterial community. From these results, the gastric cavity can be described as a semi-closed sub-environment within the coral. Dissolved O2 shows very low constant concentrations in the deepest parts of the cavity, creating a compartmentalized, anoxic environment. The pH is lower in the cavity than in the surrounding water and, like alkalinity, shows day/night variations different from those of the surrounding water. Nutrient concentrations in the cavity are greater than the concentrations found in reef waters, especially for phosphate and vitamin B12. The source of these nutrients may be internal production by symbiotic bacteria and/or the remineralization of organic matter ingested or produced by the corals. The importance of the bacteria inhabiting the gastric cavity is supported by the finding of a high bacterial abundance and a specific bacterial community with affiliation to bacteria found in other corals and in the guts of other organisms. The findings presented here open a new area of research that may help us to understand the processes that maintain coral health.

Life's role in environmental regulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kump, L. R.

2016-12-01

The fusion of geological and biological perspectives on the operation of the Earth system is revolutionizing the way we think about the interactions of life and environment. No longer does life simply adapt to environmental change; those adaptations in turn modify the environment. Emerging from these interactions is the possibility of environmental regulation, the essence of Lovelock's Gaia Hypothesis. The long-term carbon cycle, for example, reflects a balance between the sources and sinks of carbon including volcanism, weathering of rocks exposed subaerially or on the seafloor, carbonate mineral formation, and the burial of organic carbon. The traditional view of these processes limits biological influences to the production and remineralization of organic matter and the formation of mineral skeletons. With the geobiological revolution we now also recognize the important role biological activity plays in accelerating weathering processes. Weathering rates depend on a variety of factors that we represent in numerical models with rate laws we adapt from inorganic chemistry. These can be characterized as zero-order (independent), first-order (linear), etc. and these functions are all monotonic. Yet one of the hallmark features of life is that it responds to changes in its environment parabolically: rates of physiological processes exhibit minima, optima, and maxima with respect to environment variables (temperature, pH, salinity, pO2, pCO2, . . .). Incorporation of physiological-style rate laws, and in general the explicit representation of life in models of Earth surface processes, demonstrates how the biota influence environmental stability on geologic time scales.

FT-Raman Spectroscopy Study of the Remineralization of Microwave-Exposed Artificial Caries.

PubMed

Kerr, J E; Arndt, G D; Byerly, D L; Rubinovitz, R; Theriot, C A; Stangel, I

2016-03-01

Dental caries is a microbially mediated disease that can result in significant tooth structure degradation. Although the preponderance of lesions is treated by surgical intervention, various strategies have been developed for its noninvasive management. Here, we use a novel approach for noninvasive treatment based on killing Streptococcus mutans with high-frequency microwave energy (ME). The rationale for this approach is based on modulating the pH of caries to a physiological state to enable spontaneous tooth remineralization from exogenous sources. In the present study, after demonstrating that ME kills >99% of S. mutans in planktonic cultures, 8 enamel slabs were harvested from a single tooth. Baseline mineral concentration at each of 12 points per slab was obtained using Fourier transform (FT)-Raman spectroscopy. Surface demineralization was subsequently promoted by subjecting all samples to an S. mutans acidic biofilm for 6 d. Half of the samples were then exposed to high-frequency ME, and the other half were used as controls. All samples were next subjected to a remineralization protocol consisting of two 45-min exposures per 24-h period in tryptic soy broth followed by immersion in a remineralizing solution for the remaining period. After 10 d, samples were removed and cleaned. FT-Raman spectra were again obtained at the same 12 points per sample, and the mineral concentration was determined. The effect of the remineralization protocol on the demineralized slabs was expressed as a percentage of mineral loss or gain relative to baseline. The mineral concentration of the microwave-exposed group collectively approached 100% of baseline values, while that of the control group was in the order of 40%. Differences between groups were significant (P = 0.001, Mann-Whitney U test). We concluded that killing of S. mutans by ME promotes effective remineralization of S. mutans-demineralized enamel compared with controls. © International & American Associations for Dental Research 2015.

Functional Remineralization of Dentin Lesions Using Polymer-Induced Liquid-Precursor Process

PubMed Central

Burwell, Anora K.; Thula-Mata, Taili; Gower, Laurie B.; Habeliz, Stefan; Kurylo, Michael; Ho, Sunita P.; Chien, Yung-Ching; Cheng, Jing; Cheng, Nancy F.; Gansky, Stuart A.; Marshall, Sally J.; Marshall, Grayson W.

2012-01-01

It was hypothesized that applying the polymer-induced liquid-precursor (PILP) system to artificial lesions would result in time-dependent functional remineralization of carious dentin lesions that restores the mechanical properties of demineralized dentin matrix. 140 µm deep artificial caries lesions were remineralized via the PILP process for 7–28 days at 37°C to determine temporal remineralization characteristics. Poly-L-aspartic acid (27 KDa) was used as the polymeric process-directing agent and was added to the remineralization solution at a calcium-to-phosphate ratio of 2.14 (mol/mol). Nanomechanical properties of hydrated artificial lesions had a low reduced elastic modulus (ER = 0.2 GPa) region extending about 70 μm into the lesion, with a sloped region to about 140 μm where values reached normal dentin (18–20 GPa). After 7 days specimens recovered mechanical properties in the sloped region by 51% compared to the artificial lesion. Between 7–14 days, recovery of the outer portion of the lesion continued to a level of about 10 GPa with 74% improvement. 28 days of PILP mineralization resulted in 91% improvement of ER compared to the artificial lesion. These differences were statistically significant as determined from change-point diagrams. Mineral profiles determined by micro x-ray computed tomography were shallower than those determined by nanoindentation, and showed similar changes over time, but full mineral recovery occurred after 14 days in both the outer and sloped portions of the lesion. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis showed similar morphologies that were distinct from normal dentin with a clear line of demarcation between the outer and sloped portions of the lesion. Transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction showed that the starting lesions contained some residual mineral in the outer portions, which exhibited poor crystallinity. During remineralization, intrafibrillar mineral increased and crystallinity improved with intrafibrillar mineral exhibiting the orientation found in normal dentin or bone. PMID:22719965

Surface pre-conditioning with bioactive glass air-abrasion can enhance enamel white spot lesion remineralization.

PubMed

Milly, Hussam; Festy, Frederic; Andiappan, Manoharan; Watson, Timothy F; Thompson, Ian; Banerjee, Avijit

2015-05-01

To evaluate the effect of pre-conditioning enamel white spot lesion (WSL) surfaces using bioactive glass (BAG) air-abrasion prior to remineralization therapy. Ninety human enamel samples with artificial WSLs were assigned to three WSL surface pre-conditioning groups (n=30): (a) air-abrasion with BAG-polyacrylic acid (PAA-BAG) powder, (b) acid-etching using 37% phosphoric acid gel (positive control) and (c) unconditioned (negative control). Each group was further divided into three subgroups according to the following remineralization therapy (n=10): (I) BAG paste (36 wt.% BAG), (II) BAG slurry (100 wt.% BAG) and (III) de-ionized water (negative control). The average surface roughness and the lesion step height compared to intra-specimen sound enamel reference points were analyzed using non-contact profilometry. Optical changes within the lesion subsurface compared to baseline scans were assessed using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Knoop microhardness evaluated the WSLs' mechanical properties. Raman micro-spectroscopy measured the v-(CO3)(2-)/v1-(PO4)(3-) ratio. Structural changes in the lesion were observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX). All comparisons were considered statistically significant if p<0.05. PAA-BAG air-abrasion removed 5.1 ± 0.6 μm from the lesion surface, increasing the WSL surface roughness. Pre-conditioning WSL surfaces with PAA-BAG air-abrasion reduced subsurface light scattering, increased the Knoop microhardness and the mineral content of the remineralized lesions (p<0.05). SEM-EDX revealed mineral depositions covering the lesion surface. BAG slurry resulted in a superior remineralization outcome, when compared to BAG paste. Pre-conditioning WSL surfaces with PAA-BAG air-abrasion modified the lesion surface physically and enhanced remineralization using BAG 45S5 therapy. Copyright © 2015 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nanotribological and Nanomechanical Properties Changes of Tooth After Bleaching and Remineralization in Wet Environment.

PubMed

Yu, Dandan; Gao, Shanshan; Min, Jie; Zhang, Qianqian; Gao, Shuai; Yu, Haiyang

2015-12-01

Teeth bleaching cases had increased with people's desire for oral aesthetic; however, bleached teeth would still undertake chewing actions and remineralizing process in saliva. Nanotribological and nanomechanical properties are proper displays for dental performance of bleached teeth. The purpose of the research was to reveal the effect of bleaching and remineralization on the nanotribological and nanomechanical properties of teeth in wet environment. The specimens were divided into four groups according to the bleaching products used: 12 % hydrogen peroxide (HP) (12HP group); 15 % carbamide peroxide (CP) (15CP group); 35 % CP (35CP group); and artificial saliva (control group). The nanotribological and nanomechanical property changes of tooth enamel after bleaching and remineralization were evaluated respectively by nanoscratch and nanoindentation tests in wet environment, imitating the wet oral environment. The morphology changes were evaluated by statistical parametric mapping (SPM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After bleaching, 12HP group and 15CP group showed increased scratch depth with more pile ups on the scratch edges, decreased nanohardness, and corroded surface appearance. While the 35CP group showed an increase in nanoscratch depth, no change in nanohardness and surface appearance was observed. The control group showed no change in these measurements. After remineralization, the three bleaching groups showed decreased nanoscratch depth and no change of nanohardness compared with the bleached teeth. And the control group showed no changes in nanotribological and nanomechanical properties. The nanotribological and nanomechanical properties of the 12HP group and 15CP group were affected by bleaching, but the nanotribological properties recovered partly and the nanomechanical properties got no change after 1 week of remineralization. As for the 35CP group, the nanotribological properties were influenced and the nanomechanical properties were not affected. These results remind us of taking actions to protect our teeth during bleaching.

Optimization of calcium concentration of saliva with phosphoryl oligosaccharides of calcium (POs-Ca) for enamel remineralization in vitro.

PubMed

Tanaka, Tomoko; Kobayashi, Takatsugu; Takii, Hiroshi; Kamasaka, Hiroshi; Ohta, Noboru; Matsuo, Tatsuhito; Yagi, Naoto; Kuriki, Takashi

2013-02-01

Phosphoryl oligosaccharides of calcium (POs-Ca) are highly soluble calcium source made from potato starch. The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal concentrations of POs-Ca for the remineralization of subsurface enamel lesions in vitro. Demineralized bovine enamel slabs (n=5) were remineralized in vitro for 24h at 37°C with artificial saliva (AS) containing 0-0.74% POs-Ca to adjust the Ca/P ratio to 0.4-3.0, then sectioned and analysed by transversal microradiography (TMR). The data were analysed by Scheffe's post hoc test. The Ca/P ratio with most remineralization was used to investigate the effect of calcium on enamel remineralization (n=11). The demineralized slabs were treated with AS with calcium-chloride- (CaCl2-) or POs-Ca with an identical calcium content, and sectioned for TMR and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXRD) analyses to evaluate the local changes in hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystal content. The data were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U-test. The highest mineral recovery rate resulted from addition of POs-Ca to adjust the Ca/P to 1.67. At this ratio, the mineral recovery rate for AS containing POs-Ca (24.2±7.4%) was significantly higher than that for AS containing CaCl2 (12.5±11.3%) (mean±SD, p<0.05). The recovery rate of HAp crystallites for AS containing POs-Ca (35.7±10.9%) was also significantly higher than that for AS containing CaCl2 (23.1±13.5%) (p<0.05). The restored crystallites were oriented in the same directions as in sound enamel. POs-Ca effectively enhances enamel remineralization with ordered HAp at a Ca/P ratio of 1.67. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Impact of Nano Hydroxyapatite, Nano Silver Fluoride and Sodium Fluoride Varnish on Primary Teeth Enamel Remineralization: An In Vitro Study

PubMed Central

Nozari, Ali; Ajami, Shabnam; Rafiei, Azade

2017-01-01

Introduction Dental caries is still prevailing worldwide, although different anti caries products have been introduced. Each remineralizing agent has its own shortcomings. Therefore, looking for new agents to have benefits of previous ones with lesser side effects is worthwhile. Aim To determine the remineralization ability of NaF varnish, nano-Hydroxyapatite Serum (n-HAP) and Nano Silver Fluoride (NSF) on enamel of primary anterior teeth. Materials and Methods Incipient caries were induced in primary sound anterior teeth by storing each specimen in demineralization solution for 72 hours. Then they were randomly divided into four groups of 15 samples each: (1) NaF varnish; (2) n-HAP repairing serum; (3) NSF and (4) no treatment (control). Surface Microhardness (SMH) was assessed with Vickers micro hardness tester before and after demineralization and after 10 days of pH-cycling. A total of 12 random specimens from groups 1 to 4 (3 random samples of each group) were examined by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The SMH values were analysed with one-way and repeated measures ANOVA. Level of significance was set at p=0.05. Results Post lesion SMH values significantly decreased in all groups (p<0.001). Post treatment SMH values significantly increased in comparison to post lesion ones (p<0.001) except for control group which was not different statistically (p=0.86). The highest SMH values were observed in NSF group (mean 222.90 ± 28.79). Statistically significant differences were shown between all groups (p<0.05). However, NaF varnish and n-HAP groups were not statistically different (p=0.165). AFM images demonstrated protective layers in all treated groups. Conclusion The results of this in vitro study suggest that NSF could have the greatest remineralization efficacy. NaF varnish and n-HAP serum were similar in remineralizing initial caries. Future clinical studies are recommended for selection of the most appropriate remineralizing agent in primary teeth. PMID:29207844

Nanotribological and Nanomechanical Properties Changes of Tooth After Bleaching and Remineralization in Wet Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Dandan; Gao, Shanshan; Min, Jie; Zhang, Qianqian; Gao, Shuai; Yu, Haiyang

2015-12-01

Teeth bleaching cases had increased with people's desire for oral aesthetic; however, bleached teeth would still undertake chewing actions and remineralizing process in saliva. Nanotribological and nanomechanical properties are proper displays for dental performance of bleached teeth. The purpose of the research was to reveal the effect of bleaching and remineralization on the nanotribological and nanomechanical properties of teeth in wet environment. The specimens were divided into four groups according to the bleaching products used: 12 % hydrogen peroxide (HP) (12HP group); 15 % carbamide peroxide (CP) (15CP group); 35 % CP (35CP group); and artificial saliva (control group). The nanotribological and nanomechanical property changes of tooth enamel after bleaching and remineralization were evaluated respectively by nanoscratch and nanoindentation tests in wet environment, imitating the wet oral environment. The morphology changes were evaluated by statistical parametric mapping (SPM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After bleaching, 12HP group and 15CP group showed increased scratch depth with more pile ups on the scratch edges, decreased nanohardness, and corroded surface appearance. While the 35CP group showed an increase in nanoscratch depth, no change in nanohardness and surface appearance was observed. The control group showed no change in these measurements. After remineralization, the three bleaching groups showed decreased nanoscratch depth and no change of nanohardness compared with the bleached teeth. And the control group showed no changes in nanotribological and nanomechanical properties. The nanotribological and nanomechanical properties of the 12HP group and 15CP group were affected by bleaching, but the nanotribological properties recovered partly and the nanomechanical properties got no change after 1 week of remineralization. As for the 35CP group, the nanotribological properties were influenced and the nanomechanical properties were not affected. These results remind us of taking actions to protect our teeth during bleaching.

Beyond Rayleigh Distillation: Reconstructing Glacial Nutrient Cycles using a Seasonal Model of the Southern Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kemeny, P. C.; Kast, E.; Fawcett, S. E.; Hain, M.; Sigman, D. M.

2016-12-01

The nitrogen (N) isotope ratios of diatom-bound organic matter recovered from Southern Ocean sediment cores have been used to investigate N cycling and the global carbon cycle over glacial-interglacial transitions. Increases in diatom-bound 15N/14N (δ15N) and decreases in export production have qualitatively been interpreted to reflect elevated nitrate (NO3-) consumption and decreased nutrient supply during glacial intervals; however, studies have yet to quantitatively relate paleoceanographic δ15N records to the surface NO3- concentration of ancient oceans. Furthermore, recent studies of the N and oxygen (O) isotope ratios of seawater NO3- reveal that seasonal processes may impact the isotopic signal of exported organic matter. The connection between diatom-bound δ15N and paleoceanographic NO3- availability is explored using a seasonally-resolved 1-dimension model of the Southern Ocean upper water column. The model parameterizes summer and winter physical and biogeochemical processes in the surface mixed layer and the temperature minimum layer. When calibrated to modern conditions, the model reproduces observed deviations from Rayleigh dynamics in the mixed layer, which result from a combination of summertime remineralization, late-summer N recycling, and wintertime nitrification. In glacial simulations, we observe an increase in diatom-bound δ15N that results dominantly from enhanced summertime NO3- consumption, as opposed to resulting from a rise in the δ15N of wintertime NO3-. Yet wintertime mixed layer (and thus initial spring/summer) NO3- concentration is greatly reduced under ice age conditions, such that export production, which has been observed to be lower during glacial intervals, was nevertheless able to consume almost all of the gross nitrate supply. The model suggests that observed differences in δ15N between centric and pennate diatom assemblages can be explained by the near-complete consumption of NO3- in the ice age summer mixed layer.

In vitro remineralization of enamel subsurface lesions and assessment of dentine tubule occlusion from NaF dentifrices with and without calcium.

PubMed

Prabhakar, A R; Manojkumar, A Jaiswal; Basappa, N

2013-01-01

Currently, fluoride is the most effective preventive treatment for remineralization of incipient carious lesions and dentinal hypersensitivity due to wasting disorders. The products containing fluoride, calcium and phosphate are also claim to remineralize early, non-cavitated enamel demineralization. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the efficacy of two such products, Tooth Mousse and Clinpro tooth crème on remineralization and tubule occluding ability with 5000ppm fluoride-containing toothpaste. Thirty third molar teeth were placed in demineralizing solution for 5 days such that only a window of 1mm x 5mm was exposed to the environment to produce artificial caries-like lesions and randomly assigned to three groups: Group I, 5000ppm sodium fluoride; Group II, GC MI paste plus and Group III, Clinpro tooth crème. Axial longitudinal sections of 140-160 μm of each tooth which included the artificial carious lesion taken and were photographed under polarized light microscope. The demineralized areas were then quantified with a computerized imaging system. The experimental materials were applied onto the tooth sections as a topical coating and subjected to pH-cycling for 28 days. To evaluate tubule occlusion ability, thirty dentin specimens of 2mm thickness were obtained from cervical third of sound third molars. Specimens were ultrasonicated and etched with 6% citric acid for 2 minutes to simulate the hypersensitive dentin. Specimens were randomly divided into above mentioned three groups (n=10). The test agents were brushed over the specimens with an electric toothbrush, prepared and observed under Scanning Electron Microscope for calculation of the percentage of occluded tubules. Group I showed a significantly greater percentage of remineralization than Group III and Group II. Comparison of the remineralization potential between group II and group III were not significant.In case of dentine hypersensitivity, Group I and group III showed greater percentage of tubule occlusion ability than Group II. Intergroup comparison of the tubule occlusion potential of group I and group III were not significant. Within the limitations of our study, sodium fluoride showed relatively greatest remineralizing and dentinal tubule occlusion property when compared with GC MI paste plus and Clinpro tooth crème.

Untangling biogeochemical processes from the impact of ocean circulation: First insight on the Mediterranean dissolved barium dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jullion, L.; Jacquet, S. H. M.; Tanhua, T.

2017-08-01

Based on an unprecedented dissolved barium (D_Ba) data set collected in the Mediterranean Sea during a zonal transect between the Lebanon coast and Gibraltar (M84/3 cruise, April 2011), we decompose the D_Ba distribution to isolate the contribution of biogeochemical processes from the impact of the oceanic circulation. We have built a simple parametric water mass analysis (Parametric Optimum Multiparameter analysis) to reconstruct the contribution of the different Mediterranean water masses to the thermohaline structure. These water mass fractions have then been used to successfully reconstruct the background vertical gradient of D_Ba reflecting the balance between the large-scale oceanic circulation and the biological activity over long time scales. Superimposed on the background field, several D_Ba anomalies have been identified. Positive anomalies are associated with topographic obstacles and may be explained by the dissolution of particulate biogenic barium (P_Ba barite) of material resuspended by the local currents. The derived dissolution rates range from 0.06 to 0.21 μmol m-2 d-1. Negative anomalies are present in the mesopelagic region of the western and eastern basins (except in the easternmost Levantine basin) as well as in the abyssal western basin. This represents the first quantification of the nonconservative component of the D_Ba signal. These mesopelagic anomalies could reflect the subtraction of D_Ba during P_Ba barite formation occurring during organic carbon remineralization. The deep anomalies may potentially reflect the transport of material toward the deep sea during winter deep convection and the subsequent remineralization. The D_Ba subtraction fluxes range from -0.07 to -1.28 μmol m-2 d-1. D_Ba-derived fluxes of P_Ba barite (up to 0.21 μmol m-2 d-1) and organic carbon (13 to 29 mmol C m-2 d-1) are in good agreement with other independent measurements suggesting that D_Ba can help constrain remineralization horizons. This study highlights the importance of quantifying the impact of the large-scale oceanic circulation in order to better understand the biogeochemical cycling of elements and to build reliable geochemical proxies.

Modulated regeneration of acid-etched human tooth enamel by a functionalized dendrimer that is an analog of amelogenin.

PubMed

Chen, Mei; Yang, Jiaojiao; Li, Jiyao; Liang, Kunneng; He, Libang; Lin, Zaifu; Chen, Xingyu; Ren, Xiaokang; Li, Jianshu

2014-10-01

In the bioinspired repair process of tooth enamel, it is important to simultaneously mimic the organic-matrix-induced biomineralization and increase the binding strength at the remineralization interface. In this work, a fourth-generation polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM) is modified by dimethyl phosphate to obtain phosphate-terminated dendrimer (PAMAM-PO3H2) since it has a similar dimensional scale and peripheral functionalities to that of amelogenin, which plays important role in the natural development process of enamel. Its phosphate group has stronger affinity for calcium ion than carboxyl group and can simultaneously provide strong hydroxyapatite (HA)-binding capability. The MTT assay demonstrates the low cytotoxicity of PAMAM-PO3H2. Adsorption tests indicate that PAMAM-PO3H2 can be tightly adsorbed on the human tooth enamel. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction are used to analyze the remineralization process. After being incubated in artificial saliva for 3weeks, there is a newly generated HA layer of 11.23μm thickness on the acid-etched tooth enamel treated by PAMAM-PO3H2, while the thickness for the carboxyl-terminated one (PAMAM-COOH) is only 6.02μm. PAMAM-PO3H2 can regulate the remineralization process to form ordered new crystals oriented along the Z-axis and produce an enamel prism-like structure that is similar to that of natural tooth enamel. The animal experiment also demonstrates that PAMAM-PO3H2 can induce significant HA regeneration in the oral cavity of rats. Thus PAMAM-PO3H2 shows great potential as a biomimetic restorative material for human tooth enamel. Copyright © 2014 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Prokaryotic degradation of high molecular weight dissolved organic matter in the deep-sea waters of NW Mediterranean Sea under in situ temperature and pressure conditions during contrasted hydrological conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamburini, C.; Boutrif, M.; Garel, M.; Sempéré, R.; Repeta, D.; Charriere, B.; Nerini, D.; Panagiotopoulos, C.

2016-02-01

The contribution of the semi-labile dissolved organic carbon (DOC) to the global prokaryotic production has been assessed in very few previous studies. Some experiments show rapid utilization of semi-reactive DOC by prokaryotes, while other experiments show almost no utilization at all. However, all these studies did not take into account the role of hydrostatic pressure for the degradation of organic matter. In this study, we investigate (1) the degradation of "natural" high molecular weight DOM HMW-DOM (obtained after ultrafiltration) and (2) the uptake of labeled extracellular polymeric substances (3H-EPS) incubated with deep-sea water samples (2000 m-depth, NW Mediterranean Sea) under in situ pressure conditions (HP) and under atmospheric compression after decompression of the deep samples (ATM) during stratified and mixed water conditions (deep sea convection). Our results indicated that during HP incubations DOC exhibited the highest degradation rates (kHP DOC = 0.82 d-1) compared to the ATM conditions were no or few degradation was observed (kATM DOC= 0.007 d-1). An opposite trend was observed for the HP incubations from mixed deep water masses. HP incubation measurements displayed the lowest DOC degradation (kHP DOC=0.031 d-1) compared to the ATM conditions (kATM DOC=0.62 d-1). These results imply the presence of allochthonous prokaryotic cells in deep-sea samples after a winter water mass convection. Same trends were found using 3H-EPS uptake rates which were higher at HP than at ATM conditions during stratified period conditions whereas the opposite patterns were observed during deep-sea convection event. Moreover, we found than Euryarchaea were the main contributors to 3H-EPS assimilation at 2000m-depth, representing 58% of the total cells actively assimilating 3H-EPS. This study demonstrates that remineralization rates of semi-labile DOC in deep NW Med. Sea are controlled by the prokaryotic communities, which are influenced by the hydrological conditions of the water column.

Optical properties and bioavailability of dissolved organic matter along a flow-path continuum from soil pore waters to the Kolyma River mainstem, East Siberia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frey, Karen E.; Sobczak, William V.; Mann, Paul J.; Holmes, Robert M.

2016-04-01

The Kolyma River in northeast Siberia is among the six largest Arctic rivers and drains a region underlain by vast deposits of Holocene-aged peat and Pleistocene-aged loess known as yedoma, most of which is currently stored in ice-rich permafrost throughout the region. These peat and yedoma deposits are important sources of dissolved organic matter (DOM) to inland waters that in turn play a significant role in the transport and ultimate remineralization of organic carbon to CO2 and CH4 along the terrestrial flow-path continuum. The turnover and fate of terrigenous DOM during offshore transport largely depends upon the composition and amount of carbon released to inland and coastal waters. Here, we measured the ultraviolet-visible optical properties of chromophoric DOM (CDOM) from a geographically extensive collection of waters spanning soil pore waters, streams, rivers, and the Kolyma River mainstem throughout a ˜ 250 km transect of the northern Kolyma River basin. During the period of study, CDOM absorption coefficients were found to be robust proxies for the concentration of DOM, whereas additional CDOM parameters such as spectral slopes (S) were found to be useful indicators of DOM quality along the flow path. In particular, the spectral slope ratio (SR) of CDOM demonstrated statistically significant differences between all four water types and tracked changes in the concentration of bioavailable DOC, suggesting that this parameter may be suitable for clearly discriminating shifts in organic matter characteristics among water types along the full flow-path continuum across this landscape. However, despite our observations of downstream shifts in DOM composition, we found a relatively constant proportion of DOC that was bioavailable ( ˜ 3-6 % of total DOC) regardless of relative water residence time along the flow path. This may be a consequence of two potential scenarios allowing for continual processing of organic material within the system, namely (a) aquatic microorganisms are acclimating to a downstream shift in DOM composition and/or (b) photodegradation is continually generating labile DOM for continued microbial processing of DOM along the flow-path continuum. Without such processes, we would otherwise expect to see a declining fraction of bioavailable DOC downstream with increasing residence time of water in the system. With ongoing and future permafrost degradation, peat and yedoma deposits throughout the northeast Siberian region will become more hydrologically active, providing greater amounts of DOM to fluvial networks and ultimately to the Arctic Ocean. The ability to rapidly and comprehensively monitor shifts in the quantity and quality of DOM across the landscape is therefore critical for understanding potential future feedbacks within the Arctic carbon cycle.

Transient exposure to oxygen or nitrate reveals ecophysiology of fermentative and sulfate‐reducing benthic microbial populations

PubMed Central

Saad, Sainab; Bhatnagar, Srijak; Tegetmeyer, Halina E.; Geelhoed, Jeanine S.; Strous, Marc

2017-01-01

Summary For the anaerobic remineralization of organic matter in marine sediments, sulfate reduction coupled to fermentation plays a key role. Here, we enriched sulfate‐reducing/fermentative communities from intertidal sediments under defined conditions in continuous culture. We transiently exposed the cultures to oxygen or nitrate twice daily and investigated the community response. Chemical measurements, provisional genomes and transcriptomic profiles revealed trophic networks of microbial populations. Sulfate reducers coexisted with facultative nitrate reducers or aerobes enabling the community to adjust to nitrate or oxygen pulses. Exposure to oxygen and nitrate impacted the community structure, but did not suppress fermentation or sulfate reduction as community functions, highlighting their stability under dynamic conditions. The most abundant sulfate reducer in all cultures, related to Desulfotignum balticum, appeared to have coupled both acetate‐ and hydrogen oxidation to sulfate reduction. We describe a novel representative of the widespread uncultured candidate phylum Fermentibacteria (formerly candidate division Hyd24‐12). For this strictly anaerobic, obligate fermentative bacterium, we propose the name ‘USabulitectum silens’ and identify it as a partner of sulfate reducers in marine sediments. Overall, we provide insights into the function of fermentative, as well as sulfate‐reducing microbial communities and their adaptation to a dynamic environment. PMID:28836729

Coastal sources, sinks and strong organic complexation of dissolved cobalt within the US North Atlantic GEOTRACES transect GA03

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noble, Abigail E.; Ohnemus, Daniel C.; Hawco, Nicholas J.; Lam, Phoebe J.; Saito, Mak A.

2017-06-01

Cobalt is the scarcest of metallic micronutrients and displays a complex biogeochemical cycle. This study examines the distribution, chemical speciation, and biogeochemistry of dissolved cobalt during the US North Atlantic GEOTRACES transect expeditions (GA03/3_e), which took place in the fall of 2010 and 2011. Two major subsurface sources of cobalt to the North Atlantic were identified. The more prominent of the two was a large plume of cobalt emanating from the African coast off the eastern tropical North Atlantic coincident with the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) likely due to reductive dissolution, biouptake and remineralization, and aeolian dust deposition. The occurrence of this plume in an OMZ with oxygen above suboxic levels implies a high threshold for persistence of dissolved cobalt plumes. The other major subsurface source came from Upper Labrador Seawater, which may carry high cobalt concentrations due to the interaction of this water mass with resuspended sediment at the western margin or from transport further upstream. Minor sources of cobalt came from dust, coastal surface waters and hydrothermal systems along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The full depth section of cobalt chemical speciation revealed near-complete complexation in surface waters, even within regions of high dust deposition. However, labile cobalt observed below the euphotic zone demonstrated that strong cobalt-binding ligands were not present in excess of the total cobalt concentration there, implying that mesopelagic labile cobalt was sourced from the remineralization of sinking organic matter. In the upper water column, correlations were observed between total cobalt and phosphate, and between labile cobalt and phosphate, demonstrating a strong biological influence on cobalt cycling. Along the western margin off the North American coast, this correlation with phosphate was no longer observed and instead a relationship between cobalt and salinity was observed, reflecting the importance of coastal input processes on cobalt distributions. In deep waters, both total and labile cobalt concentrations were lower than in intermediate depth waters, demonstrating that scavenging may remove labile cobalt from the water column. Total and labile cobalt distributions were also compared to a previously published South Atlantic GEOTRACES-compliant zonal transect (CoFeMUG, GAc01) to discern regional biogeochemical differences. Together, these Atlantic sectional studies highlight the dynamic ecological stoichiometry of total and labile cobalt. As increasing anthropogenic use and subsequent release of cobalt poses the potential to overpower natural cobalt signals in the oceans, it is more important than ever to establish a baseline understanding of cobalt distributions in the ocean.

Sodium fluoride mouthrinse used twice daily increased incipient caries lesion remineralization in an in situ model.

PubMed

Songsiripradubboon, Siriporn; Hamba, Hidenori; Trairatvorakul, Chutima; Tagami, Junji

2014-03-01

To investigate the remineralizing effects of fluoride mouthrinses used at different times and frequency in addition to fluoride toothpaste. A randomized crossover single blinded study comprised 4 experimental phases of 21 days each. Twelve orthodontic volunteers were fixed with an orthodontic bracket containing an artificial carious enamel slab, which was from the same tooth in all 4 phases, and were randomly assigned to the following groups: (1) brushing with F toothpaste 2× per day (F- brush), (2) F- brush+rinsing with 0.05% NaF (F- rinse) after lunch, (3) F- brush+F-rinse before bedtime, and (4) F- brush+F- rinse 2× per day. Mean mineral gain after each phase was determined from mineral density profiles obtained using Micro-CT. The mean mineral gain in all treatments with F- brush and F-rinse were significantly greater than those in F- brush (p<0.05). Moreover F- rinse 2× per day increased lesion remineralization more than F- rinse once a day. The twice-daily use of 0.05% NaF mouthrinse combined with twice-daily regular use of fluoride toothpaste resulted in the greatest remineralization of incipient caries. These data indicate that rinsing frequency is a factor affecting the effectiveness of fluoride mouthrinse. The rinsing frequency of NaF mouthrinse, when used with fluoride toothpaste, also affects the remineralization. This finding, if confirmed by a clinical study, would lead to a new recommendation for fluoride mouthrinse used in high caries risk patients who could benefit from using it twice a day. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Using Biomimetic Polymers in Place of Noncollagenous Proteins to Achieve Functional Remineralization of Dentin Tissues

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chien, Yung-Ching; Tao, Jinhui; Saeki, Kuniko

In calcified tissues such as bones and teeth, mineralization is regulated by an extracellular matrix, which includes non-collagenous proteins (NCP). This natural process has been adapted or mimicked to restore tissues following physical damage or demineralization by using polyanionic acids in place of NCPs, but the remineralized tissues fail to fully recover their mechanical properties. Here we show that pre-treatment with certain amphiphilic peptoids, a class of peptide-like polymers consisting of N-substituted glycines that have defined monomer sequences, enhances ordering and mineralization of collagen and induces functional remineralization of dentin lesions in vitro. In the vicinity of dentin tubules, themore » newly formed apatite nano-crystals are co-aligned with the c-axis parallel to the tubular periphery and recovery of tissue ultrastructure is accompanied by development of high mechanical strength. The observed effects are highly sequence-dependent with alternating polar and non-polar groups leading to positive outcomes while diblock sequences have no effect. The observations suggest aromatic groups interact with the collagen while the hydrophilic side chains bind the mineralizing constituents and highlight the potential of synthetic sequence-defined biomimetic polymers to serve as NCP mimics in tissue remineralization.« less

Remineralization of permeate water by calcite bed in the Daoura's plant (south of Morocco)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biyoune, M. G.; Atbir, A.; Bari, H.; Hassnaoui, L.; Mongach, E.; Khadir, A.; Boukbir, L.; Bellajrou, R.; Elhadek, M.

2017-04-01

To face water shortage and to fight drought, the National office of Water and Electricity (ONEE) carried out a program aiming at constructing several desalination stations of seawater in the South of Morocco. However, the final product water after desalination (osmosis water) has turned out to be unbalanced and has an aggressive character. Therefore, a post-treatment of remineralization is necessary to recover the calco-carbonic equilibrium of water and to protect the distribution network from corrosion degradation. Thereby, our work aims to examine the performance of the remineralization used in Daoura plant by the calcite bed in the absence of carbon dioxide CO2 (without acidification), we have followed many parameters indicating the performance of this technique adopted such as pH, TAC (hydroxide, carbonate and bicarbonate content), Ca content, Langelier saturation index (LSI), Larson index (LR). The results obtained show that this technique adopted in Daoura plant brings to water back its entire calco-carbonic balance to measure up to the Moroccan standards of drinking water. Generally, the exploitation of the calcite bed technique for remineralization is simple, easy and it does not require any major efforts or precautions.

Antibacterial and remineralization effects of orthodontic bonding agents containing bioactive glass

PubMed Central

Kim, Dong-Hyun; Song, Chang Weon; Yoon, Seog-Young; Kim, Se-Yeon; Na, Hee Sam; Chung, Jin

2018-01-01

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanical and biological properties of orthodontic bonding agents containing silver- or zinc-doped bioactive glass (BAG) and determine the antibacterial and remineralization effects of these agents. Methods BAG was synthesized using the alkali-mediated solgel method. Orthodontic bonding agents containing BAG were prepared by mixing BAG with flowable resin. Transbond™ XT (TXT) and Charmfil™ Flow (CF) were used as controls. Ion release, cytotoxicity, antibacterial properties, the shear bond strength, and the adhesive remnant index were evaluated. To assess the remineralization properties of BAG, micro-computed tomography was performed after pH cycling. Results The BAG-containing bonding agents showed no noticeable cytotoxicity and suppressed bacterial growth. When these bonding agents were used, demineralization after pH cycling began approximately 200 to 300 µm away from the bracket. On the other hand, when CF and TXT were used, all surfaces that were not covered by the adhesive were demineralized after pH cycling. Conclusions Our findings suggest that orthodontic bonding agents containing silver- or zinc-doped BAG have stronger antibacterial and remineralization effects compared with conventional orthodontic adhesives; thus, they are suitable for use in orthodontic practice. PMID:29732302

Atomic force microscopic comparison of remineralization with casein-phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate paste, acidulated phosphate fluoride gel and iron supplement in primary and permanent teeth: An in-vitro study

PubMed Central

Agrawal, Nikita; Shashikiran, N. D.; Singla, Shilpy; Ravi, K. S.; Kulkarni, Vinaya Kumar

2014-01-01

Context: Demineralization of tooth by erosion is caused by frequent contact between the tooth surface and acids present in soft drinks. Aim: The present study objective was to evaluate the remineralization potential of casein-phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) paste, 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel and iron supplement on dental erosion by soft drinks in human primary and permanent enamel using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Materials and Methods: Specimens were made from extracted 15 primary and 15 permanent teeth which were randomly divided into three treatment groups: CPP-ACP paste, APF gel and iron supplement. AFM was used for baseline readings followed by demineralization and remineralization cycle. Results and Statistics: Almost all group of samples showed remineralization that is a reduction in surface roughness which was higher with CPP-ACP paste. Statistical analysis was performed using by one-way ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U-test with P < 0.05. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the application of CPP-ACP paste is effective on preventing dental erosion from soft drinks. PMID:24808700

In Situ Carbon and Sulfur Isotope Analysis of Archean Organic Matter and Pyrite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williford, K. H.; Ushikubo, T.; LePot, K.; Kitajima, K.; Spicuzza, M. J.; Valley, J. W.; Hallman, C.; Summons, R.; Eigenbrode, J. L.

2012-01-01

Stable isotopic compositions of biologically important elements (e.g., C and S) in sedimentary rocks are valuable biosignatures to the extent that they indicate the presence and variable expression of microbial metabolisms in space and time. Strong interactions between the carbon and sulfur cycles (e.g., via organic matter remineralization during microbial sulfate reduction) make coordinated, in situ C and S isotope analysis by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) a particularly powerful tool. In rocks ranging in age from 2.7-2.5 Ga, expansions in the ranges of delta C-13 of organic matter and delta S-34 of pyrite likely reflect the increasing influence of oxygenic photosynthesis in the surface ocean (as well as methane and sulfur metabolisms in deeper waters), whereas the large range of mass independent sulfur isotope fractionation (Delta S-33) suggests that the atmosphere remained anoxic until approx 2.4 Gyr ago. We report in situ delta C-13 measurements of organic matter in the approx 2.7-2.6 Ga Carawine Dolomite, Marra Mamba Iron Formation, and Jeerinah, Wittenoom, and Tumbiana Formations, as well as the approx 2.5 Ga Mount McRae Shale. We also report in situ delta S-24 and Delta S-33 measurements of pyrite associated with organic matter in a subset of these samples. In a single square cm sample of the Tumbiana Formation with bulk delta C-13(sub org) of -49.7% (VPDB), two distinct kerogen types have delta C-13 values, measured in situ, consistent with oxygenic photosynthesis (-33%) and methane metabolism (-52%). In a sample from the ABDP-9 core, radiobitumen associated with a uraniferous mineral grain is C-13-enriched by 8% (-26.8%0) relative to average in situ kerogen (-34.9%0) and similar in delta C-13 to solvent extractable hydrocarbons from the Mount McRae Shale (avg delta C-13 = -27.1 %). Average reproducibility for delta C-13 was 0.4% (2 SD) using a 6 micron spot and 0.8% using a 3 micron spot. In situ sulfur isotope analyses of 33 authigenic pyrite grains in 3 samples of the ABDP-9 core using a 10 micron spot (2 SD reproducibility = 0.4% for delta S-34 and -0.1% for Delta S-33) show a range of 28.1 % in delta S-34 (-10.3 to 17.8%) and 13.3%0 in Delta S-33 (-3.8 to 9.5%), whereas the range from 132 bulk analyses across 84 m of core is 19.4% for delta S-34 and 11.5% for Delta S-33. Coordinated, in situ carbon and sulfur isotope analyses in one ABDP-9 sample are shown. In situ values from this kerogen-pyrite association are within 0.1% of the bulk value in the case of delta C-13 and higher by several permil in the case of delta S-34 and Delta S-33. Coordinated in situ carbon and sulfur isotope analyses in rocks deposited during key intervals of environmental change (e.g., the Great Oxidation Event) can refine our understanding of the mode and tempo of change. In Earth's oldest sedimentary rocks, and in extraterrestrial samples, these coordinated in situ analyses may reveal biosignatures in the form of isotopic correlations at the scale of individual microorganisms and their microhabitats.

Invasive aquarium fish transform ecosystem nutrient dynamics

PubMed Central

Capps, Krista A.; Flecker, Alexander S.

2013-01-01

Trade of ornamental aquatic species is a multi-billion dollar industry responsible for the introduction of myriad fishes into novel ecosystems. Although aquarium invaders have the potential to alter ecosystem function, regulation of the trade is minimal and little is known about the ecosystem-level consequences of invasion for all but a small number of aquarium species. Here, we demonstrate how ecological stoichiometry can be used as a framework to identify aquarium invaders with the potential to modify ecosystem processes. We show that explosive growth of an introduced population of stoichiometrically unique, phosphorus (P)-rich catfish in a river in southern Mexico significantly transformed stream nutrient dynamics by altering nutrient storage and remineralization rates. Notably, changes varied between elements; the P-rich fish acted as net sinks of P and net remineralizers of nitrogen. Results from this study suggest species-specific stoichiometry may be insightful for understanding how invasive species modify nutrient dynamics when their population densities and elemental composition differ substantially from native organisms. Risk analysis for potential aquarium imports should consider species traits such as body stoichiometry, which may increase the likelihood that an invasion will alter the structure and function of ecosystems. PMID:23966642

Recovery of Crystallographic Texture in Remineralized Dental Enamel

PubMed Central

Siddiqui, Samera; Anderson, Paul; Al-Jawad, Maisoon

2014-01-01

Dental caries is the most prevalent disease encountered by people of all ages around the world. Chemical changes occurring in the oral environment during the caries process alter the crystallography and microstructure of dental enamel resulting in loss of mechanical function. Little is known about the crystallographic effects of demineralization and remineralization. The motivation for this study was to develop understanding of the caries process at the crystallographic level in order to contribute towards a long term solution. In this study synchrotron X-ray diffraction combined with scanning electron microscopy and scanning microradiography have been used to correlate enamel crystallography, microstructure and mineral concentration respectively in enamel affected by natural caries and following artificial demineralization and remineralization regimes. In particular, the extent of destruction and re-formation of this complex structure has been measured. 2D diffraction patterns collected at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility were used to quantify changes in the preferred orientation (crystallographic texture) and position of the (002) Bragg reflection within selected regions of interest in each tooth slice, and then correlated with the microstructure and local mineral mass. The results revealed that caries and artificial demineralization cause a large reduction in crystallographic texture which is coupled with the loss of mineral mass. Remineralization restores the texture to the original level seen in healthy enamel and restores mineral density. The results also showed that remineralization promotes ordered formation of new crystallites and growth of pre-existing crystallites which match the preferred orientation of healthy enamel. Combining microstructural and crystallographic characterization aids the understanding of caries and erosion processes and assists in the progress towards developing therapeutic treatments to allow affected enamel to regain structural integrity. PMID:25360532

Recovery of crystallographic texture in remineralized dental enamel.

PubMed

Siddiqui, Samera; Anderson, Paul; Al-Jawad, Maisoon

2014-01-01

Dental caries is the most prevalent disease encountered by people of all ages around the world. Chemical changes occurring in the oral environment during the caries process alter the crystallography and microstructure of dental enamel resulting in loss of mechanical function. Little is known about the crystallographic effects of demineralization and remineralization. The motivation for this study was to develop understanding of the caries process at the crystallographic level in order to contribute towards a long term solution. In this study synchrotron X-ray diffraction combined with scanning electron microscopy and scanning microradiography have been used to correlate enamel crystallography, microstructure and mineral concentration respectively in enamel affected by natural caries and following artificial demineralization and remineralization regimes. In particular, the extent of destruction and re-formation of this complex structure has been measured. 2D diffraction patterns collected at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility were used to quantify changes in the preferred orientation (crystallographic texture) and position of the (002) Bragg reflection within selected regions of interest in each tooth slice, and then correlated with the microstructure and local mineral mass. The results revealed that caries and artificial demineralization cause a large reduction in crystallographic texture which is coupled with the loss of mineral mass. Remineralization restores the texture to the original level seen in healthy enamel and restores mineral density. The results also showed that remineralization promotes ordered formation of new crystallites and growth of pre-existing crystallites which match the preferred orientation of healthy enamel. Combining microstructural and crystallographic characterization aids the understanding of caries and erosion processes and assists in the progress towards developing therapeutic treatments to allow affected enamel to regain structural integrity.

In vitro enamel remineralization capacity of composite resins containing sodium trimetaphosphate and fluoride.

PubMed

Tiveron, Adelisa Rodolfo Ferreira; Delbem, Alberto Carlos Botazzo; Gaban, Gabriel; Sassaki, Kikue Takebayashi; Pedrini, Denise

2015-11-01

This study evaluated the in vitro enamel remineralization capacity of experimental composite resins containing sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP) combined or not with fluoride (F). Bovine enamel slabs were selected upon analysis of initial surface hardness (SH1) and after induction of artificial carious lesions (SH2). Experimental resins were as follows: resin C (control—no sodium fluoride (NaF) or TMP), resin F (with 1.6% NaF), resin TMP (with 14.1% TMP), and resin TMP/F (with NaF and TMP). Resin samples were made and attached to enamel slabs (n = 12 slabs per material). Those specimens (resin/enamel slab) were subjected to pH cycling to promote remineralization, and then final surface hardness (SH3) was measured to calculate the percentage of surface hardness recovery (%SH). The integrated recovery of subsurface hardness (ΔKHN) and F concentration in enamel were also determined. Data was analyzed by ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls test (p < 0.05). Resins F and TMP/F showed similar SH3 values (p = 0.478) and %SH (p = 0.336) and differed significantly from the other resins (p < 0.001). Considering ΔKHN values, resin TMP/F presented the lowest area of lesion (p < 0.001). The presence of F on enamel was different among the fluoridated resins (p = 0.042), but higher than in the other resins (p < 0.001). The addition of TMP to a fluoridated composite resin enhanced its capacity for remineralization of enamel in vitro. The combination of two agents with action on enamel favored remineralization, suggesting that composite resins containing sodium trimetaphosphate and fluoride could be indicated for clinical procedures in situations with higher cariogenic challenges.

Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate remineralization of primary teeth early enamel lesions.

PubMed

Zhou, Chunhua; Zhang, Dongliang; Bai, Yuxing; Li, Song

2014-01-01

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a serious problem that progresses rapidly and often goes untreated. Current traumatic treatments may be replaced by safe and effective remineralization at very early stages. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the remineralization effects of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) paste on enamel lesions by assessing ultrastructure, nanomechanical properties, and compound and elemental analysis. Enamel specimens from 6-year-old children were divided into groups: (1) native enamel; (2) water as negative control; (3) 500ppm NaF as positive control; and (4-7) CPP-ACP paste for 4, 8, 12, and 24h, as test groups. Ultrastructure and roughness were observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM); nanohardness and elastic modulus were measured by nanoindentation; compound and crystal size of enamel surface patterns were investigated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). An electron microprobe (EPMA) was used for element analysis. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The CPP-ACP paste repaired the microstructure of enamel, including prism and interprism, through significantly increased hydroxyapatite crystal size (12.06±0.21nm) and Ca/P molar ratios (1.637±0.096) as compared with NaF (8.56±0.13nm crystal size and 1.397±0.086 Ca/P, p<0.01). Both CPP-ACP and NaF decrease roughness, and increase the nanohardness and elastic modulus, with no significant differences between the materials. The CPP-ACP paste is more suitable for children than NaF, due to advantages for remineralization. The AFM, nanoindentation, EPMA, and XRD are very helpful methods for further understanding of microscale and nanoscale remineralization mechanisms. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microcomputed tomography evaluation of white spot lesion remineralization with various procedures.

PubMed

Kucuk, Eyup Burak; Malkoc, Siddik; Demir, Abdullah

2016-09-01

The aim of this study was to use microcomputed tomography to evaluate the effects on white spot lesions of 3 remineralizing agents compared with artificial saliva (Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey). The agents were GC Tooth Mousse (GC International, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan), 50-ppm sodium fluoride solution (Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey), and Clinpro 5000 (3M ESPE Dental Products (St Paul, Minn). The experimental and control teeth were stored in artificial saliva. Forty-four extracted premolars were divided into 4 groups of 11 teeth each (3 experimental groups and 1 control group). After white spot lesions were created on the teeth, a remineralizing agent was applied. Microcomputed tomography scanning was performed at the following times: T0 (sound enamel), T1 (day 0, when the white spot lesion was formed), T2 (day 15), and T3 (day 30). Volume, depth, surface area, and mineral density changes of the white spot lesions were evaluated at different time points using CTAn software (SkyScan; Bruker, Kontich, Belgium). GC Tooth Mousse and Clinpro 5000 improved all measurements after 30 days. However, Clinpro 5000 was not as effective in reducing lesion depth as it was in the other parameters. The artificial saliva group and the 50-ppm sodium fluoride solution did not show significant effects in the regression of the white spot lesions at the end of the 30-day experiment. GC Tooth Mousse and Clinpro 5000 were more effective in remineralization of white spot lesions than sodium fluoride solution and artificial saliva. They can be preferred for use clinically. Microcomputed tomography is a novel and effective method that shows promise in accurately evaluating white spot lesions and remineralization. Copyright © 2016 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of bioglass on artificially induced enamel lesion around orthodontic brackets: OCT study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bakhsh, Turki; Al-batati, Mohammed; Mukhtar, Mona; Al-Najjar, Mohammed; Bakhsh, Saud; Bakhsh, Abdulsalam; Bakry, Ahmad; Mandurah, Mona; Abbassy, Mona

2018-02-01

Background and Objective: White spot lesions (WSLs) are commonly seen after completing orthodontic treatment. Different approaches have been suggested to avoid such a complication. Recently, 45S5 bioglass (BG) was introduced as remineralizing agent. Therefore, the objective of this in-vitro study was to assess the effect of BG in remineralizing WSLs using Optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: Fifteen human premolar teeth were sectioned and bonded to orthodontic brackets with Transbond XT primer followed by Transbond PLUS color change adhesive (3M Unitek, USA) on their smooth surfaces according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then, all specimens were varnished excluding the area of interest (AOI) around the bonded restoration, immersed in demineralizing solution and imaged by cross-polarization OCT (CONT group), and the maximum pixel value (MPV) of the AOI were calculated. Then, they were subjected to remineralizing solutions and BG application followed by OCT imaging (REM group). Results: Mann-Whitney test showed the MPV of the AOI in REM was greatly increased and was significantly different from CONT (p<0.05). Conclusion: CP-OCT is a useful diagnostic tool that can be used to detect surface changes in enamel by MPV technique. The BG has a great potential to remineralize enamel defects, however further investigation is required.

Role of fluoridated carbamide peroxide whitening gel in the remineralization of demineralized enamel: An in vitro study.

PubMed

Bollineni, Swetha; Janga, Ravi Kumar; Venugopal, L; Reddy, Indukuri Ravikishore; Babu, P Ravisekhar; Kumar, Sunil S

2014-05-01

The use of self-administered carbamide peroxide bleaching gels has become increasingly popular for whitening of discolored vital teeth. Studies have reported that its use may induce increased levels of sensitivity and surface roughness of the tooth due to demineralization. This study evaluates the effect of fluoride addition to the bleaching agent - its remineralizing capacity and alterations in the whitening properties. Twenty-four extracted lower third molar teeth, with the pretreatment shade determined, were taken up in the study. Each tooth was sectioned into four and labeled as groups A, B, C, and D. The tooth quadrants in group A-C were demineralized; groups A and B were treated with 10% carbamide peroxide gel (group-A without fluoride and group-B with 0.463% fluoride addition) (no further treatment was carried out for group c) group-D remained as the control. The post-treatment shade was determined. The tooth samples were sectioned (approximately 200 μm) for evaluation under a light microscope. The depth of demineralization was analyzed at five different equidistant points. Statistical analysis was carried out with t-tests, accepting ≤0.05 as significant. Addition of fluoride caused remineralization of demineralized enamel. The tooth whitening system showed that the remineralization properties did not affect the whitening properties.

Effect of white tea and xylitol on structure and properties of demineralized enamel and jawbone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Auerkari, EI; Kiranahayu, R.; Emerita, D.; Sumariningsih, P.; Sarita, D.; Adiwirya, MS; Suhartono, AW

2018-05-01

White tea and xylitol have been suggested as potential agents to combat dental caries and osteoporosis through enhanced remineralization. This investigation aimed to determine the effects of exposure to white tea with and without xylitol on the structure, composition and hardness of demineralized human dental enamel. For control, samples of untreated and demineralized enamel and samples of untreated rat jawbone were subjected to similar measurements. For demineralization, the enamel samples were immersed for two days at 50°C in an acetate solution (pH 4.0). All samples were then soaked for two weeks at 37°C in a solution containing three different concentrations of white tea, xylitol or both, and an optional addition of the remineralization ingredients including Ca, P and F. For enamel samples without preceding demineralization and without added remineralization ingredients, the results showed highest mean hardness after immersion in a solution containing both white tea and xylitol, practically independently of their applied concentration level. However, for demineralized enamel samples with added remineralization ingredients, the resulting mean hardness was also dependent on concentration of white tea and xylitol. With sufficient concentration, hardness was again higher for combined white tea and xylitol than for either of these used alone.

Monitoring remineralization of enamel subsurface lesions by optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mandurah, Mona M.; Sadr, Alireza; Shimada, Yasushi; Kitasako, Yuichi; Nakashima, Syozi; Bakhsh, Turki A.; Tagami, Junji; Sumi, Yasunori

2013-04-01

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a potential clinical tool for enamel lesion monitoring. Swept-source OCT findings were compared with cross-sectional nanohardness findings of enamel. Subsurface bovine enamel lesions in three groups were subjected to (1) deionized water (control), (2) phosphoryl oligosaccharide of calcium (POs-Ca) or (3) POs-Ca with 1 ppm fluoride for 14 days. B-scans images were obtained at 1310-nm center wavelength on sound, demineralized and remineralized areas after 4, 7, and 14 days. The specimens were processed for cross-sectional nanoindentation. Reflectivity from enamel that had increased with demineralization decreased with remineralization. An OCT attenuation coefficient parameter (μt), derived based on the Beer-Lambert law as a function of backscatter signal slope, showed a strong linear regression with integrated nanohardness of all regions (p<0.001, r=-0.97). Sound enamel showed the smallest, while demineralized enamel showed the highest μt. In group three, μt was significantly lower at four days than baseline, but remained constant afterwards. In group two, the changes were rather gradual. There was no significant difference between groups two and three at 14 days in nanohardness or μt POs-Ca with fluoride-enhanced nanohardness of the superficial zone. OCT signal attenuation demonstrated a capability for monitoring changes of enamel lesions during remineralization.

What is the critical pH and why does a tooth dissolve in acid?

PubMed

Dawes, Colin

2003-12-01

This paper discusses the concept of critical pH for dissolution of enamel in oral fluids. The critical pH does not have a fixed value but rather is inversely proportional to the calcium and phosphate concentrations in the solution. The paper also discusses why teeth dissolve in acid, why remineralization of white-spot caries lesions is possible and why remineralization of teeth eroded by acid is not possible.

A simple model for the effect of flouride ions on remineralization of partly demineralized tooth enamel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christoffersen, J.; Christoffersen, M. R.; Arends, J.

1984-06-01

A model is presented for remineralization of partly demineralized tooth enamel, taking the effect of the presence of fluoride ions into account. The model predicts that, in the absence of precipitation of other phases than calcium hydroxyapatite (HAP) and fluroridized HAP, which are assumed to model enamel, there exists a maximum value of the fluoride concentration gradient, above which lesions cannot be successfully repaired.

Enhancing Effects Of Nd:YAG Laser On Remineralization Of Incipient Dental Caries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morioka, Toshio; Tagomori, Shoko

1989-09-01

Artificial caries lesions were made on the buccal surface of human premolars, and the enamel was then treated with laser and fluoride. The acid resistance of the enamel was examined by demineralization in acidic solution. An increase in acid resistance and fluoride uptake was caused by fluoride treatment after laser irradiation. In addition, remarkable remineralization of artificial caries lesions was seen in these specimens after exposure to calcifying fluid.

Laser ultrasonic evaluation of human dental enamel during remineralization treatment

PubMed Central

Wang, Hsiao-Chuan; Fleming, Simon; Lee, Yung-Chun; Swain, Michael; Law, Susan; Xue, Jing

2011-01-01

In this work a non-destructive laser ultrasonic technique is used to quantitatively evaluate the progressive change in the elastic response of human dental enamel during a remineralization treatment. The condition of the enamel was measured during two weeks treatment using laser generated and detected surface acoustic waves in sound and demineralized enamel. Analysis of the acoustic velocity dispersion confirms the efficacy, as well as illuminating the progress, of the treatment. PMID:21339879

Photothermal radiometry and modulated luminescence examination of demineralized and remineralized dental lesions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hellen, A.; Mandelis, A.; Finer, Y.

2010-03-01

Dental caries involves continuous challenges of acid-induced mineral loss and a counteracting process of mineral recovery. As an emerging non-destructive methodology, photothermal radiometry and modulated luminescence (PTR-LUM) has shown promise in measuring changes in tooth mineral content. Human molars (n=37) were subjected to demineralization in acid gel (pH 4.5, 10 days), followed by incubation in remineralisation solutions (pH 6.7, 4 weeks) without or with fluoride (1 or 1000 ppm). PTR-LUM frequency scans (1 Hz - 1 kHz) were performed prior to and during demineralization and remineralization treatments. Transverse Micro-Radiography (TMR) analysis followed at treatment conclusion. The non-fluoridated group exhibited opposite amplitude and phase trends to those of the highly fluoridated group: smaller phase lag and larger amplitude. These results point to a complex interplay between surface and subsurface processes during remineralization, confining the thermal-wave centroid toward the dominating layer.

Polymeric dental composites based on remineralizing amorphous calcium phosphate fillers

PubMed Central

Skrtic, Drago; Antonucci, Joseph M.

2017-01-01

For over two decades we have systematically explored structure-composition-property relationships of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)-based polymeric dental composites. The appeal of these bioactive materials stems from their intrinsic ability to prevent demineralization and/or restore defective tooth structures via sustained release of remineralizing calcium and phosphate ions. Due to the compositional similarity of the ACP to biological tooth mineral, ACP-based composites should exhibit excellent biocompatibility. Research described in this article has already yielded remineralizing sealants and orthodontic adhesives as well as a prototype root canal sealer. Our work has also contributed to a better understanding on how polymer matrix structure and filler/matrix interactions affect the critical properties of these polymeric composites and their overall performance. The addition of antimicrobial compounds to the formulation of ACP composites could increase their medical and dental regenerative treatment applications, thereby benefiting an even greater number of patients. PMID:29599572

The role of biological uptake in iron and manganese cycling in Lake Baikal

USGS Publications Warehouse

Granina, L.Z.; Callender, E.

2006-01-01

The role of biological uptake in the internal cycling of Fe and Mn in Lake Baikal was quantified. Biological uptake, sedimentation consisting of the biogenic and lithogenic fluxes, and remineralization have been evaluated. The results of calculations show that about 5-10% of Fe and Mn accumulated in the lake are annually taken up by biota. More than 80% of this amount is again recycled after remineralization of biological material. At this, the biogenic fluxes of Fe and Mn are 2-4 times less compared to lithogenic ones. Thus not only is oxidation of Fe and Mn within the water column highly enriched in the oxygen that results in settling of Fe and Mn oxides, but also intensive biological uptake of these elements contributes to their fast removal from internal cycling. However, essential remineralization makes this process of minor importance to Fe and Mn cycling in Lake Baikal. ?? Springer 2006.

Assessment of simulated lesions on primary teeth with near-infrared imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tam, Wilson; Lee, Robert C.; Lin, Brent; Simon, Jacob C.; Fried, Daniel

2016-02-01

Previous studies have demonstrated that the structural changes on enamel due to demineralization and remineralization can be exploited through optical imaging methods such as QLF, thermal and NIR imaging. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether PS-OCT and NIR reflectance imaging can be utilized to assess lesion structure in artificial enamel lesions on the smooth surfaces of primary teeth exposed to fluoride. The smooth coronal surfaces of primary teeth (n=25) were divided into 4 windows: sound, demineralization, demineralization with remineralization and APF with demineralization. Windows were treated with either acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) for 1 minute, a demineralization solution for 4 days, and/or an acidic remineralization solution for 12 days. The samples were imaged using PS-OCT, QLF and NIR reflectance at 1400-1700 nm wavelengths. This study demonstrated that both PS-OCT and NIR reflectance imaging were suitable for assessing lesion structure in the smooth surfaces of primary dentition.

Assessment of simulated lesions on primary teeth with near-infrared imaging.

PubMed

Tam, Wilson; Lee, Robert C; Lin, Brent; Simon, Jacob C; Fried, Daniel

2016-02-13

Previous studies have demonstrated that the structural changes on enamel due to demineralization and remineralization can be exploited through optical imaging methods such as QLF, thermal and NIR imaging. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether PS-OCT and NIR reflectance imaging can be utilized to assess lesion structure in artificial enamel lesions on the smooth surfaces of primary teeth exposed to fluoride. The smooth coronal surfaces of primary teeth (n=25) were divided into 4 windows: sound, demineralization, demineralization with remineralization and APF with demineralization. Windows were treated with either acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) for 1 minute, a demineralization solution for 4 days, and/or an acidic remineralization solution for 12 days. The samples were imaged using PS-OCT, QLF and NIR reflectance at 1400-1700 nm wavelengths. This study demonstrated that both PS-OCT and NIR reflectance imaging were suitable for assessing lesion structure in the smooth surfaces of primary dentition.

Evidence for the potential influence of chemocline fluctuations on the Frasnian-Famennian Biotic Crisis in the Illinois and Appalachian Basins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uveges, B. T.; Junium, C. K.; Boyer, D.; Cohen, P.; Day, J. E.

2017-12-01

The Frasnian-Famennian Biotic Crisis (FFBC) is among the `Big Five' mass extinctions in ecological severity, and was particularly devastating to shallow water tropical faunas and reefs. The FFBC is associated with two organic rich black shale beds collectively known as the Lower and Upper Kellwasser Events(KWEs). Sedimentary N and C isotopes offer insight into the biogeochemical processing of nutrients, and therefore the oceanographic conditions in a basin. In particular, biological production within and around the chemocline can impart a distinct signature to the particulate organic matter (POM) preserved in sediments. Here we present bulk δ15N and δ13Corg isotope data from the Late Devonian Appalachian, and Illinois Basins (AB and IB), with a focus on intervals encompassing the KWEs. Broadly, δ15N values were depleted (-1.0 to +4.0‰), and are consistent with other intervals of black shale deposition, such as OAEs, with the IB being generally more enriched. In both the IB and AB, black shales were 15N depleted compared to the interbedded grey shales on average by 2.3 and 1.0‰ respectively. Organic carbon isotopes exhibit the broad, positive excursions that are typical of the KWEs globally ( 3.5‰ from background). Superimposed over the increase in δ13Corg are sharp decreases in δ13Corg, to as low as -30‰, found at the base of the black shale beds in the both basins. In the context of the pattern of δ15N, this suggests that the mobility of the chemocline and the degree of stratification exert a primary control on both δ15N and δ13Corg. Chemocline movement, or alternatively chemocline collapse, would lead to greater areal extent/upwelling of low oxygen deep waters, rich in isotopically depleted remineralized nutrients (DIN and DIC), leading to the production and eventual preservation of depleted POM in the black shales. Applying this model to the KWEs, which saw more expansive deposits of anoxic facies, we propose that the black shales associated with the KWEs, and thus the FFBC, were the result of exacerbated chemocline fluctuations already inherent to the basin system. The resultant influx of low oxygen, high nutrient water would have not only placed stress on shallow water organisms, but may have also induced eutrophication through spurred primary productivity of organic matter, compounding the the severity of the event.

Sources and fate of organic (DOC, POC, CDOM) and inorganic (DIC) carbon in a mangrove dominated estuary (French Guiana)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ray, R.; Michaud, E.; Vantrepotte, V.; Aller, R. C.; Morvan, S.; Thouzeau, G.

2016-12-01

We studied the mangrove dominated Sinnamary estuarine system in French Guiana during the dry and wet seasons in 2015 to examine the sources, transport and fate of surface water DOC, POC and DIC along the salinity gradient and the effect of tidal fluctuations on carbon dynamics. Elemental ratios, stable isotopes and optical properties (absorption) were applied as proxies to delineate the sources and molecular structure of the organic carbon. Results showed that during the wet season there were significant net inputs of POC and DOC along the salinity gradient from mangroves and enhanced surface runoff. Time series performed during the dry season at a station in channel water adjacent to mangroves revealed mangrove-derived export and exchanges of DOC and POC during the ebb and marine algae import during the flood. DOC was the dominant form of carbon in both seasons with DOC:POC ratios typically between 13 and 40. Both δ13DOC and CDOM descriptors (e.g., S275-295 and a*412) confirmed mangrove litter leaching to be the primary contributor of high molecular weight dissolved organic matter in the wet season which was replaced by marine phytoplanktonic OC during transport offshore in the dry season. CDOM aromaticity is lower in the dry season as mangrove inputs decrease. POC showed similar trends as DOC, with maximum contributions of terrestrial litter in the river and mixing zone, and in situ production dominant in the marine zone. The entire estuary is heterotrophic, exhibiting high pCO2 (837-5575µatm) and oxygen undersaturation (59-86%) in both seasons, and substantial CO2 emission fluxes (278-3671mmol m-2 d-1). Intense local remineralization and laterally transported CO2 originating from mangrove benthic respiration could account for the water column pCO2 enrichment during low tide and night time. Keywords: Organic carbon, stable isotopes, CDOM, pCO2, mangrove, French Guiana

Effects of Coral Reef Benthic Primary Producers on Dissolved Organic Carbon and Microbial Activity

PubMed Central

Haas, Andreas F.; Nelson, Craig E.; Wegley Kelly, Linda; Carlson, Craig A.; Rohwer, Forest; Leichter, James J.; Wyatt, Alex; Smith, Jennifer E.

2011-01-01

Benthic primary producers in marine ecosystems may significantly alter biogeochemical cycling and microbial processes in their surrounding environment. To examine these interactions, we studied dissolved organic matter release by dominant benthic taxa and subsequent microbial remineralization in the lagoonal reefs of Moorea, French Polynesia. Rates of photosynthesis, respiration, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) release were assessed for several common benthic reef organisms from the backreef habitat. We assessed microbial community response to dissolved exudates of each benthic producer by measuring bacterioplankton growth, respiration, and DOC drawdown in two-day dark dilution culture incubations. Experiments were conducted for six benthic producers: three species of macroalgae (each representing a different algal phylum: Turbinaria ornata – Ochrophyta; Amansia rhodantha – Rhodophyta; Halimeda opuntia – Chlorophyta), a mixed assemblage of turf algae, a species of crustose coralline algae (Hydrolithon reinboldii) and a dominant hermatypic coral (Porites lobata). Our results show that all five types of algae, but not the coral, exuded significant amounts of labile DOC into their surrounding environment. In general, primary producers with the highest rates of photosynthesis released the most DOC and yielded the greatest bacterioplankton growth; turf algae produced nearly twice as much DOC per unit surface area than the other benthic producers (14.0±2.8 µmol h−1 dm−2), stimulating rapid bacterioplankton growth (0.044±0.002 log10 cells h−1) and concomitant oxygen drawdown (0.16±0.05 µmol L−1 h−1 dm−2). Our results demonstrate that benthic reef algae can release a significant fraction of their photosynthetically-fixed carbon as DOC, these release rates vary by species, and this DOC is available to and consumed by reef associated microbes. These data provide compelling evidence that benthic primary producers differentially influence reef microbial dynamics and biogeochemical parameters (i.e., DOC and oxygen availability, bacterial abundance and metabolism) in coral reef communities. PMID:22125645

An intermediate-complexity model for simulating marine biogeochemistry in deep time: Validation against the modern global ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romaniello, Stephen J.; Derry, Louis A.

2010-08-01

We present a new high-resolution 1-D intermediate-complexity box model (ICBM) of ocean biogeochemical processes for paleoceanographic applications. The model contains 79 reservoirs in three regions that should be generally applicable throughout much of Earth history: (1) a stratified gyre region, (2) a high-latitude convective region, and (3) an upwelling region analogous to those found associated with eastern boundary currents. Transport processes are modeled as exchange fluxes between boxes and by eddy diffusion terms. Significant improvement in the representation of middepth oxygen budgets was achieved by implementing nonlocal mixing between the high-latitude surface and gyre thermocline reservoirs. The biogeochemical submodel simulates coupled C, N, P, O, and S systematics with explicit representation of microbial populations, using a process-based approach. Primary production follows Redfield stoichiometry, while water column remineralization is depth- and redox couple-dependent. Settling particulate organic matter is incorporated into a benthic submodel that accounts for burial and remineralization. The C/P ratio of burial depends on bottom water oxygen. Denitrification takes place both by classical and anammox pathways. The ICBM was tested against modern oceanographic observations from the Global Ocean Data Analysis Project, Joint Global Ocean Flux Study, and other databases. Comparisons of model output with circulation tracers including θ, salinity, CFC-12, and radiocarbon permit a test of the physical exchange scheme. Vertical profiles of biogeochemically reactive components in each of the three regions are in good agreement with observations. Under modern conditions the upwelling zone displays a pronounced oxygen minimum zone and water column denitrification, while these are not present in the high-latitude or gyre regions. Model-generated global fluxes also compare well to independent estimates of primary production, burial, and phosphorous and nitrogen cycling. The ICBM appears to adequately simulate the long-term (kyr) evolution of several biogeochemical cycles and improves on previous box models in several important ways. In a companion paper, the model's performance under euxinic conditions is tested against modern Black Sea data. The simple and adaptable structure of the model should make it applicable to a wide range of paleoceanographic problems. The model source code is available in MATLABTM 7 m-files provided as auxiliary material.

Remineralization of early enamel caries lesions using different bioactive elements containing toothpastes: An in vitro study.

PubMed

Wang, Yu; Mei, Li; Gong, Lin; Li, Jialing; He, Shaowei; Ji, Yan; Sun, Weibin

2016-09-14

Demineralization can be arrested or reversed when remineralization agents are applied to incipient carious or non-cavitated carious lesions. A large number of therapeutic agents including non-fluoridated products have been developed to promote enamel remineralization. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of different bioactive elements containing toothpastes in remineralization of artificial enamel lesions. Artificial carious lesions were created on 40 human enamel slabs, and were randomly divided into four groups: (1) control group (no treatment), (2) casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate group (CPP-ACP, GC Tooth Mousse), (3) 8% arginine and calcium carbonate group (ACC, Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief), (4) calcium sodium phosphosilicate group (CSP, NovaMin®). All samples were subjected to 15 days of pH-cycling. Subsequently, a one-hour acid resistance test was carried out. Surface hardness of the samples was assessed using the Knoop hardness test, and surface morphology and roughness were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey's test and paired t test. The three tested toothpastes exhibited a significantly higher remineralization efficacy compared with the control group (P< 0.05 for all). After pH-cycling, the specimens treated with Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief and NovaMin® showed a significant higher surface hardness (P< 0.001 and P= 0.03, respectively) and lower surface roughness (P< 0.05 for both) compared those treated with GC Tooth Mousse. While after the acid resistance test, all groups showed a significant loss of surface hardness (P< 0.001 for all) and significant increase of surface roughness (P< 0.05). The specimens treated with Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief and NovaMin® still showed a significant higher surface hardness and lower surface roughness in comparison with those treated with GC Tooth Mousse (P< 0.05 for all). No significant difference was found in surface hardness and roughness between Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief and NovaMin® during the pH-cycling test and acid resistance test (P= 0.45 and P= 0.83, respectively). Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief and NovaMin® present an advantage in enhancing remineralization and inhibiting demineralization for early enamel carious lesions in comparison with GC Tooth Mousse.

Functional remineralization of carious dentin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pugach, Megan Kardon

A primary goal of dental tissue engineering is the biological reconstruction of tooth substrate destroyed by caries or other diseases affecting tooth mineralization. Traditionally, dentists treat caries by using invasive techniques to remove the diseased dental tissue and restore the lesion, ideally preventing further progression of decay. Success in strategies associated with remineralization of enamel and root caries have contributed to the less invasive prospect of remineralization of dentinal carious lesions. The central hypothesis of this dissertation is that carious dentin lesions can be remineralized if the lesions contain residual mineral. Caries Detector (CD) stained zones (pink, light pink, transparent and normal) of arrested carious dentin lesions were characterized according to microstructure by atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging, mineral content by digital transverse microradiography, and nanomechanical properties by AFM-based nanoindentation. CD-stained and unstained zones had significantly different microstructure, mineral content and nanomechanical properties. Furthermore, the most demineralized carious zone contained residual mineral. To obtain reproducible, standardized dentin caries lesions, we characterized the lesions from an artificial carious dentin lesion model using a 0.05M acetate demineralization buffer. The artificial caries-like lesions produced by the buffer had similar mineral content and nanomechanical properties in the stained and unstained zones as natural dentin lesions. Both natural and artificial lesions had significant correlations between mineral content and nanomechanical properties. Mineral crystallite size and shape was examined by small angle x-ray scattering. Both natural and artificial carious dentin had different mineral sizes than normal dentin. Collagen in natural and artificial carious dentin lesions was examined by trichrome stain, AFM high-resolution imaging, and UV resonance Raman spectroscopy, to determine if fibrils were intact and mineralization levels. It appeared that the collagen in the most demineralized pink zones of the lesions was intact and contained intrafibrillar mineral. Natural and artificial carious dentin lesions were treated with remineralization solutions containing different amounts of Ca2+ and PO 43-, with and without CO32- and with and without 2 ppm fluoride. The hydrated nanomechanical properties of the lesions were partially restored. This suggests that the most CD-stained zones of arrested dentin caries lesions may be remineralizable. These results suggest that remineralization as an approach of minimally invasive dentistry using non-invasive treatments to restore dental tissues is possible.

Global abundance of planktonic heterotrophic protists in the deep ocean

PubMed Central

Pernice, Massimo C; Forn, Irene; Gomes, Ana; Lara, Elena; Alonso-Sáez, Laura; Arrieta, Jesus M; del Carmen Garcia, Francisca; Hernando-Morales, Victor; MacKenzie, Roy; Mestre, Mireia; Sintes, Eva; Teira, Eva; Valencia, Joaquin; Varela, Marta M; Vaqué, Dolors; Duarte, Carlos M; Gasol, Josep M; Massana, Ramon

2015-01-01

The dark ocean is one of the largest biomes on Earth, with critical roles in organic matter remineralization and global carbon sequestration. Despite its recognized importance, little is known about some key microbial players, such as the community of heterotrophic protists (HP), which are likely the main consumers of prokaryotic biomass. To investigate this microbial component at a global scale, we determined their abundance and biomass in deepwater column samples from the Malaspina 2010 circumnavigation using a combination of epifluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. HP were ubiquitously found at all depths investigated down to 4000 m. HP abundances decreased with depth, from an average of 72±19 cells ml−1 in mesopelagic waters down to 11±1 cells ml−1 in bathypelagic waters, whereas their total biomass decreased from 280±46 to 50±14 pg C ml−1. The parameters that better explained the variance of HP abundance were depth and prokaryote abundance, and to lesser extent oxygen concentration. The generally good correlation with prokaryotic abundance suggested active grazing of HP on prokaryotes. On a finer scale, the prokaryote:HP abundance ratio varied at a regional scale, and sites with the highest ratios exhibited a larger contribution of fungi molecular signal. Our study is a step forward towards determining the relationship between HP and their environment, unveiling their importance as players in the dark ocean's microbial food web. PMID:25290506

Bacterial community composition associated with freshwater algae: species specificity vs. dependency on environmental conditions and source community.

PubMed

Eigemann, Falk; Hilt, Sabine; Salka, Ivette; Grossart, Hans-Peter

2013-03-01

We studied bacterial associations with the green alga Desmodesmus armatus and the diatom Stephanodiscus minutulus under changing environmental conditions and bacterial source communities, to evaluate whether bacteria-algae associations are species-specific or more generalized and determined by external factors. Axenic and xenic algae were incubated in situ with and without allelopathically active macrophytes, and in the laboratory with sterile and nonsterile lake water and an allelochemical, tannic acid (TA). Bacterial community composition (BCC) of algae-associated bacteria was analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), nonmetric multidimensional scaling, cluster analyses, and sequencing of DGGE bands. BCC of xenic algal cultures of both species were not significantly affected by changes in their environment or bacterial source community, except in the case of TA additions. Species-specific interactions therefore appear to overrule the effects of environmental conditions and source communities. The BCC of xenic and axenic D. armatus cultures subjected to in situ bacterial colonization, however, had lower similarities (ca. 55%), indicating that bacterial precolonization is a strong factor for bacteria-algae associations irrespective of environmental conditions and source community. Our findings emphasize the ecological importance of species-specific bacteria-algae associations with important repercussions for other processes, such as the remineralization of nutrients, and organic matter dynamics. © 2012 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.

Transient exposure to oxygen or nitrate reveals ecophysiology of fermentative and sulfate-reducing benthic microbial populations.

PubMed

Saad, Sainab; Bhatnagar, Srijak; Tegetmeyer, Halina E; Geelhoed, Jeanine S; Strous, Marc; Ruff, S Emil

2017-12-01

For the anaerobic remineralization of organic matter in marine sediments, sulfate reduction coupled to fermentation plays a key role. Here, we enriched sulfate-reducing/fermentative communities from intertidal sediments under defined conditions in continuous culture. We transiently exposed the cultures to oxygen or nitrate twice daily and investigated the community response. Chemical measurements, provisional genomes and transcriptomic profiles revealed trophic networks of microbial populations. Sulfate reducers coexisted with facultative nitrate reducers or aerobes enabling the community to adjust to nitrate or oxygen pulses. Exposure to oxygen and nitrate impacted the community structure, but did not suppress fermentation or sulfate reduction as community functions, highlighting their stability under dynamic conditions. The most abundant sulfate reducer in all cultures, related to Desulfotignum balticum, appeared to have coupled both acetate- and hydrogen oxidation to sulfate reduction. We describe a novel representative of the widespread uncultured candidate phylum Fermentibacteria (formerly candidate division Hyd24-12). For this strictly anaerobic, obligate fermentative bacterium, we propose the name ' U Sabulitectum silens' and identify it as a partner of sulfate reducers in marine sediments. Overall, we provide insights into the function of fermentative, as well as sulfate-reducing microbial communities and their adaptation to a dynamic environment. © 2017 The Authors. Environmental Microbiology published by Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Macronutrient and carbon supply, uptake and cycling across the Antarctic Peninsula shelf during summer

PubMed Central

Jones, Elizabeth M.; Venables, Hugh J.; Firing, Yvonne L.; Dittrich, Ribanna; Heiser, Sabrina; Dougans, Julie

2018-01-01

The West Antarctic Peninsula shelf is a region of high seasonal primary production which supports a large and productive food web, where macronutrients and inorganic carbon are sourced primarily from intrusions of warm saline Circumpolar Deep Water. We examined the cross-shelf modification of this water mass during mid-summer 2015 to understand the supply of nutrients and carbon to the productive surface ocean, and their subsequent uptake and cycling. We show that nitrate, phosphate, silicic acid and inorganic carbon are progressively enriched in subsurface waters across the shelf, contrary to cross-shelf reductions in heat, salinity and density. We use nutrient stoichiometric and isotopic approaches to invoke remineralization of organic matter, including nitrification below the euphotic surface layer, and dissolution of biogenic silica in deeper waters and potentially shelf sediment porewaters, as the primary drivers of cross-shelf enrichments. Regenerated nitrate and phosphate account for a significant proportion of the total pools of these nutrients in the upper ocean, with implications for the seasonal carbon sink. Understanding nutrient and carbon dynamics in this region now will inform predictions of future biogeochemical changes in the context of substantial variability and ongoing changes in the physical environment. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The marine system of the West Antarctic Peninsula: status and strategy for progress in a region of rapid change’. PMID:29760112

Macronutrient and carbon supply, uptake and cycling across the Antarctic Peninsula shelf during summer.

PubMed

Henley, Sian F; Jones, Elizabeth M; Venables, Hugh J; Meredith, Michael P; Firing, Yvonne L; Dittrich, Ribanna; Heiser, Sabrina; Stefels, Jacqueline; Dougans, Julie

2018-06-28

The West Antarctic Peninsula shelf is a region of high seasonal primary production which supports a large and productive food web, where macronutrients and inorganic carbon are sourced primarily from intrusions of warm saline Circumpolar Deep Water. We examined the cross-shelf modification of this water mass during mid-summer 2015 to understand the supply of nutrients and carbon to the productive surface ocean, and their subsequent uptake and cycling. We show that nitrate, phosphate, silicic acid and inorganic carbon are progressively enriched in subsurface waters across the shelf, contrary to cross-shelf reductions in heat, salinity and density. We use nutrient stoichiometric and isotopic approaches to invoke remineralization of organic matter, including nitrification below the euphotic surface layer, and dissolution of biogenic silica in deeper waters and potentially shelf sediment porewaters, as the primary drivers of cross-shelf enrichments. Regenerated nitrate and phosphate account for a significant proportion of the total pools of these nutrients in the upper ocean, with implications for the seasonal carbon sink. Understanding nutrient and carbon dynamics in this region now will inform predictions of future biogeochemical changes in the context of substantial variability and ongoing changes in the physical environment.This article is part of the theme issue 'The marine system of the West Antarctic Peninsula: status and strategy for progress in a region of rapid change'. © 2018 The Authors.

Global abundance of planktonic heterotrophic protists in the deep ocean.

PubMed

Pernice, Massimo C; Forn, Irene; Gomes, Ana; Lara, Elena; Alonso-Sáez, Laura; Arrieta, Jesus M; del Carmen Garcia, Francisca; Hernando-Morales, Victor; MacKenzie, Roy; Mestre, Mireia; Sintes, Eva; Teira, Eva; Valencia, Joaquin; Varela, Marta M; Vaqué, Dolors; Duarte, Carlos M; Gasol, Josep M; Massana, Ramon

2015-03-01

The dark ocean is one of the largest biomes on Earth, with critical roles in organic matter remineralization and global carbon sequestration. Despite its recognized importance, little is known about some key microbial players, such as the community of heterotrophic protists (HP), which are likely the main consumers of prokaryotic biomass. To investigate this microbial component at a global scale, we determined their abundance and biomass in deepwater column samples from the Malaspina 2010 circumnavigation using a combination of epifluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. HP were ubiquitously found at all depths investigated down to 4000 m. HP abundances decreased with depth, from an average of 72±19 cells ml(-1) in mesopelagic waters down to 11±1 cells ml(-1) in bathypelagic waters, whereas their total biomass decreased from 280±46 to 50±14 pg C ml(-1). The parameters that better explained the variance of HP abundance were depth and prokaryote abundance, and to lesser extent oxygen concentration. The generally good correlation with prokaryotic abundance suggested active grazing of HP on prokaryotes. On a finer scale, the prokaryote:HP abundance ratio varied at a regional scale, and sites with the highest ratios exhibited a larger contribution of fungi molecular signal. Our study is a step forward towards determining the relationship between HP and their environment, unveiling their importance as players in the dark ocean's microbial food web.

Evaluation of remineralization capacity of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate on the carbamide peroxide treated enamel

PubMed Central

Penumatsa, Narendra Varma; Kaminedi, Raja Rajeswari; Baroudi, Kusai; Barakath, Ola

2015-01-01

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) in remineralizing the bleached enamel surface using micro-hardness. Materials and Methods: Thirty human enamel slabs were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10). Groups A and B were exposed to 20% carbamide peroxide and 35% carbamide peroxide gel, respectively. After the exposure to the bleaching agent, the slabs were kept in artificial saliva for 1-week. Group C (control group) were kept in artificial saliva for 1-week. Vickers micro-hardness test was performed by Leica VMHT-Mot micro-hardness tester. CPP-ACP (Gc Tooth Mousse, Melbourne, Australia) was then applied to specimens of Groups A and B for 3 min for 2 weeks. Micro-hardness values of postbleach Group A (Ar) and Group B (Br) were recorded and statistically analyzed by paired t-test and one-way analysis of variance at the significance level of α =0.05. Results: There was a significant decrease in micro-hardness of enamel in carbamide peroxide bleached groups. However, there was a significant increase in micro-hardness after the remineralization by CPP-ACP and the extent of remineralization is more for the Group B. Conclusions: That bleaching agents reduced enamel micro-hardness and the use of CPP-ACP after bleaching can significantly enhance the micro-hardness of bleached enamel. PMID:26538923

Fluorescence changes in remineralized and nonremineralized enamel adjacent to glass ionomer ART restorations: an in vitro study.

PubMed

Gaskin, Elizabeth B; Harless, Jeffrey D; Wefel, James S; Guzmán-Armstrong, Sandra; Armstrong, Steven R; Vargas, Marcos A; Hernández, Maria Marcela; Qian, Fang

2007-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate fluorescence changes of remineralized and nonremineralized enamel margins adjacent to glass ionomer restorations during a pH cycling sequence. One hundred permanent molar and premolar teeth were placed in a demineralizing solution for 3 days and restored with a glass ionomer restoration (simulating Atraumatic Restorative Treatment [ART]). Half were placed in a remin solution for 7 days to create a remineralization (remin) group. Specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups (N=25): (a) 2 remin groups; and (b) 2 nonremin groups. One half of the remin and nonremin group specimens were treated with a 5,000-ppm sodium fluoride solution during pH cycling with remin fluid and an acidic beverage over 20 days. Fluorescence changes were recorded with quantitative light fluorescence (QLF). Higher fluorescence values indicated less lesion porosity. Statistical comparisons between the groups over the 5 measurement sessions of cycling were performed using repeated measures of analysis of variance with a post-hoc test, paired-sample t test and 2-sample t tests (alpha=0.05). The remin groups experienced significantly less lesion porosity than the nonremin groups. Fluoride groups experienced less lesion porosity than the nonfluoride groups. A brief period of remineralization and use of a prescription strength fluoridated rinse improved the enamel substrate surrounding glass ionomer restorations, resulting in less lesion porosity.

The carbon isotope biogeochemistry of (epsilon)CO2 production in a methanogenic marine sediment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boehme, Susan E.

1993-01-01

To investigate the relationship between sigma(CO2) delta(C-13) values and rates of the dominant remineralization processes at the organic-rich field site of Cape Lookout Bight, NC, the isotopic composition of porewater sigma(CO2) was measured on a seasonal basis. The sigma(CO2) delta(C-13) values varies seasonally in response to changes in rates of sulfate reduction and methanogenesis, the dominant remineralization processes at this site. A tube incubation experiment was also performed to determine the isotopic signature of the sigma(CO2) produced by sulfate reduction and methanogenesis. The delta(C-13) of the sigma(CO2) produced in the sulfate reduction zone determined from the tube incubation was -14.3 plus or minus 1.9, a value enriched in C-13 relative to the labile organic fraction. The C-13-enrichment may be caused by low rates of methanogenesis occurring in the sulfate reduction zone. The delta(C-13) of the sigma(CO2) produced in the methanogenic zone was estimated to be +44 per mil, whereas the co-produced methane was -65 per mil. The fractionation factor for CO2 reduction was calculated to be 1.055, a value in agreement with previous estimates at this site. The measured concentration and delta(C-13) of the sigma(CO2) at Cape Lookout was closely reproduced by a diagenetic model using the measured rates of sulfate reduction and sigma(CO2) production, and the isotopic signature of the sigma(CO2) production in the two biogeochemical zones.

Effect of the coating material on root dentin remineralization in vitro.

PubMed

Shiiya, Toru; Tomiyama, Kiyoshi; Iizuka, Junko; Hasegawa, Haruhiko; Kuramochi, Erika; Fujino, Fukue; Ohashi, Katsura; Nihei, Tomotaro; Teranaka, Toshio; Mukai, Yoshiharu

2014-10-01

A fluoride-releasing coating material containing surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler has become commercially available. However, there has been no detailed investigation of its remineralization effects at various tooth surface regions. The remineralization effects of S-PRG filler-containing coating material at different sites of demineralized dentin surfaces in vitro were evaluated. Baseline lesions were prepared on bovine root dentin surfaces by immersion in demineralization buffer and divided into four groups: (B)--baseline lesion; (P)--S-PRG filler-containing material; (V)--S-PRG filler-free coating material as negative control; and (X)--resin-modified glass- ionomer as positive control. Material was applied to half the lesion surface, then P, V and X were remineralized in a gel system. Mineral profiles, integrated mineral loss (IML) and lesion depth (LD) at four regions, i.e. 1--exposed dentin surface adjacent to the material; 2--at a distance from the material; 3--beneath the material near to the edge; and 4--at a distance from the edge, were analyzed by transversal microradiography. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Games-Howell test with α = 0.05. B showed typical artificial demineralized lesion. The IMLs of V, P and X at regions 1 and 2, and P and X at region 3 were significantly lower than that of B, however, those of V at region 3 and the other three groups at region 4 were not significantly different from that of B. At region 1, P and X showed significantly lower IMLs than V. At region 2, the IML of X showed significantly lower IML than V. There was no significant difference between P and X. The LD values of V, P and X at all regions were not significantly different from that of B. Fluoride, strontium and silicate ions released from the S-PRG filler would provide a favorable environment for remineralization of the demineralized dentin in P.

Novel dental adhesive resin with crack self-healing, antimicrobial and remineralization properties.

PubMed

Yue, Shichao; Wu, Junling; Zhang, Qiang; Zhang, Ke; Weir, Michael D; Imazato, Satoshi; Bai, Yuxing; Xu, Hockin H K

2018-05-18

Secondary caries at the tooth-restoration margins is a primary reason for restoration failure. Cracks at the margins lead to leakage which can trap bacteria, producing acids to cause caries. To date, there has been no report on developing an adhesive resin that has self-healing, antibacterial and remineralizing capabilities. The objectives of this study were to: (1) develop the first self-healing adhesive with antimicrobial and remineralizing capabilities, and (2) investigate the effects of incorporating microcapsules, dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate (DMAHDM) and nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP) for the first time. Self-healing microcapsules were synthesized with poly(urea-formaldehyde) (PUF) shells containing triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) as the healing liquid. The new adhesive contained 7.5% microcapsules, 10% DMAHDM and 20% NACP. A single edge V-notched beam (SEVNB) method was used to measure the fracture toughness K IC and the autonomous crack-healing efficiency. An oral plaque microcosm biofilm model was tested. The new self-healing, antimicrobial and remineralizing dental adhesive matched the dentin bond strength of a commercial control (p > 0.1). The new adhesive achieved successful crack-healing, with an excellent K IC recovery of 67%. The new adhesive had strong antimicrobial activity, reducing biofilm colony-forming units by four orders of magnitude, and reducing biofilm acid production to 1/100th that of biofilms on the commercial control resin. A self-healing adhesive with antibacterial and remineralizing capabilities was developed for the first time. Excellent dentin bond strength, autonomous crack-healing and K IC recovery, and strong anti-biofilm properties were achieved for the new adhesive resin. The novel method of using triple agents (self-healing microcapsules + DMAHDM + NACP) is promising for applications in dental adhesives, cements, sealants and composites to combat the two main challenges: fracture and secondary caries. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

New ways of combating demineralization: link between classic and allopathic medicine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Idoraşi, Laura; Secoşan, Sandra Andreea; Ogodescu, Alexandru; Sinescu, Cosmin; Zaharia, Cristian; Stan, Adrian Tudor; Podoleanu, Adrian G.; Negruťiu, Meda-Lavinia

2018-03-01

Prevention and allopathic medicine gained attention, since it is possible for dentists to prevent demineralization, using plants and natural substances with well-known efficacy. The purpose of this study was to present new methods for teeth remineralization. It was made a selection of 10 extracted teeth, maintained in physiological serum, with no color fading, decay or demineralization. It was induced demineralization, with ortho-phosphoric acid (concentration 45 %), for one minute. The probes were visually and with optical coherence tomography (OCT) inspected. The natural product and the bonding with additional nanoparticles of argent were created and applied on the demineralization zone of the both groups of teeth. Each tooth in the first group had one plain surface demineralized. The second group of teeth had a cavity prepared on one of each tooth's side. The pastes were applied on the demineralized surfaces and in the demineralized cavities for two minutes. After time expired, the pasta applied on the first group of teeth was washed away; the bonding above the second group of teeth was light cured. The probes were again visually and with OCT inspected. It was observed an improvement in remineralizing the white marks on plain surfaces and in the created cavities, the OCT being able to detect different levels of remineralization. The efficacy of natural pasta depends on the time it is applied and the concentration of the different main substances. Also, the type of surface, plain or occlusal facets, may influence the substances' penetration ability. The non-invasive specific feature of these products, low costs and safety are strong positive aspects of this method of remineralization. However, the natural process of remineralization is a long-lasting one; perfecting the main substances in order to accelerate the process, in addition to several in vivo studies would be necessary to be fulfilled.

Mercury in the Black Sea - results of the 2013 GEOTRACES MEDBlack cruise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heimbürger, L. E.; Sonke, J.; Rijkenberg, M. J. A.; Gerringa, L. J.; De Baar, H. J. W.

2014-12-01

Inorganic mercury (Hg), whether of natural or anthropogenic origin, can be converted into the neurotoxin methylmercury (MeHg). Today we believe this conversion occurs during the bacterial remineralization of sinking organic matter in the oceanic water column. The Black Sea with its high organic matter inputs and anoxic deep waters is an excellent study site to investigate in more detail the processes yielding MeHg. To date only one vertical profile of Hg species near the Western shelf and one vertical profile in the Western Gyre are published (Lamborg et al. 2008). We will present new results of the 2013 Dutch-led GEOTRACES MEDBlack cruise in the Black Sea. Research vessel "Pelagia" occupied 12 full depth stations along an east-west transect from 13 to 25 July 2013. High resolution vertical profiles were sampled using a titanium ultraclean CTD frame (de Baar et al., 2008) equipped with 24 x 24L PVDF samplers. Samples were filtered (0.2µm, Sartobran 300), drawn into pre-cleaned 250mL Savillex PFA bottles and acidified to 0.4% (v:v) with double-distilled HCl. Dissolved MeHg, as the sum of monomethylHg and dimethylHg, was analyzed via isotope dilution gas chromatography sector field inductively coupled mass spectrometry. Total dissolved Hg was determined following the US EPA 1631 method. We will present high resolution vertical Hg species profiles, including one ultra-high resolution profile (1 sample every 5m-depth) to understand the dynamics along the chemocline (Luther et al., 1991). We will also present the results of the GEOTRACES international intercalibration exercise for dissolved MeHg and dissolved total Hg in surface seawater that we organized during the same cruise. References De Baar HJW, Timmermans KR, Laan P, De Porto HH, Ober S, Blom JJ, Bakker MC, Schilling J, Sarthou G, Smit MG, Klunder M. Titan: A new facility for ultraclean sampling of trace elements and isotopes in the deep oceans in the international Geotraces program. Mar. Chem. 2008, 111(1-2): 4-21. Lamborg CH, Yiğiterhan O, Fitzgerald WF, Balcom PH, Hammerschmidt CR, Murray J.Vertical distribution of mercury species at two sites in the Western Black Sea. Mar.Chem. 2008, 111(1-2): 77-89. Luther III GW, Church TM, Powell D. Sulfur speciation and sulfide oxidation in the water column of the Black Sea. DSR I 1991, 38:1121-1137.

In-vitro detection of artificial caries on vertical dental cavity walls using infrared photothermal radiometry and modulated luminescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jungho; Mandelis, Andreas; Abrams, Stephen H.; Vu, Jaclyn T.; Amaechi, Bennett T.

2012-12-01

The main objective of the study was to investigate the ability of frequency-domain photothermal radiometry (PTR) and modulated luminescence (LUM) to detect secondary caries lesions on the walls of restorations (wall lesions). Changes in experimental PTR-LUM signals due to sequential demineralization on entire vertical walls of sectioned tooth samples were investigated. In addition, transverse micro-radiography (TMR) analysis (used as a gold standard) was conducted to measure the degree of demineralization that occurred in each sample. Statistical correlation between TMR results and PTR-LUM signals was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient. LUM signals were found to be dominated by the scattered component of the incident laser beam. The more clinically relevant cases of localized demineralization and remineralization on vertical walls were also investigated to examine whether PTR-LUM signals are sensitive to demineralization and remineralization of much smaller areas. The overall results demonstrated that PTR-LUM is sensitive to progressive demineralization and remineralization on vertical walls of sectioned tooth samples.

In vitro remineralization of acid-etched human enamel with Ca 3SiO 5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Zhihong; Chang, Jiang; Deng, Yan; Joiner, Andrew

2010-02-01

Bioactive and inductive silicate-based bioceramics play an important role in hard tissue prosthetics such as bone and teeth. In the present study, a model was established to study the acid-etched enamel remineralization with tricalcium silicate (Ca 3SiO 5, C 3S) paste in vitro. After soaking in simulated oral fluid (SOF), Ca-P precipitation layer was formed on the enamel surface, with the prolonged soaking time, apatite layer turned into density and uniformity and thickness increasingly from 250 to 350 nm for 1 day to 1.7-1.9 μm for 7 days. Structure of apatite crystals was similar to that of hydroxyapatite (HAp). At the same time, surface smoothness of the remineralized layer is favorable for the oral hygiene. These results suggested that C 3S treated the acid-etched enamel can induce apatite formation, indicating the biomimic mineralization ability, and C 3S could be used as an agent of inductive biomineralization for the enamel prosthesis and protection.

Sugar Alcohols, Caries Incidence, and Remineralization of Caries Lesions: A Literature Review

PubMed Central

Mäkinen, Kauko K.

2010-01-01

Remineralization of minor enamel defects is a normal physiological process that is well known to clinicians and researchers in dentistry and oral biology. This process can be facilitated by various dietary and oral hygiene procedures and may also concern dentin caries lesions. Dental caries is reversible if detected and treated sufficiently early. Habitual use of xylitol, a sugar alcohol of the pentitol type, can be associated with significant reduction in caries incidence and with tooth remineralization. Other dietary polyols that can remarkably lower the incidence of caries include erythritol which is a tetritol-type alditol. Based on known molecular parameters of simple dietary alditols, it is conceivable to predict that their efficacy in caries prevention will follow the homologous series, that is, that the number of OH-groups present in the alditol molecule will determine the efficacy as follows: erythritol ≥ xylitol > sorbitol. The possible difference between erythritol and xylitol must be confirmed in future clinical trials. PMID:20339492

Evaluation of the remineralization capacity of CPP-ACP containing fluoride varnish by different quantitative methods

PubMed Central

SAVAS, Selcuk; KAVRÌK, Fevzi; KUCUKYÌLMAZ, Ebru

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of CPP-ACP containing fluoride varnish for remineralizing white spot lesions (WSLs) with four different quantitative methods. Material and Methods Four windows (3x3 mm) were created on the enamel surfaces of bovine incisor teeth. A control window was covered with nail varnish, and WSLs were created on the other windows (after demineralization, first week and fourth week) in acidified gel system. The test material (MI Varnish) was applied on the demineralized areas, and the treated enamel samples were stored in artificial saliva. At the fourth week, the enamel surfaces were tested by surface microhardness (SMH), quantitative light-induced fluorescence-digital (QLF-D), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and laser fluorescence (LF pen). The data were statistically analyzed (α=0.05). Results While the LF pen measurements showed significant differences at baseline, after demineralization, and after the one-week remineralization period (p<0.05), the difference between the 1- and 4-week was not significant (p>0.05). With regards to the SMH and QLF-D analyses, statistically significant differences were found among all the phases (p<0.05). After the 1- and 4-week treatment periods, the calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) concentrations and Ca/P ratio were higher compared to those of the demineralization surfaces (p<0.05). Conclusion CPP-ACP containing fluoride varnish provides remineralization of WSLs after a single application and seems suitable for clinical use. PMID:27383699

Effect of different fluoride varnishes on remineralization of artificial enamel carious lesions.

PubMed

Mohd Said, Siti N B; Ekambaram, Manikandan; Yiu, Cynthia K Y

2017-05-01

To compare remineralization potential of topical fluoride varnishes with added calcium phosphate-based delivery systems on artificial enamel caries. Human enamel specimens (n = 60) were randomly divided into six groups: Group 0: Control (no varnish), Group 1: Duraphat ® , Group 2: MI Varnish ™ , Group 3: Embrace ™ Varnish, Group 4: Enamel Pro ® Varnish, and Group 5: Clinpro ™ White Varnish. Specimens were immersed in demineralizing solution for 96 h to create artificial caries lesion. Each specimen was then immersed in artificial saliva for 6 h after fluoride varnish application and pH cycling was performed for 8 days. Specimens were evaluated using Knoop surface microhardness (KHN) and transverse microradiography (TMR). One-way anova test was performed to examine the effect of fluoride varnishes on change in percentage of surface hardness recovery (%SHR), change in lesion depth (ΔLD), and change in mineral loss (ΔΔZ) with the significance limit set at 5%. %SHR of enamel following treatment with Group 1 was significantly higher than Group 3 and Group 4. Conversely, ΔLD and ΔΔZ of Group 1 were significantly higher than Group 2, Group 3, and Group 4. No significant differences in %SHR, ΔLD, and ΔΔZ were found between Group 1 and Group 5. Duraphat ® alone achieves significant remineralization of enamel carious lesions. Clinpro ™ White Varnish had similar enamel remineralization effect as Duraphat ® . © 2016 BSPD, IAPD and John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A source of CO2 to the atmosphere throughout the year in the Maranhense continental shelf (2°30'S, Brazil)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lefèvre, Nathalie; da Silva Dias, Francisco Jose; de Torres, Audálio Rebelo; Noriega, Carlos; Araujo, Moacyr; de Castro, Antonio Carlos Leal; Rocha, Carlos; Jiang, Shan; Ibánhez, J. Severino P.

2017-06-01

To reduce uncertainty regarding the contribution of continental shelf areas in low latitude regions to the air-sea CO2 exchange, more data are required to understand the carbon turnover in these regions and cover gaps in coverage. For the first time, inorganic carbon and alkalinity were measured along a cross-shelf transect off the coast of Maranhão (North Brazil) in 9 cruises spawning from April 2013 to September 2014. On the last 4 transects, dissolved organic matter and nutrients were also measured. The highest inorganic and organic carbon concentrations are observed close to land. As a result of low productivity and significant remineralization, heterotrophy dominates along the transect throughout the year. Although the temporal variability is significantly reduced at the offshore station with carbon concentrations decreasing seaward, the fugacity of CO2 (fCO2) at this station remains significantly higher, especially during the wet season, than the open ocean values measured routinely by a merchant ship further west. Overall, the continental shelf is a weak source of CO2 to the atmosphere throughout the year with an annual mean flux of 1.81±0.84 mmol m-2 d-1. The highest magnitudes of fCO2 are observed during the wet season when the winds are the weakest. As a result, the CO2 flux does not show a clear seasonal pattern. Further offshore, fCO2 is significantly lower than on the continental shelf. However, the oceanic CO2 flux, with an annual mean of 2.32±1.09 mmol m-2 d-1, is not statistically different from the CO2 flux at the continental shelf because the wind is stronger in the open ocean.

Biogeochemistry of Recently Discovered Oxygen-Depleted Mesoscale Eddies in the Open Eastern Tropical North Atlantic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fiedler, B.; Grundle, D.; Löscher, C. R.; Schütte, F.; Hauss, H.; Karstensen, J.; Silva, P.; Koertzinger, A.

2016-02-01

Severely oxygen-depleted mesoscale features in the open eastern tropical North Atlantic, which are formed in the Mauritanian upwelling region, were discovered only recently. So far, few remote surveys conducted with autonomous platforms such as moorings, underwater gliders and profiling floats have provided a very first insight into these mesoscale eddies. Due to their hydrographic properties such water bodies are well isolated from ambient waters and therefore can develop severe near-surface oxygen deficits. In this presentation we show results from the first-ever biogeochemical survey of one of these anticyclonic mode-water eddies conducted in spring 2014 at the Cape Verde Ocean Observatory (CVOO) off West Africa. Very low oxygen concentrations of 4.5 µmol kg-1 associated with a CO2 partial pressure of 1164 µatm were found close to the core of the eddy (at 100 m depth). Measurements for nitrate and phosphate also show exceptional high values. Findings point to rapid oxygen consumption through remineralization of organic matter along with depressed lateral mixing of this water body. Indeed, rates for oxygen utilization (OUR) were found to be enhanced when compared to known values in the Atlantic. A closer look into the carbonate system inside the eddýs core revealed disadvantageous conditions for calcifying organisms with the pH dropping down to 7.6 and the Aragonite saturation level reaching 1 at the lower boundary of the euphotic zone. Finally, strong indications for a shift in nitrogen cycling in the core of the eddy from nitrification towards denitrification were found based on gene abundance and N2O-isotope analyses. To our knowledge such severe hypoxic and even suboxic near-surface conditions along with active denitrification have never been reported before in the open Atlantic Ocean.

Early diagenesis in the sediments of the Congo deep-sea fan dominated by massive terrigenous deposits: Part II - Iron-sulfur coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taillefert, Martial; Beckler, Jordon S.; Cathalot, Cécile; Michalopoulos, Panagiotis; Corvaisier, Rudolph; Kiriazis, Nicole; Caprais, Jean-Claude; Pastor, Lucie; Rabouille, Christophe

2017-08-01

Deep-sea fans are well known depot centers for organic carbon that should promote sulfate reduction. At the same time, the high rates of deposition of unconsolidated metal oxides from terrigenous origin may also promote metal-reducing microbial activity. To investigate the eventual coupling between the iron and sulfur cycles in these environments, shallow sediment cores (< 50 cm) across various channels and levees in the Congo River deep-sea fan ( 5000 m) were profiled using a combination of geochemical methods. Interestingly, metal reduction dominated suboxic carbon remineralization processes in most of these sediments, while dissolved sulfide was absent. In some 'hotspot' patches, however, sulfate reduction produced large sulfide concentrations which supported chemosynthetic-based benthic megafauna. These environments were characterized by sharp geochemical boundaries compared to the iron-rich background environment, suggesting that FeS precipitation efficiently titrated iron and sulfide from the pore waters. A companion study demonstrated that methanogenesis was active in the deep sediment layers of these patchy ecosystems, suggesting that sulfate reduction was promoted by alternative anaerobic processes. These highly reduced habitats could be fueled by discrete, excess inputs of highly labile natural organic matter from Congo River turbidites or by exhumation of buried sulfide during channel flank erosion and slumping. Sulfidic conditions may be maintained by the mineralization of decomposition products from local benthic macrofauna or bacterial symbionts or by the production of more crystalline Fe(III) oxide phases that are less thermodynamically favorable than sulfate reduction in these bioturbated sediments. Overall, the iron and sulfur biogeochemical cycling in this environment is unique and much more similar to a coastal ecosystem than a deep-sea environment.

The CARIACO Ocean Time-Series: two decades of oceanographic observations to understand linkages between biogeochemistry, ecology, and long-term environmental variability.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lorenzoni, L.; Muller-Karger, F. E.; Rueda-Roa, D. T.; Thunell, R.; Scranton, M. I.; Taylor, G. T.; benitez-Nelson, C. R.; Montes, E.; Astor, Y. M.; Rojas, J.

2016-02-01

The CARIACO Ocean Time-Series project, located in the Cariaco Basin off the coast of Venezuela, seeks to understand relationships between hydrography, primary production, community composition, microbial activity, particle fluxes, and element cycling in the water column, and how variations in these processes are preserved in sediments accumulating in this anoxic basin. CARIACO uses autonomous and shipboard measurements to understand ecological and biogeochemical changes and how these relate to regional and global climatic/ocean variability. CARIACO is a model for national ocean observing programs in Central/South America, and has been developed as a community facility platform with open access to all data (http://imars.marine.usf.edu/cariaco). Research resulting from this program has contributed to knowledge about the decomposition and cycling of particles, the biological pump, and to our understanding of the ecology and oceanography of oxygen minimum zones. Despite this basin being anoxic below 250m, remineralization rates of organic matter are comparable to those in well oxygenated waters. A dynamic microbial community significantly influences carbon and nutrient biogeochemical cycling throughout the water column. Since 1995, declining particulate organic carbon fluxes have been measured throughout the water column using sediment traps, likely in response to declining Chl-a concentrations and smaller phytoplankton which have replaced the larger taxa over the past decade. This community shift appears to be caused by regional changes in the physical regime. CARIACO also recorded marked long-term changes in surface and deep DIC in response to a combination of factors including surface water warming. The observations of CARIACO highlight the importance of a sustained, holistic approach to studying biodiversity, ecology and the marine carbon cycle to predict potential impacts of climate change on the ocean's ecosystem services and carbon sequestration efficiency.

Deep ocean communities impacted by changing climate over 24 y in the abyssal northeast Pacific Ocean.

PubMed

Smith, Kenneth L; Ruhl, Henry A; Kahru, Mati; Huffard, Christine L; Sherman, Alana D

2013-12-03

The deep ocean, covering a vast expanse of the globe, relies almost exclusively on a food supply originating from primary production in surface waters. With well-documented warming of oceanic surface waters and conflicting reports of increasing and decreasing primary production trends, questions persist about how such changes impact deep ocean communities. A 24-y time-series study of sinking particulate organic carbon (food) supply and its utilization by the benthic community was conducted in the abyssal northeast Pacific (~4,000-m depth). Here we show that previous findings of food deficits are now punctuated by large episodic surpluses of particulate organic carbon reaching the sea floor, which meet utilization. Changing surface ocean conditions are translated to the deep ocean, where decadal peaks in supply, remineralization, and sequestration of organic carbon have broad implications for global carbon budget projections.

Deep ocean communities impacted by changing climate over 24 y in the abyssal northeast Pacific Ocean

PubMed Central

Smith, Kenneth L.; Ruhl, Henry A.; Kahru, Mati; Huffard, Christine L.; Sherman, Alana D.

2013-01-01

The deep ocean, covering a vast expanse of the globe, relies almost exclusively on a food supply originating from primary production in surface waters. With well-documented warming of oceanic surface waters and conflicting reports of increasing and decreasing primary production trends, questions persist about how such changes impact deep ocean communities. A 24-y time-series study of sinking particulate organic carbon (food) supply and its utilization by the benthic community was conducted in the abyssal northeast Pacific (∼4,000-m depth). Here we show that previous findings of food deficits are now punctuated by large episodic surpluses of particulate organic carbon reaching the sea floor, which meet utilization. Changing surface ocean conditions are translated to the deep ocean, where decadal peaks in supply, remineralization, and sequestration of organic carbon have broad implications for global carbon budget projections. PMID:24218565

Dissolved Organic Carbon in the North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.

PubMed

Fontela, Marcos; García-Ibáñez, Maribel I; Hansell, Dennis A; Mercier, Herlé; Pérez, Fiz F

2016-05-31

The quantitative role of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) export is evaluated by combining DOC measurements with observed water mass transports. In the eastern subpolar North Atlantic, both upper and lower limbs of the AMOC transport high-DOC waters. Deep water formation that connects the two limbs of the AMOC results in a high downward export of non-refractory DOC (197 Tg-C·yr(-1)). Subsequent remineralization in the lower limb of the AMOC, between subpolar and subtropical latitudes, consumes 72% of the DOC exported by the whole Atlantic Ocean. The contribution of DOC to the carbon sequestration in the North Atlantic Ocean (62 Tg-C·yr(-1)) is considerable and represents almost a third of the atmospheric CO2 uptake in the region.

Dissolved Organic Carbon in the North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation

PubMed Central

Fontela, Marcos; García-Ibáñez, Maribel I.; Hansell, Dennis A.; Mercier, Herlé; Pérez, Fiz F.

2016-01-01

The quantitative role of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) export is evaluated by combining DOC measurements with observed water mass transports. In the eastern subpolar North Atlantic, both upper and lower limbs of the AMOC transport high-DOC waters. Deep water formation that connects the two limbs of the AMOC results in a high downward export of non-refractory DOC (197 Tg-C·yr−1). Subsequent remineralization in the lower limb of the AMOC, between subpolar and subtropical latitudes, consumes 72% of the DOC exported by the whole Atlantic Ocean. The contribution of DOC to the carbon sequestration in the North Atlantic Ocean (62 Tg-C·yr−1) is considerable and represents almost a third of the atmospheric CO2 uptake in the region. PMID:27240625

Characterization of P status in forest soils: stocks, fluxes and models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Achat, D. L.; Morel, C.; Bakker, M.; Augusto, L.; Gallet-Budynek, A.; Gonzalez, M.; Jonard, M.

2010-12-01

Phosphorus (P) is a critical limiting factor of plant growth and production in many ecosystems, which often require to be fertilized. However, there is an increasing concern regarding appropriate local and global management of phosphorus resources, since the existing finite phosphate reserves are rapidly being depleted. This implies to understand what processes (biological, physico-chemical) are governing soil P availability in agroecosystems, and in particular in forests, which will be increasingly managed for their C-sink potential in the future. We characterized the P status in forest soils of the largest managed pine forest in Europe (Landes of Gascogne, southwest of France) using isotopic and extraction methods, as well as modelling approaches. Total P concentration in topsoils were extremely low, ranging from 7 to 195 mg Pkg-1. The concentration of phosphate ions in solution decreased with depth and was related to the Al and Fe oxide content, which controlled the diffusion of P from the soil solid phase to the solution. The gross amount of diffusive P in one week as determined by 32P isotopic dilution in batch experiments was low, ranging from 0.2 to 52 mg P kg-1 in the topsoil layer, and could be predicted by pedotransfer functions built on the Al and Fe oxide and soil organic matter contents. Organic P represented 80% of total P in litter and 60% in the surface mineral soil layer, suggesting a higher contribution of biological processes to soil P cycling. Biological mineralization of organic P was quantified using a long-term incubation study (154 days) of a low-sorbing soil labelled with 33P, associated with a batch experiment with 32P labelled soil: gross mineralization of dead soil organic matter and diffusive phosphate P were low (<1 mg kg-1 ) compared to the remineralization of microbial P (14mg kg-1). A modelling approach combined to these isotopic measurements showed that 80 % of microbial P turned over very quickly (5-9 days), while 20% turned over in more than 100 days. An additional long-term incubation (517 days) monitoring changes in the different P pools also showed that organic P mineralization produced a 600-5000% increase in the soil solution P i.e. the readily plant-available P. Therefore soil micro-organisms and organic P transformations potentially played a major role in the bioavailability and cycling of P in this managed forest ecosystem relatively to physico-chemical processes, especially in the most organic soil layers, where fine root length density was the highest. The integration of these different processes in a predictive model allowed to correctly simulate the P uptake by pine seedlings in a pot experiment. The results of this work suggest that predictive tools that integrate the different mechanisms governing soil P availability could be used for long-term management of forest ecosystems.

Global evaluation of particulate organic carbon flux parameterizations and implications for atmospheric pCO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gloege, Lucas; McKinley, Galen A.; Mouw, Colleen B.; Ciochetto, Audrey B.

2017-07-01

The shunt of photosynthetically derived particulate organic carbon (POC) from the euphotic zone and deep remineralization comprises the basic mechanism of the "biological carbon pump." POC raining through the "twilight zone" (euphotic depth to 1 km) and "midnight zone" (1 km to 4 km) is remineralized back to inorganic form through respiration. Accurately modeling POC flux is critical for understanding the "biological pump" and its impacts on air-sea CO2 exchange and, ultimately, long-term ocean carbon sequestration. Yet commonly used parameterizations have not been tested quantitatively against global data sets using identical modeling frameworks. Here we use a single one-dimensional physical-biogeochemical modeling framework to assess three common POC flux parameterizations in capturing POC flux observations from moored sediment traps and thorium-234 depletion. The exponential decay, Martin curve, and ballast model are compared to data from 11 biogeochemical provinces distributed across the globe. In each province, the model captures satellite-based estimates of surface primary production within uncertainties. Goodness of fit is measured by how well the simulation captures the observations, quantified by bias and the root-mean-square error and displayed using "target diagrams." Comparisons are presented separately for the twilight zone and midnight zone. We find that the ballast hypothesis shows no improvement over a globally or regionally parameterized Martin curve. For all provinces taken together, Martin's b that best fits the data is [0.70, 0.98]; this finding reduces by at least a factor of 3 previous estimates of potential impacts on atmospheric pCO2 of uncertainty in POC export to a more modest range [-16 ppm, +12 ppm].

Variations of iron flux and organic carbon remineralization in a subterranean estuary caused by inter-annual variations in recharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roy, Moutusi; Martin, Jonathan B.; Cable, Jaye E.; Smith, Christopher G.

2013-02-01

We determine the inter-annual variations in diagenetic reaction rates of sedimentary iron (Fe) in an east Florida subterranean estuary and evaluate the connection between metal fluxes and recharge to the coastal aquifer. Over the three years study period (from 2004 to 2007), the amount of Fe-oxides reduced at the study site decreased from 192 to 153 g/yr and associated organic carbon (OC) remineralization decreased from 48 to 38 g/yr. These reductions occurred although the Fe-oxide reduction rates remained constant around 1 mg/cm2/yr. These results suggest that changes in flow rates of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) related to changes in precipitation may be important to fluxes of the diagenetic reaction products. Rainfall at a weather station approximately 5 km from the field area decreased from 12.6 to 8.4 cm/month from 2004 to 2007. Monthly potential evapotranspiration (PET) calculated from Thornthwaite's method indicated potential evapotranspiration cycled from about 3 cm/month in the winter to about 15 cm/month in the summer so that net annual recharge to the aquifer decreased from 40 cm in 2004 to -10 cm in 2007. Simultaneously with the decrease in recharge of groundwater, freshwater SGD decreased by around 20% and caused the originally 25 m wide freshwater seepage face to decrease in width by about 5 m. The smaller seepage face reduced the area under which Fe-oxides were undergoing reductive dissolution. Consequently, the observed decrease in Fe flux is controlled by hydrology of the subterranean estuary. These results point out the need to better understand linkages between temporal variations in diagenetic reactions and changes in flow within subterranean estuaries in order to accurately constrain their contribution to oceanic fluxes of solutes from subterranean estuaries.

Mercury sources, distribution, and bioavailability in the North Pacific Ocean: Insights from data and models

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sunderland, E.M.; Krabbenhoft, D.P.; Moreau, J.W.; Strode, S.A.; Landing, W.M.

2009-01-01

Fish harvested from the Pacific Ocean are a major contributor to human methylmercury (MeHg) exposure. Limited oceanic mercury (Hg) data, particularly MeHg, has confounded our understanding of linkages between sources, methylation sites, and concentrations in marine food webs. Here we present methylated (MeHg and dimethylmercury (Me2Hg)) and total Hg concentrations from 16 hydrographie stations in the eastern North Pacific Ocean. We use these data in combination with information from previous cruises and coupled atmospheric-oceanic modeling results to better understand controls on Hg concentrations, distribution, and bioavailability. Total Hg concentrations (average 1.14 ?? 0.38 pM) are elevated relative to previous cruises. Modeling results agree with observed increases and suggest that at present atmospheric Hg deposition rates, basin-wide Hg concentrations will double relative to circa 1995 by 2050. Methylated Hg accounts for up to 29% of the total Hg in subsurface waters (average 260 ??114 fM). We observed lower ambient methylated Hg concentrations in the euphotic zone and older, deeper water masses, which likely result from decay of MeHg and Me2Hg when net production is not occurring. We found a significant, positive linear relationship between methylated Hg concentrations and rates of organic carbon remineralization (r2 = 0.66, p < 0.001). These results provide evidence for the importance of particulate organic carbon (POC) transport and remineralization on the production and distribution of methylated Hg species in marine waters. Specifically, settling POC provides a source of inorganic Hg(II) to microbially active subsurface waters and can also provide a substrate for microbial activity facilitating water column methylation. Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.

pH-cycling models for in vitro evaluation of the efficacy of fluoridated dentifrices for caries control: strengths and limitations

PubMed Central

BUZALAF, Marília Afonso Rabelo; HANNAS, Angélica Reis; MAGALHÃES, Ana Carolina; RIOS, Daniela; HONÓRIO, Heitor Marques; DELBEM, Alberto Carlos Botazzo

2010-01-01

Despite a plethora of in situ studies and clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of fluoridated dentifrices on caries control, in vitro pH cycling models are still broadly used because they mimic the dynamics of mineral loss and gain involved in caries formation. This paper critically reviews the current literature on existing pH-cycling models for the in vitro evaluation of the efficacy of fluoridated dentifrices for caries control, focusing on their strengths and limitations. A search was undertaken in the MEDLINE electronic journal database using the keywords "pH-cycling", "demineralization", "remineralization", "in vitro", "fluoride", "dentifrice". The primary outcome was the decrease of demineralization or the increase of remineralization as measured by different methods (e.g.: transverse microradiography) or tooth fluoride uptake. Inclusion of studies, data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken independently and in duplicate by two members of the review team. Disagreements were solved by discussion and consensus or by a third party. One hundred and sixteen studies were included, of which 42 addressed specifically the comparison of dentifrices using different pH-cycling models. The other studies included meta-analysis or reviews, data about the effect of different fluoride sources on de-remineralization, different methods for analysis de-remineralization and chemical variables and characteristics of dental hard tissues that might have influence on de-remineralization processes. Generally, the studies presented ability to detect known results established by clinical trials, to demonstrate dose-related responses in the fluoride content of the dentifrices, and to provide repeatability and reproducibility between tests. In order to accomplish these features satisfactorily, it is mandatory to take into account the type of substrate and baseline artificial lesion, as well as the adequate response variables and statistical approaches to be used. This critical review of literature showed that the currently available pH-cycling models are appropriate to detect dose-response and pH-response of fluoride dentifrices, and to evaluate the impact of new active principles on the effect of fluoridated dentifrices, as well as their association with other anti-caries treatments. PMID:20835565

Study on the influence of leucine-rich amelogenin peptide (LRAP) on the remineralization of enamel defects via micro-focus x-ray computed tomography and nanoindentation.

PubMed

Bagheri G, Hossein; Sadr, Alireza; Espigares, Jorge; Hariri, Ilnaz; Nakashima, Syozi; Hamba, Hidenori; Shafiei, Farhad; Moztarzadeh, Fathollah; Tagami, Junji

2015-06-04

Regeneration of severely damaged enamel (e.g. deep demineralized lesions) is currently not possible, because the structural units of enamel crystal construction are removed after its maturation. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of surface impregnation by leucine-rich amelogenin peptide (LRAP) on the remineralization of eroded enamel using micro-focus x-ray computed tomography (µCT). Fifteen bovine enamel blocks were embedded in resin and three zones (sound, demineralization, and remineralization) were defined on each specimen. Lesions were prepared by immersing the samples in demineralization solution for 7 d. The samples were soaked in distilled water or 60 or 120 µg mL(-1) solution of LRAP in water for 30 min. After the surface treatment, specimens were incubated in artificial saliva for either 5 or 10 d at 37 °C. The amount of mineral gain (dΔZ%) and the relative changes in the lesion depth (dLD%), obtained from µCT, were used to evaluate the effect of LRAP on the remineralization of lesions. The effects of LRAP on cross-sectional integrated hardness ΔINH were studied after 10 d using nanoindentation. ANOVA test was used to determine the effect of time and/or LRAP concentration on dΔZ%, dLD% and ΔINH mean values. Tukey's analysis was used for multiple comparison testing (α = 0.05). Analysis of µCT data showed significant effect of time and LRAP concentration on the dΔZ% (p = 0.013, p = 0.003) and the dLD% (p  <  0.001, p = 0.002) mean values. The nanoindentation hardness was significantly improved by 120 µg mL(-1) LRAP (p = 0.02). Also, the peptide treatment affected the mineral distribution throughout the lesion by inhibiting of superficial deposition. This study showed that the treatment of eroded lesions in enamel by LRAP can improve and regulate the pattern of remineralization in vitro.

Remineralization of eroded enamel by a NaF rinse containing a novel calcium phosphate agent in an in situ model: a pilot study

PubMed Central

Amaechi, Bennett T; Karthikeyan, Ramalingam; Mensinkai, Poornima K; Najibfard, Kaveh; Mackey, Allen C; Karlinsey, Robert L

2010-01-01

Purpose An in situ study evaluated the remineralization potential of 225 ppm fluoride (F) rinses with and without a calcium phosphate agent (TCP-Si-Ur) on eroded enamel. Methods 20 human patients participated in this IRB approved study. Enamel blocks extracted from 20 human molars were assigned to each of the three study phases (G1, G2, G3). Each block was eroded using 1% citric acid (pH = 2.5), with a slice cut from each block to establish baseline lesion parameters (ie, integrated mineral loss ΔZ, and lesion depth LD) using transverse microradiography (TMR). Participants and assigned blocks were randomly divided into three 28-day phases. The blocks were mounted into modified orthodontic brackets and bonded to the buccal surface of one of the subject’s mandibular molars. The appliance remained in the subject’s mouth for 28 days. Prior to each study phase, participants observed a one-week-washout period using a fluoride-free dentifrice. In each phase, participants brushed with the fluoride-free dentifrice for 1 min, followed by one of the following coded treatments: G1: 225 ppm F + 40 ppm TCP-Si-Ur rinse (1 min); G2: 225 ppm F rinse (1 min); G3: no rinse (saliva-only). After each phase, appliances were removed and specimens were analyzed using TMR. Results TMR data (ie, ΔZ and LD) revealed all three groups significantly remineralized eroded enamel (paired t-tests, P < 0.001). Net mineralization (% change in ΔZ, LD) were as follows (mean (std.dev): G1: 44.1 (22.6), 30.5 (27.0); G2: 30.0 (7.4), 29.4 (10.5); G3: 23.8 (16.4), 25.7 (15.5). Furthermore, G1 was found to cause significantly more remineralization than G2 (P = 0.039) and G3, (P = 0.002). Conclusion Mouthrinse containing 225 ppm F plus TCP-Si-Ur provided significantly greater remineralization relative to 225 ppm F only or saliva alone. PMID:23662086

Fluoride toothpaste containing 1.5% arginine and insoluble calcium as a new standard of care in caries prevention.

PubMed

ten Cate, J M; Cummins, D

2013-01-01

In spite of obvious achievements in prevention, caries remains a prevalent disease. Fluorides are effective by inhibiting enamel and dentin demineralization and enhancing remineralization, but have little or no influence on bacterial processes in dental plaque. Dental caries is a continuum of stages from reversible, early lesions to irreversible, pre-cavitated lesions and, ultimately, to cavities. Prevention should focus on strengthening protective and reducing pathological factors, and careful monitoring of the disease state. While fluoride and the mineral aspects of caries have been in focus for decades, new insights into the etiology of caries have generated novel concepts and approaches to its prevention and treatment. The observation that some plaque bacteria can produce alkali metabolites and, thus, raise pH or neutralize acid formed in plaque has long been known. Such pH rise factors are related to caries susceptibility. Nourishing the plaque with substrates that encourage alkali-producing reactions is a protective factor in the caries continuum. This article reviews the results of clinical studies with a novel toothpaste containing 1.5% arginine, an insoluble calcium compound, and fluoride which have demonstrated superior remineralization of white spot enamel lesions and rehardening of root surface lesions, favorable effects on the de-/remineralization balance, as well as superior cavity prevention efficacy compared to toothpaste with fluoride alone. Studies have also confirmed formation of ammonia and elevated pH levels in subjects using the arginine-containing toothpaste. This novel toothpaste effectively combines the established effects of fluoride on de- and remineralization with reduction of caries-inducing pathological factors resulting from plaque metabolism.

Effects of Composites Containing Bioactive Glasses on Demineralized Dentin.

PubMed

Tezvergil-Mutluay, A; Seseogullari-Dirihan, R; Feitosa, V P; Cama, G; Brauer, D S; Sauro, S

2017-08-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the degradation of completely demineralized dentin specimens in contact with a filler-free or 2 ion-releasing resins containing micrometer-sized particles of Bioglass 45S5 (BAG) or fluoride-containing phosphate-rich bioactive glass (BAG-F). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also used to evaluate the remineralization induced by the experimental ion-releasing resin-based materials. Dentin beams were totally demineralized in H 3 PO 4 (10%) and placed in direct contact with a filler-free (RESIN) or 2 experimental ion-releasing resins (BAG or BAG-F) and immersed in artificial saliva (AS) up to 30 d. Further specimens were also processed and submitted to FTIR and SEM analysis to evaluate the remineralization induced by such ion-releasing resins before and after AS immersion. BAG and BAG-F alkalinized the incubation media. A significant decrease of the dry mass was observed between the specimens of all groups stored for 3 and 30 d in AS. However, the fluoride-containing phosphate-rich bioactive glass incorporated into a resin-based material (BAG-F) showed greater ability in reducing the solubilization of C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide (ICTP) and C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) after prolonged AS storage. Moreover, after 30 d of AS storage, BAG-F showed the greatest remineralizing effect on the stiffness of the completely demineralized dentin matrices. In conclusion, fluoride-containing phosphate-rich bioactive glass incorporated as micrometer-sized filler in dental composites may offer greater beneficial effects than Bioglass 45S5 in reducing the enzyme-mediated degradation and remineralization of demineralized dentin.

Remineralization Capacity of Three Fissure Sealants with and without Gaseous Ozone on Non-Cavitated Incipient Pit and Fissure Caries.

PubMed

Unal, M; Oztas, N

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the remineralization activation of the application of three fissure sealants (FSs), alone or with gaseous ozone (GO), on non-cavitated initial caries and evaluate the clinical success of FS. Sixty children who had DIAGNOdent scores between 10-30 on bilateral symmetric mandibular first permanent molars were included in study. In a split-mouth design, teeth were assigned to experimental (with GO) and control (without GO) groups. GO was applied to teeth on one side and then the same brand of randomly selected FSs was applied to the teeth on both sides. Children were divided into 3 groups based on type of FS (Group 1: Aegis {Bosworth Co, North Hamlin Avenue Skokie, Illinois, USA}, Group 2: Fuji Triage {GC, Tokyo, Japan}, Group 3: Helioseal {Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein, Germany}). All FSs were then examined for retention rates at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months; at the end of 12 months, all FSs were removed with an air-abrasion device and DIAGNOdent scores noted to compare with the initial values. The application of GO with either Fuji Triage or Aegis FS was effective on remineralization (p<0.05); however, the application of Helioseal FSs was not effective (p>0.05). The 1(st) and 12(th) months' full retention rates of Fuji Triage FSs was a significant difference (p<0.05) from other FSs (Aegis and Helioseal) (p>0.05). GO+Aegis FS showed the highest remineralization; and, at the end of 12 months, its clinical success was higher than other FSs.

A Direct Electric Field-Aided Biomimetic Mineralization System for Inducing the Remineralization of Dentin Collagen Matrix

PubMed Central

Wu, Xiao-Ting; Mei, May Lei; Li, Quan-Li; Cao, Chris Ying; Chen, Jia-Long; Xia, Rong; Zhang, Zhi-Hong; Chu, Chun Hung

2015-01-01

This in vitro study aimed to accelerate the remineralization of a completely demineralized dentine collagen block in order to regenerate the dentinal microstructure of calcified collagen fibrils by a novel electric field-aided biomimetic mineralization system in the absence of non-collagenous proteins. Completely demineralized human dentine slices were prepared using ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and treated with guanidine hydrochloride to extract the bound non-collagenous proteins. The completely demineralized dentine collagen blocks were then remineralized in a calcium chloride agarose hydrogel and a sodium hydrogen phosphate and fluoride agarose hydrogel. This process was accelerated by subjecting the hydrogels to electrophoresis at 20 mA for 4 and 12 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to evaluate the resultant calcification of the dentin collagen matrix. SEM indicated that mineral particles were precipitated on the intertubular dentin collagen matrix; these densely packed crystals mimicked the structure of the original mineralized dentin. However, the dentinal tubules were not occluded by the mineral crystals. XRD and EDX both confirmed that the deposited crystals were fluorinated hydroxyapatite. TEM revealed the existence of intrafibrillar and interfibrillar mineralization of the collagen fibrils. A novel electric field-aided biomimetic mineralization system was successfully developed to remineralize a completely demineralized dentine collagen matrix in the absence of non-collagenous proteins. This study developed an accelerated biomimetic mineralization system which can be a potential protocol for the biomineralization of dentinal defects. PMID:28793685

Geochemical Processes During Managed Aquifer Recharge With Desalinated Seawater

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganot, Y.; Holtzman, R.; Weisbrod, N.; Russak, A.; Katz, Y.; Kurtzman, D.

2018-02-01

We study geochemical processes along the variably-saturated zone during managed aquifer recharge (MAR) with reverse-osmosis desalinated seawater (DSW). The DSW, post-treated at the desalination plant by calcite dissolution (remineralization) to meet the Israeli water quality standards, is recharged into the Israeli Coastal Aquifer through an infiltration pond. Water quality monitoring during two MAR events using suction cups and wells inside the pond indicates that cation exchange is the dominant subsurface reaction, driven by the high Ca2+ concentration in the post-treated DSW. Stable isotope analysis shows that the shallow groundwater composition is similar to the recharged DSW, except for enrichment of Mg2+, Na+, Ca2+, and HCO3-. A calibrated variably-saturated reactive transport model is used to predict the geochemical evolution during 50 years of MAR for two water quality scenarios: (i) post-treated DSW (current practice) and (ii) soft DSW (lacking the remineralization post-treatment process). The latter scenario was aimed to test soil-aquifer-treatment (SAT) as an alternative post-treatment technique. Both scenarios provide an enrichment of ˜2.5 mg L-1 in Mg2+ due to cation exchange, compared to practically zero Mg2+ currently found in the Israeli DSW. Simulations of the alternative SAT scenario provide Ca2+ and HCO3- remineralization due to calcite dissolution at levels that meet the Israeli standard for DSW. The simulated calcite content reduction in the sediments below the infiltration pond after 50 years of MAR was low (<1%). Our findings suggest that remineralization using SAT for DSW is a potentially sustainable practice at MAR sites overlying calcareous sandy aquifers.

Comparative evaluation of the remineralizing efficacy of calcium sodium phosphosilicate agent and fluoride based on quantitative and qualitative analysis.

PubMed

Mony, Saranya; Rao, Arathi; Shenoy, Ramya; Suprabha, Baranya Srikrishna

2015-01-01

Calcium sodium phosphosilicate (NovaMin) is an agent that is claimed to release calcium and phosphate ions intraorally to help the self-repair process of enamel. It is used extensively as a desensitizing agent, but the chemical reactions that occur may promote apatite formation enhancing remineralization. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the ability of NovaMin to remineralize an experimentally induced demineralized lesion. The evaluation was done based on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of enamel over the period of 15 and 30 days. A sample of 120 noncarious premolar teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons were used for the study. Baseline data for hardness, Ca/PO 4 , and surface characteristics before and after demineralization process was obtained. All the teeth were brushed twice daily at 12 h interval with the test agents using a powered toothbrush for 2 min. The samples were tested on the 15 th and 30 th day. Calcium phosphate ratio and hardness in both the groups improved during the study period. Fluoride group showed higher values for Ca/PO 4 and hardness but was not statistically significant with the P > 0.05. Scanning electron microscope pictures showed that the deposition of the material over the decalcified enamel is more smoother and uniform with NovaMin and more irregular with fluoride. NovaMin is found to be as effective in improving the Ca/PO 4 ratio and hardness in a demineralized enamel as fluoride. Hence, it can be a new alternate material for remineralization of enamel with less toxic effects compared to fluorides.

Comparison between Fluoride and Nano-hydroxyapatite in Remineralizing Initial Enamel Lesion: An in vitro Study.

PubMed

Daas, Issa; Badr, Sherine; Osman, Essam

2018-03-01

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HAP) paste and fluoride varnish in remineralizing initial enamel lesion in young permanent teeth and their ability to resist secondary caries under dynamic pH cycling quantitatively and qualitatively. Initial caries-like lesions were artificially developed on 45 specimens. Specimens were divided into three groups: (1) Control (without treatment), (2) fluoride varnish (3M ESPE), and (3) nano-HAP paste (Desensibilize Nano P). The nano-HAP paste was applied twice separated by one pH cycle, and the varnish was applied only once followed by 7 days of pH cycling. All specimens were examined using DIAGNOdent® pen (KaVo, Germany), and a representative specimen was randomly selected from each group for qualitative evaluation using scanning electron microscope (SEM) at four stages: Baseline, after lesion formation, immediately after remineralization, and after pH cycling. Data were statistically analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20. The degree of demineralization was significantly elevated in control group; however, no significant difference was found between fluoride varnish group and nano-HAP paste group (p < 0.001). Nano-HAP paste showed promising long-term protective effect in terms of surface depositions and maintaining a smooth surface compared with fluoride varnish. Based on the findings of this study, nano-HAP paste might be recommended as alternative remineralizing agent with lower fluoride concentration than fluoride varnish that could be beneficial for children, pregnant females, and those who are at high risk of dental fluorosis.

Effect of Fluoride Varnish on Enamel Remineralization in Anterior Teeth with Molar Incisor Hypomineralization.

PubMed

Restrepo, Manuel; Jeremias, Fabiano; Santos-Pinto, Lourdes; Cordeiro, Rita Cl; Zuanon, Angela Cc

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of fluoride varnish on remineralization of anterior teeth affected by Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) by means of Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence- QLF. Fifty-one healthy 9 - 12- year-old children were selected according to different clinically diagnosed levels of MIH, proposed by the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (2003) (considering the most severe lesion per patient, n= 51 lesions), and randomly divided into two groups: (1) four applications of 5% NaF varnish, with one-week interval, and (2) usual home care- control. At each visit, the mean change in fluorescence and area of lesion were measured by QLF. The data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's test. All patients showed enamel alterations in first permanent molars and incisors, frequently with two molars affected by MIH (41.1%). There was no statically significant difference in the mean of fluorescence and area of lesion between groups over the studied time. We observed no favorable effect on the remineralization of MIH lesions in anterior teeth after four applications of fluoride varnish.

Lesion dehydration rate changes with the surface layer thickness during enamel remineralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Nai-Yuan N.; Jew, Jamison M.; Fried, Daniel

2018-02-01

A transparent highly mineralized outer surface zone is formed on caries lesions during remineralization that reduces the permeability to water and plaque generated acids. However, it has not been established how thick the surface zone should be to inhibit the penetration of these fluids. Near-IR (NIR) reflectance coupled with dehydration can be used to measure changes in the fluid permeability of lesions in enamel and dentin. Based on our previous studies, we postulate that there is a strong correlation between the surface layer thickness and the rate of dehydration. In this study, the rates of dehydration for simulated lesions in enamel with varying remineralization durations were measured. Reflectance imaging at NIR wavelengths from 1400-2300 nm, which coincides with higher water absorption and manifests the greatest sensitivity to contrast changes during dehydration measurements, was used to image simulated enamel lesions. The results suggest that the relationship between surface zone thickness and lesion permeability is highly non-linear, and that a small increase in the surface layer thickness may lead to a significant decrease in permeability.

The valuation of water quality: effects of mixing different drinking water qualities.

PubMed

Rygaard, Martin; Arvin, Erik; Binning, Philip J

2009-03-01

As water supplies increasingly turn to use desalination technologies it becomes relevant to consider the options for remineralization and blending with mineral rich water resources. We present a method for analyzing economic consequences due to changes in drinking water mineral content. Included impacts are cardiovascular diseases, dental caries, atopic eczema, lifetime of dish and clothes washing machines, heat exchangers, distribution systems, bottled water consumption and soap usage. The method includes an uncertainty assessment that ranks the impacts having the highest influence on the result and associated uncertainty. Effects are calculated for a scenario where 50% of Copenhagen's water supply is substituted by desalinated water. Without remineralization the total impact is expected to be negative (euro -0.44+/-0.2/m(3)) and individual impacts expected in the range of euro 0.01-0.51/m(3) delivered water. Health impacts have the highest contribution to impact size and uncertainty. With remineralization it is possible to reduce several negative impacts and the total impact is expected to be positive (euro 0.14+/-0.08/m(3)).

Modeling Remineralization of Desalinated Water by Micronized Calcite Dissolution.

PubMed

Hasson, David; Fine, Larissa; Sagiv, Abraham; Semiat, Raphael; Shemer, Hilla

2017-11-07

A widely used process for remineralization of desalinated water consists of dissolution of calcite particles by flow of acidified desalinated water through a bed packed with millimeter-size calcite particles. An alternative process consists of calcite dissolution by slurry flow of micron-size calcite particles with acidified desalinated water. The objective of this investigation is to provide theoretical models enabling design of remineralization by calcite slurry dissolution with carbonic and sulfuric acids. Extensive experimental results are presented displaying the effects of acid concentration, slurry feed concentration, and dissolution contact time. The experimental data are shown to be in agreement within less than 10% with theoretical predictions based on the simplifying assumption that the slurry consists of uniform particles represented by the surface mean diameter of the powder. Agreement between theory and experiment is improved by 1-8% by taking into account the powder size distribution. Apart from the practical value of this work in providing a hitherto lacking design tool for a novel technology. The paper has the merit of being among the very few publications providing experimental confirmation to the theory describing reaction kinetics in a segregated flow system.

In vivo remineralization of dentin using an agarose hydrogel biomimetic mineralization system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Min; Li, Quan-Li; Cao, Ying; Fang, Hui; Xia, Rong; Zhang, Zhi-Hong

2017-02-01

A novel agarose hydrogel biomimetic mineralization system loaded with calcium and phosphate was used to remineralize dentin and induce the oriented densely parallel packed HA layer on defective dentin surface in vivo in a rabbit model. Firstly, the enamel of the labial surface of rabbits’ incisor was removed and the dentin was exposed to oral environment. Secondly, the hydrogel biomimetic mineralization system was applied to the exposed dentin surface by using a custom tray. Finally, the teeth were extracted and evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and nanoindentation test after a certain time of mineralization intervals. The regenerated tissue on the dentin surface was composed of highly organised HA crystals. Densely packed along the c axis, these newly precipitated HA crystals were perpendicular to the underlying dental surface with a tight bond. The demineralized dentin was remineralized and dentinal tubules were occluded by the grown HA crystals. The nanohardness and elastic modulus of the regenerated tissue were similar to natural dentin. The results indicated a potential clinical use for repairing dentin-exposed related diseases, such as erosion, wear, and dentin hypersensitivity.

Benthic iron and phosphorus release from river dominated shelf sediments under varying bottom water O2 concentrations.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghaisas, N. A.; Maiti, K.; White, J. R.

2017-12-01

Phosphorus (P) cycling in coastal ocean is predominantly controlled by river discharge and biogeochemistry of the sediments. In coastal Louisiana, sediment biogeochemistry is strongly influenced by seasonally fluctuating bottom water O2, which, in turn transitions the shelf sediments from being a sink to source of P. Sediment P-fluxes were 9.73 ± 0.76 mg / m2 /d and 0.67±0.16 mg/m2/d under anaerobic and aerobic conditions respectively, indicating a 14 times higher P-efflux from oxygen deprived sediments. A high sedimentary oxygen consumption rate of 889 ± 33.6 mg/m2/d was due to organic matter re-mineralization and resulted in progressively decreasing the water column dissolved O2 , coincident with a P-flux of 7.2 ± 5.5 mg/m2/d from the sediment. Corresponding water column flux of Fe total was 19.7 ± 7.80 mg/m2/d and the sediment-TP decreased from 545 mg/Kg to 513 mg/Kg. A simultaneous increase in pore water Fe and P concentrations in tandem with a 34.6% loss in sedimentary Fe-bound P underscores the importance of O2 on coupled Fe- P biogeochemistry. This study suggests that from a 14,025 sq. km hypoxia area, Louisiana shelf sediments can supply 1.33x105 kg P/day into the water column compared to 0.094 x 105 kg P/day during the fully aerobic water column conditions.

Enhanced submarine ground water discharge form mixing of pore water and estuarine water

USGS Publications Warehouse

Martin, Jonathan B.; Cable, Jaye E.; Swarzenski, Peter W.; Lindenberg, Mary K.

2004-01-01

Submarine ground water discharge is suggested to be an important pathway for contaminants from continents to coastal zones, but its significance depends on the volume of water and concentrations of contaminants that originate in continental aquifers. Ground water discharge to the Banana River Lagoon, Florida, was estimated by analyzing the temporal and spatial variations of Cl− concentration profiles in the upper 230 cm of pore waters and was measured directly by seepage meters. Total submarine ground water discharge consists of slow discharge at depths > ∼70 cm below seafloor (cmbsf) of largely marine water combined with rapid discharge of mixed pore water and estuarine water above ∼70 cmbsf. Cl− profiles indicate average linear velocities of ∼0.014 cm/d at depths > ∼70 cmbsf. In contrast, seepage meters indicate water discharges across the sediment-water interface at rates between 3.6 and 6.9 cm/d. The discrepancy appears to be caused by mixing in the shallow sediment, which may result from a combination of bioirrigation, wave and tidal pumping, and convection. Wave and tidal pumping and convection would be minor because the tidal range is small, the short fetch of the lagoon limits wave heights, and large density contacts are lacking between lagoon and pore water. Mixing occurs to ∼70 cmbsf, which represents depths greater than previously reported. Mixing of oxygenated water to these depths could be important for remineralization of organic matter.

The Distribution of Dissolved Iron in the West Atlantic Ocean

PubMed Central

Rijkenberg, Micha J. A.; Middag, Rob; Laan, Patrick; Gerringa, Loes J. A.; van Aken, Hendrik M.; Schoemann, Véronique; de Jong, Jeroen T. M.; de Baar, Hein J. W.

2014-01-01

Iron (Fe) is an essential trace element for marine life. Extremely low Fe concentrations limit primary production and nitrogen fixation in large parts of the oceans and consequently influence ocean ecosystem functioning. The importance of Fe for ocean ecosystems makes Fe one of the core chemical trace elements in the international GEOTRACES program. Despite the recognized importance of Fe, our present knowledge of its supply and biogeochemical cycle has been limited by mostly fragmentary datasets. Here, we present highly accurate dissolved Fe (DFe) values measured at an unprecedented high intensity (1407 samples) along the longest full ocean depth transect (17500 kilometers) covering the entire western Atlantic Ocean. DFe measurements along this transect unveiled details about the supply and cycling of Fe. External sources of Fe identified included off-shelf and river supply, hydrothermal vents and aeolian dust. Nevertheless, vertical processes such as the recycling of Fe resulting from the remineralization of sinking organic matter and the removal of Fe by scavenging still dominated the distribution of DFe. In the northern West Atlantic Ocean, Fe recycling and lateral transport from the eastern tropical North Atlantic Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ) dominated the DFe-distribution. Finally, our measurements showed that the North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW), the major driver of the so-called ocean conveyor belt, contains excess DFe relative to phosphate after full biological utilization and is therefore an important source of Fe for biological production in the global ocean. PMID:24978190

Molecular Insights into Plant-Microbial Processes and Carbon Storage in Mangrove Ecosystems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romero, I. C.; Ziegler, S. E.; Fogel, M.; Jacobson, M.; Fuhrman, J. A.; Capone, D. G.

2009-12-01

Mangrove forests, in tropical and subtropical coastal zones, are among the most productive ecosystems, representing a significant global carbon sink. We report new molecular insights into the functional relationship among microorganisms, mangrove trees and sediment geochemistry. The interactions among these elements were studied in peat-based mangrove sediments (Twin Cays, Belize) subjected to a long-term fertilization experiment with N and P, providing an analog for eutrophication. The composition and δ13C of bacterial PLFA showed that bacteria and mangrove trees had similar nutrient limitation patterns (N in the fringe mangrove zone, P in the interior zone), and that fertilization with N or P can affect bacterial metabolic processes and bacterial carbon uptake (from diverse mangrove sources including leaf litter, live and dead roots). PCR amplified nifH genes showed a high diversity (26% nifH novel clones) and a remarkable spatial and temporal variability in N-fixing microbial populations in the rhizosphere, varying primarily with the abundance of dead roots, PO4-3 and H2S concentrations in natural and fertilized environments. Our results indicate that eutrophication of mangrove ecosystems has the potential to alter microbial organic matter remineralization and carbon release with important implications for the coastal carbon budget. In addition, we will present preliminary data from a new study exploring the modern calibration of carbon and hydrogen isotopes of plant leaf waxes as a proxy recorder of past environmental change in mangrove ecosystems.

Dynamic Biological Functioning Important for Simulating and Stabilizing Ocean Biogeochemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buchanan, P. J.; Matear, R. J.; Chase, Z.; Phipps, S. J.; Bindoff, N. L.

2018-04-01

The biogeochemistry of the ocean exerts a strong influence on the climate by modulating atmospheric greenhouse gases. In turn, ocean biogeochemistry depends on numerous physical and biological processes that change over space and time. Accurately simulating these processes is fundamental for accurately simulating the ocean's role within the climate. However, our simulation of these processes is often simplistic, despite a growing understanding of underlying biological dynamics. Here we explore how new parameterizations of biological processes affect simulated biogeochemical properties in a global ocean model. We combine 6 different physical realizations with 6 different biogeochemical parameterizations (36 unique ocean states). The biogeochemical parameterizations, all previously published, aim to more accurately represent the response of ocean biology to changing physical conditions. We make three major findings. First, oxygen, carbon, alkalinity, and phosphate fields are more sensitive to changes in the ocean's physical state. Only nitrate is more sensitive to changes in biological processes, and we suggest that assessment protocols for ocean biogeochemical models formally include the marine nitrogen cycle to assess their performance. Second, we show that dynamic variations in the production, remineralization, and stoichiometry of organic matter in response to changing environmental conditions benefit the simulation of ocean biogeochemistry. Third, dynamic biological functioning reduces the sensitivity of biogeochemical properties to physical change. Carbon and nitrogen inventories were 50% and 20% less sensitive to physical changes, respectively, in simulations that incorporated dynamic biological functioning. These results highlight the importance of a dynamic biology for ocean properties and climate.

Ammonia and nitrite oxidation in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Xuefeng; Fuchsman, Clara A.; Jayakumar, Amal; Oleynik, Sergey; Martens-Habbena, Willm; Devol, Allan H.; Ward, Bess B.

2015-12-01

Nitrification plays a key role in the marine nitrogen (N) cycle, including in oceanic oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), which are hot spots for denitrification and anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox). Recent evidence suggests that nitrification links the source (remineralized organic matter) and sink (denitrification and anammox) of fixed N directly in the steep oxycline in the OMZs. We performed shipboard incubations with 15N tracers to characterize the depth distribution of nitrification in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific (ETNP). Additional experiments were conducted to investigate photoinhibition. Allylthiourea (ATU) was used to distinguish the contribution of archaeal and bacterial ammonia oxidation. The abundance of archaeal and β-proteobacterial ammonia monooxygenase gene subunit A (amoA) was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The rates of ammonia and nitrite oxidation showed distinct subsurface maxima, with the latter slightly deeper than the former. The ammonia oxidation maximum coincided with the primary nitrite concentration maximum, archaeal amoA gene maximum, and the subsurface nitrous oxide maximum. Negligible rates of ammonia oxidation were found at anoxic depths, where high rates of nitrite oxidation were measured. Archaeal amoA gene abundance was generally 1 to 2 orders of magnitude higher than bacterial amoA gene abundance, and inhibition of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria with 10 μM ATU did not affect ammonia oxidation rates, indicating the dominance of archaea in ammonia oxidation. These results depict highly dynamic activities of ammonia and nitrite oxidation in the oxycline of the ETNP OMZ.

Clinical evaluation of remineralization potential of casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate nanocomplexes for enamel decalcification in orthodontics.

PubMed

Wang, Jun-xiang; Yan, Yan; Wang, Xiu-jing

2012-11-01

Enamel decalcification in orthodontics is a concern for dentists and methods to remineralize these lesions are the focus of intense research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the remineralizing effect of casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) nanocomplexes on enamel decalcification in orthodontics. Twenty orthodontic patients with decalcified enamel lesions during fixed orthodontic therapy were recruited to this study as test group and twenty orthodontic patients with the similar condition as control group. GC Tooth Mousse, the main component of which is CPP-ACP, was used by each patient of test group every night after tooth-brushing for six months. For control group, each patient was asked to brush teeth with toothpaste containing 1100 parts per million (ppm) of fluoride twice a day. Standardized intraoral images were taken for all patients and the extent of enamel decalcification was evaluated before and after treatment over this study period. Measurements were statistically compared by t test. After using CPP-ACP for six months, the enamel decalcification index (EDI) of all patients had decreased; the mean EDI before using CPP-ACP was 0.191 ± 0.025 and that after using CPP-ACP was 0.183 ± 0.023, the difference was significant (t = 5.169, P < 0.01). For control group, the mean EDI before treatment was 0.188 ± 0.037 and that after treatment was 0.187 ± 0.046, the difference was not significant (t = 1.711, P > 0.05). CPP-ACP can effectively improve the demineralized enamel lesions during orthodontic treatment, so it has some remineralization potential for enamel decalcification in orthodontics.

Ion release and in vitro enamel fluoride uptake associated with pit and fissure sealants containing microencapsulated remineralizing agents.

PubMed

Burbank, Brant D; Cooper, Ryan L; Kava, Alyssa; Hartjes, Jennifer M; McHale, William A; Latta, Mark A; Gross, Stephen M

2017-04-01

To determine if pit-and-fissure sealants with microencapsulated remineralizing agents with sustained release of fluoride, calcium and phosphate ions could promote enamel fluoride uptake by demineralized tooth structure. Sealants that contained 5 w/w% microcapsules with aqueous solutions of 5M Ca(NO3)2 or 0.8M NaF or 6.0M K2HPO4 or a mixture of all three were prepared. Ion release profiles were measured as a function of time. Enamel fluoride uptake by demineralized tooth structure was determined. Sustained release of fluoride, calcium and phosphate ions from a sealant was demonstrated. Fluoride uptake by demineralized enamel was significantly increased compared to a control sealant manufactured without microcapsules (P< 0.01). Bovine enamel that contained 2.2±2.1 µg F/g of enamel prior to exposure to a sealant without microcapsules had 2.3±0.5 after 90 days. Enamel exposed to sealant with 5w/% NaF microcapsules went from 3.5±3.5 µg F/g of enamel prior to exposure to 148±76 after 90 days. Enamel exposed to sealant with 2 w/w% NaF, 2 w/w% Ca(NO3)2 and 1 w/w% K2HPO4 microcapsules went from 1.7±0.7 µg F/g of enamel prior to exposure to 190±137 after 90 days. Sealants with encapsulated remineralizing agents were capable of releasing biologically available fluoride, calcium, and phosphate ions. Incorporation of these microcapsules in pit and fissure sealants is a promising method for remineralization determined by enamel fluoride uptake measurements.

Effect of toothpaste with nano-sized trimetaphosphate on dental caries: In situ study.

PubMed

Danelon, Marcelle; Pessan, Juliano Pelim; Neto, Francisco Nunes Souza; de Camargo, Emerson Rodrigues; Delbem, Alberto Carlos Botazzo

2015-07-01

This in situ study was to evaluate the remineralizing effect of a fluoride toothpaste supplemented with nano-sized sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP). This blind and cross-over study was performed in 4 phases of 3 days each. Twelve subjects used palatal appliances containing four bovine enamel blocks with artificial caries lesions. Volunteers were randomly assigned into the following treatment groups: Placebo (without F and TMP); 1100 ppm F (1100), 1100 supplemented with 3% micrometric TMP (1100 TMP) and with nano-sized TMP (1100 TMPnano). Volunteers were instructed to brush their natural teeth with the palatal appliances in the mouth during 1min (3 times/day), so that blocks were treated with natural slurries of toothpastes. After each phase, the percentage of surface hardness recovery (%SHR), integrated mineral recovery (IMR) and integrated differential mineral area profile (ΔIMR) in enamel lesions were calculated. F in enamel was also determined. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls test. Enamel surface became 20% harder when treated with 1100 TMPnano in comparison with 1100 (p<0.001). 1100 TMPnano showed remineralizing capacity (IMR; ΔIMR) 66% higher when compared with 1100 TMP (p<0.001). Enamel F uptake in the 1100 TMPnano group was 2-fold higher when compared to its counterpart without TMP (p<0.001). The addition of 3% TMPnano to a conventional toothpaste was able to promote an additional remineralizing effect of artificial caries lesions. Toothpaste containing 1100 ppm F associated with TMPnano showed a potential of higher remineralization to 1100 ppm F and 1100 ppm F micrometric TMP. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparative evaluation of two different remineralizing agents on the microhardness of bleached enamel surface: Results of an in vitro study.

PubMed

Kaur, Gunpriya; Sanap, Anita U; Aggarwal, Shalini D; Kumar, Tanaya

2015-01-01

Various agents are studied for their remineralization potential. To evaluate the effect of GC Tooth Mousse and Toothmin Tooth Cream on microhardness of bleached enamel. In vitro- study. Twenty freshly extracted anterior teeth were cut sagittally and impregnated in cold cure acrylic resin. Specimens were kept in artificial saliva to prevent from dehydration. After measuring baseline hardness, teeth were randomly divided into two groups. Everbrite In - Office Tooth whitening kit (Dentamerica) was used to demineralize the teeth following which hardness was measured again. Teeth in group one (n=10) and group two (n=10) were treated with GC tooth mousse (Recaldent) and Toothmin tooth cream (Abbott Healthcare Pvt.Ltd) daily for seven days and microhardness of enamel surface was measured. Mean, SD, and percentage change in the microhardness were calculated. Student's paired t-test was used to evaluate the signifi cance of change from initial, after bleaching for 5 min and after 1-week remineralization Unpaired't' test was used to compare difference between groups. Microhardness significantly decreased in both groups after bleaching (% change group one: 3.24% group two: 3.26% in group; P<0.01 in both groups). Both products significantly increased mineralization after seven days of treatment (P<0.01). Remineralization was numerically better in Toothmin group (Abbott Healthcare Pvt.Ltd ) compared to GC Mousse(Recaldent) (% change 3.27% vs 6.34%). However, difference was not significant (P >0.05). Both GC Tooth Mousse (Recaldent) and Toothmin Tooth cream (Abbott Healthcare Pvt.Ltd) increase the microhardness of bleached enamel. Toothmin tooth cream is a better agent for increasing microhardness, although difference is not significant.

Evaluation of antibacterial and remineralizing nanocomposite and adhesive in rat tooth cavity model

PubMed Central

Li, Fang; Wang, Ping; Weir, Michael D.; Fouad, Ashraf F.; Xu, Hockin H. K.

2014-01-01

Antibacterial and remineralizing dental composites and adhesives were recently developed to inhibit biofilm acids and combat secondary caries. It is not clear what effect these materials will have on dental pulps in vivo. The objectives of this study were to investigate the antibacterial and remineralizing restorations in a rat tooth cavity model, and determine pulpal inflammatory response and tertiary dentin formation. Nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP) and antibacterial dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate (DMADDM) were synthesized and incorporated into a composite and an adhesive. Occlusal cavities were prepared in the first molars of rats and restored with four types of restoration: Control composite and adhesive; control plus DMADDM; control plus NACP; and control plus both DMADDM and NACP. At 8 or 30 days (d), rat molars were harvested for histological analysis. For inflammatory cell response, regardless of time periods, NACP group and DMADDM+NACP group showed lower scores (better biocompatibility) than control group (p = 0.014 for 8 d, p = 0.018 for 30 d). For tissue disorganization, NACP and DMADDM+NACP had better scores than control (p = 0.027) at 30 d. At 8 d, restorations containing NACP had tertiary dentin thickness (TDT) that was 5-6 fold that of control. At 30 d, restorations containing NACP had TDT that was 4-6 fold that of control. In conclusion, novel antibacterial and remineralizing restorations were tested in rat teeth in vivo for the first time. Composite and adhesive containing NACP and DMADDM exhibited milder pulpal inflammation and much greater tertiary dentin formation, than control adhesive and composite. Therefore, the novel composite and adhesive containing NACP and DMADDM are promising as a new therapeutic restorative system to not only combat oral pathogens and biofilm acids as shown previously, but also facilitate the healing of the dentin-pulp complex. PMID:24583320

Surface remineralization potential of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate on enamel eroded by cola-drinks: An in-situ model study.

PubMed

Grewal, Navneet; Kudupudi, Vinod; Grewal, Sukrit

2013-07-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the remineralization potential of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) on enamel eroded by cola drinks. A total of 30 healthy subjects were selected from a random sample of 1200 children and divided into two groups of 15 each wherein calcium and phosphorus analyses and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was carried out to investigate the remineralization of enamel surface. A total of 30 non-carious premolar teeth were selected from the human tooth bank (HTB) to prepare the in-situ appliance. Three enamel slabs were prepared from the same. One enamel slab was used to obtain baseline values and the other two were embedded into the upper palatal appliances prepared on the subjects' maxillary working model. The subjects wore the appliance after which 30 ml cola drink exposure was given. After 15 days, the slabs were removed and subjected to respective analysis. Means of all the readings of soluble calcium and phosphorous levels at baseline,post cola-drink exposure and post cpp-acp application were subjected to statistical analysis SPSS11.5 version. Comparison within groups and between groups was carried out using ANOVA and F-values at 1% level of significance. Decrease in calcium solubility of enamel in the CPP-ACP application group as compared to post-cola drink exposure group (P < 0.05) was seen. Distinctive change in surface topography of enamel in the post-CPP-ACP application group as compared to post-cola drink exposure group was observed. CPP-ACP significantly promoted remineralization of enamel eroded by cola drinks as revealed by significant morphological changes seen in SEM magnification and spectrophotometric analyses.

Effects of fluoridated milk on root dentin remineralization.

PubMed

Arnold, Wolfgang H; Heidt, Bastian A; Kuntz, Sebastian; Naumova, Ella A

2014-01-01

The prevalence of root caries is increasing with greater life expectancy and number of retained teeth. Therefore, new preventive strategies should be developed to reduce the prevalence of root caries. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fluoridated milk on the remineralization of root dentin and to compare these effects to those of sodium fluoride (NaF) application without milk. Thirty extracted human molars were divided into 6 groups, and the root cementum was removed from each tooth. The dentin surface was demineralized and then incubated with one of the following six solutions: Sodium chloride NaCl, artificial saliva, milk, milk+2.5 ppm fluoride, milk+10 ppm fluoride and artificial saliva+10 ppm fluoride. Serial sections were cut through the lesions and investigated with polarized light microscopy and quantitative morphometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The data were statistically evaluated using a one-way ANOVA for multiple comparisons. The depth of the lesion decreased with increasing fluoride concentration and was the smallest after incubation with artificial saliva+10 ppm fluoride. SEM analysis revealed a clearly demarcated superficial remineralized zone after incubation with milk+2.5 ppm fluoride, milk+10 ppm fluoride and artificial saliva+10 ppm fluoride. Ca content in this zone increased with increasing fluoride content and was highest after artificial saliva+10 ppm fluoride incubation. In the artificial saliva+10 ppm fluoride group, an additional crystalline layer was present on top of the lesion that contained elevated levels of F and Ca. Incubation of root dentin with fluoridated milk showed a clear effect on root dentin remineralization, and incubation with NaF dissolved in artificial saliva demonstrated a stronger effect.

[Preventive and remineralization effect over incipient lesions of caries decay by phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate].

PubMed

Juárez-López, María Lilia Adriana; Hernández-Palacios, Rosa Diana; Hernández-Guerrero, Juan Carlos; Jiménez-Farfán, Dolores; Molina-Frechero, Nelly

2014-01-01

INTRODUCTION. Dental caries continues to affect a large percentage of Mexican children and currently advises that if diagnosed at an early stage can be reversed with minimally invasive treatments. The casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate known as CPP-ACP is a phosphoprotein capable of releasing calcium and phosphate ions in the oral environment promoting remineralization. OBJECTIVE. To evaluate the effect of CPP-ACP with fluoride added in a scholar preventive program. MATERIAL AND METHODS. A cuasi- experimental study was conducted in 104 schools of six years old. The children were classified into three groups and received six months biweekly applications of different treatments: casein phosphopeptide amorphous calcium phosphate added fluoride (CPP-ACPF), sodium fluoride (NaF) and a control group. Clinical evaluation was performed with the laser fluorescence technique (Diagnodent model 2095). 1340 teeth were included: 294 teeth with incipient lesions and 1,046 healthy teeth. Statistical tests of χ2 y Mc Nemar were used. RESULTS. In the group that received the application of CPP-ACPF, 38% of incipient carious lesions were remineralizing compared with 21% in the group receiving the NaF (p < 0.001) and 15% in the control group (p < 0.0001) The percentage of teeth free of caries were preserved in the therapy group phosphoprotein was the biggest. This group also showed the lower proportion of deep carious lesion development (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION. The application biweekly for six months of CPP-ACPF showed a protective and remineralizing effect on incipient carious lesions. His action was better than the application of NaF. However, to reduce the impact from dental caries in schoolchildren is important to have a comprehensive preventive approach that includes promoting self-care, as well as the application of sealants.

Influence of de/remineralization of enamel on the tensile bond strength of etch-and-rinse and self-etching adhesives.

PubMed

Farias de Lacerda, Ana Julia; Ferreira Zanatta, Rayssa; Crispim, Bruna; Borges, Alessandra Bühler; Gomes Torres, Carlos Rocha; Tay, Franklin R; Pucci, Cesar Rogério

2016-10-01

To evaluate the bonding behavior of resin composite and different adhesives applied to demineralized or remineralized enamel. Bovine tooth crowns were polished to prepare a 5 mm2 enamel bonding area, and divided into five groups (n= 48) according to the surface treatment: CONT (sound enamel control), DEM (demineralized with acid to create white spot lesions), REMS (DEM remineralized with artificial saliva), REMF (DEM remineralized with sodium fluoride) and INF (DEM infiltrated with Icon resin infiltrant). The surface-treated teeth were divided into two subgroups (n= 24) according to adhesive type: ER (etch-and-rinse; Single Bond Universal) and SE (self-etching; Clearfill S3 Bond), and further subdivided into two categories (n= 12) according to aging process: Thermo (thermocycling) and NA (no aging). Composite blocks were made over bonded enamel and sectioned for microtensile bond strength (MTBS) testing. Data were analyzed with three-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey's test (α= 0.05). Significant differences were observed for enamel surface treatment (P< 0.0001), adhesive type (P< 0.0001) and aging (P< 0.0001). CONT and INF groups had higher MTBS than the other groups; Single Bond Universal had higher MTBS than Clearfil S3 Bond; thermo-aging resulted in lower MTBS irrespective of adhesive type and surface treatment condition. The predominant failure mode was mixed for all groups. Enamel surface infiltrated with Icon does not interfere with adhesive resin bonding procedures. Treatment of enamel surface containing white spot lesions or cavities with cavosurface margins in partially-demineralized enamel can benefit from infiltration with a low viscosity resin infiltrant prior to adhesive bonding of resin composites.

Ion release, fluoride charge of and adhesion of an orthodontic cement paste containing microcapsules.

PubMed

Burbank, Brant D; Slater, Michael; Kava, Alyssa; Doyle, James; McHale, William A; Latta, Mark A; Gross, Stephen M

2016-02-01

Dental materials capable of releasing calcium, phosphate and fluoride are of great interest for remineralization. Microencapsulated aqueous solutions of these ions in orthodontic cement demonstrate slow, sustained release by passive diffusion through a permeable membrane without the need for dissolution or etching of fillers. The potential to charge a dental material formulated with microencapsulated water with fluoride by toothbrushing with over the counter toothpaste and the effect of microcapsules on cement adhesion to enamel was determined. Orthodontic cements that contained microcapsules with water and controls without microcapsules were brushed with over-the-counter toothpaste and fluoride release was measured. Adhesion measurements were performed loading orthodontic brackets to failure. Cements that contained microencapsulated solutions of 5.0M Ca(NO3)2, 0.8M NaF, 6.0MK2HPO4 or a mixture of all three were prepared. Ion release profiles were measured as a function of time. A greater fluoride charge and re-release from toothbrushing was demonstrated compared to a control with no microcapsules. Adhesion of an orthodontic cement that contained microencapsulated remineralizing agents was 8.5±2.5MPa compared to the control without microcapsules which was of 8.3±1.7MPa. Sustained release of fluoride, calcium and phosphate ions from cement formulated with microencapsulated remineralizing agents was demonstrated. Orthodontic cements with microcapsules show a release of bioavailable fluoride, calcium, and phosphate ions near the tooth surface while having the ability to charge with fluoride and not effect the adhesion of the material to enamel. Incorporation of microcapsules in dental materials is promising for promoting remineralization. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Frequency of Fluoride Dentifrice Use and Caries Lesions Inhibition and Repair.

PubMed

Nóbrega, Diego Figueiredo; Fernández, Constanza Estefany; Del Bel Cury, Altair Antoninha; Tenuta, Livia Maria Andaló; Cury, Jaime Aparecido

2016-01-01

The clinical relevance of the frequency of fluoride dentifrice (FD) use on enamel caries is based on evidence. However, the relative effect of FD on reduction of demineralization or enhancement of remineralization is unknown and the effect of frequency on root dentine caries has not been explored. The aim of this double-blind, crossover, in situ study, which was conducted in 4 phases of 14 days each, was to evaluate the relationship between the frequency of FD use and enamel and root dentine de- and remineralization. Eighteen volunteers wore palatal appliances containing enamel and root dentine slabs, either sound or carious. Biofilm accumulation on the slab surface was allowed, and 20% sucrose solution was dripped 3 or 8 times per day on the carious and sound slabs, respectively. Volunteers used FD (1,100 μg F/g) in the frequencies 0 (fluoride-placebo dentifrice), 1, 2 and 3 times per day. The demineralization and remineralization that occurred in sound or carious slabs was estimated by the percentage of surface hardness loss (%SHL) or recovery (%SHR). Loosely (CaF2) and firmly (FAp) bound fluoride concentrations were also determined. The relationship between the variables was analyzed by linear regression. The %SHL, CaF2 and FAp concentrations were a function of the frequency of FD use for enamel and dentine, but the %SHR was a function of the frequency of FD use only for enamel (p < 0.05). The results suggest that demineralization in enamel and root dentine is reduced in proportion to the frequency of FD use, but for remineralization the effect of the frequency of FD use was relevant only to enamel. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Nanotechnology-based restorative materials for dental caries management

PubMed Central

Melo, Mary A.S.; Guedes, Sarah F.F.; Xu, Hockin H.K.; Rodrigues, Lidiany K.A.

2013-01-01

Nanotechnology has been applied to dental materials as an innovative concept for the development of materials with better properties and anticaries potential. In this review we discuss the current progress and future applications of functional nanoparticles incorporated in dental restorative materials as useful strategies to dental caries management. We also overview proposed antimicrobial and remineralizing mechanisms. Nanomaterials have great potential to decrease biofilm accumulation, inhibit the demineralization process, to be used for remineralizing tooth structure, and to combat caries-related bacteria. These results are encouraging and open the doors to future clinical studies that will allow the therapeutic value of nanotechnology-based restorative materials to be established. PMID:23810638

Clinical Evaluation of Ozone on Dentinal Lesions in Young Permanent Molars using the Stepwise Excavation.

PubMed

Safwat, Osama; Elkateb, Mona; Dowidar, Karin; El Meligy, Omar

To evaluate the clinical changes in dentin of deep carious lesions in young permanent molars, following ozone application with and without the use of a remineralizing solution, using the stepwise excavation. The sample included 162 first permanent immature molars, showing deep occlusal carious cavities that were indicated for indirect pulp capping. Teeth were divided into 2 main groups according to the method of ozone treatment. Each group was further subdivided equally into test and control subgroups. Following caries excavation, color, consistency and DIAGNOdent assessments of dentin were evaluated after 6 and 12 months. Regarding dentin color and consistency, no significant differences were observed following ozone application, with and without a remineralizing solution. There were no significant differences between ozone treatment, and calcium hydroxide during the different evaluation periods, except in group I cases after 6 months, concerning the dentin color. The DIAGNOdent values were significantly reduced following ozone application, with or without a remineralizing solution, as well as between test and control cases in group I after 6 months. Ozone application through the stepwise excavation had no significant effect on dentin color and consistency in young permanent molars. DIAGNOdent was unreliable in monitoring caries activity.

A Study for Tooth Bleaching via Carbamide Peroxide-Loaded Hollow Calcium Phosphate Spheres.

PubMed

Qin, Tao; Mellgren, Torbjörn; Jefferies, Steven; Xia, Wei; Engqvist, Håkan

2016-12-26

The objective of this study was to investigate if a prolonged bleaching effect of carbamide peroxide-loaded hollow calcium phosphate spheres (HCPS) can be achieved. HCPS was synthesized via a hydrothermal reaction method. Carbamide peroxide (CP) was-loaded into HCPS by mixing with distilled water as solvent. We developed two bleaching gels containing CP-loaded HCPS: one gel with low HP concentration as at-home bleaching gel, and one with high HP concentration as in-office gel. Their bleaching effects on stained human permanent posterior teeth were investigated by measuring the color difference before and after bleaching. The effect of gels on rhodamine B degradation was also studied. To investigate the potential effect of remineralization of using HCPS, bleached teeth were soaked in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) containing calcium and magnesium ions. Both bleaching gels had a prolonged whitening effect, and showed a strong ability to degrade rhodamine B. After soaking in PBS for 3 days, remineralization was observed at the sites where HCPS attached to the teeth surface. CP-loaded HCPS could prolong the HP release behavior and improve the bleaching effect. HCPS was effective in increasing the whitening effect of carbamide peroxide and improving remineralization after bleaching process.

Effects of amorphous calcium phosphate stabilized by casein phosphopeptides on enamel de- and remineralization in primary teeth: an in vitro study.

PubMed

Bar-Hillel, Rita; Feuerstein, Osnat; Tickotsky, Nili; Shapira, Joseph; Moskovitz, Moti

2012-01-01

Amorphous calcium phosphate, stabilized by casein phosphopeptides, has been found to enhance remineralization of subsurface lesions in permanent teeth. The purpose of the present in vitro study was to evaluate the potential of GC Tooth Mousse to enhance remineralization of initial demineralized enamel sites in primary teeth. Forty-four demineralization sites were created in 22 extracted primary teeth. Samples were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups (GC Tooth Mousse covering, GC Tooth Mousse covering and demineralization, and control groups). The mineral content of each sample was evaluated using energy dispersive X-ray analysis, performed from the enamel surface of each lesion inwards. The results were analyzed using analysis of variance, with a significance level P<.05. Samples treated with GC Tooth Mousse demonstrated an increase in the calcium-phosphate ratio by approximately 2% near the surface, a minimal increase of 1% at a depth over 60 μm, and no change at a depth from 40 to 60 μm, with no statistically significant differences (P>.05). This study demonstrates a minimal increase in the subsurface calcium-phosphate ratio following GC Tooth Mousse treatment, especially in demineralized enamel tissue.

Abalone water-soluble matrix for self-healing biomineralization of tooth defects.

PubMed

Wen, Zhenliang; Chen, Jingdi; Wang, Hailiang; Zhong, Shengnan; Hu, Yimin; Wang, Zhili; Zhang, Qiqing

2016-10-01

Enamel cannot heal by itself if damaged. Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is main component of human enamel. Formation of enamel-like materials for healing enamel defects remains a challenge. In this paper, we successfully isolated the abalone water-soluble matrix (AWSM) with 1.53wt% the abalone water-soluble protein (AWSPro) and 2.04wt% the abalone water-soluble polysaccharide (AWSPs) from abandoned abalone shell, and self-healing biomineralization of tooth defects was successfully achieved in vitro. Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), hot field emission scanning electron microscopy (HFESEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) analysis, the results showed that the AWSM can efficiently induce remineralization of HAP. The enamel-like HAP was successfully achieved onto etched enamel's surface due to the presence of the AWSM. Moreover, the remineralized effect of eroded enamel was growing with the increase of the AWSM. This study provides a solution to the resource waste and environmental pollution caused by abandoned abalone shell, and we provides a new method for self-healing remineralization of enamel defects by AWSM and develops a novel dental material for potential clinical dentistry application. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Near-surface structural examination of human tooth enamel subject to in vitro demineralization and remineralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaines, Carmen Veronica

The early stages of chemical tooth decay are governed by dynamic processes of demineralization and remineralization of dental enamel that initiates along the surface of the tooth. Conventional diagnostic techniques lack the spatial resolution required to analyze near-surface structural changes in enamel at the submicron level. In this study, slabs of highly-polished, decay-free human enamel were subjected to 0.12M EDTA and buffered lactic acid demineralizing agents and MI Paste(TM) and calcifying (0.1 ppm F) remineralizing treatments in vitro. Grazing incidence x-ray diffraction (GIXD), a technique typically used for thin film analysis, provided depth profiles of crystallinity changes in surface enamel with a resolution better than 100 nm. In conjunction with nanoindentation, a technique gaining acceptance as a means of examining the mechanical properties of sound enamel, these results were corroborated with well-established microscopy and Raman techniques to assess the nanohardness, morphologies and chemical nature of treated enamel. Interestingly, the average crystallite size of surface enamel along its c-axis dimension increased by nearly 40% after a 60 min EDTA treatment as detected by GIXD. This result was in direct contrast to the obvious surface degradation observed by microscopic and confocal Raman imaging. A decrease in nanohardness from 4.86 +/- 0.44 GPa to 0.28 +/- 0.10 GPa was observed. Collective results suggest that mineral dissolution characteristics evident on the micron scale may not be fully translated to the nanoscale in assessing the integrity of chemically-modified tooth enamel. While an intuitive decrease in enamel crystallinity was observed with buffered lactic acid-treated samples, demineralization was too slow to adequately quantify the enamel property changes seen. MI Paste(TM) treatment of EDTA-demineralized enamel showed preferential growth along the a-axis direction. Calcifying solution treatments of both demineralized sample types appeared to have negligible effects on enamel crystallinity. Both remineralizing agents provided an increase in resiliency within the enamel surface layers. Findings from this study may prove useful in identifying more effective methods to prevent enamel demineralization and to promote and/or enhance remineralization for the treatment of tooth decay. Careful consideration of the nanoscale properties of treated surface enamel may lead to an understanding of how to truly regenerate decomposed enamel mineral from the inside out.

Source/process apportionment of major and trace elements in sinking particles in the Sargasso sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, S.; Conte, M. H.

2009-01-01

Elemental composition of the particle flux at the Oceanic Flux Program (OFP) time-series site off Bermuda was measured from January 2002 to March 2005. Eighteen elements (Mg, Al, Si, P, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd, Ba and Pb) in sediment trap material from 500, 1500 and 3200 m depths were quantified using fusion-HR-ICPMS. Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) was used to elucidate sources, elemental associations and processes that affect geochemical behavior in the water column. Results provide evidence for intense elemental cycling between the sinking flux material and the dissolved and suspended pools within mesopelagic and bathypelagic waters. Biological processing and remineralization rapidly deplete the sinking flux material in organic matter and associated elements (N, P, Cd, Zn) between 500 and 1500 m depth. Suspended particle aggregation, authigenic mineral precipitation, and chemical scavenging enriches the flux material in lithogenic minerals, barite and redox sensitive elements (Mn, Co, V, Fe). A large increase in the flux of lithogenic elements is observed with depth and confirms that the northeast Sargasso is a significant sink for advected continental materials, likely supplied via Gulf Stream circulation. PMF resolved major sources that contribute to sinking flux at all depths (carbonate, high-Mg carbonate, opal, organic matter, lithogenic material, and barite) as well as additional depth-specific elemental associations that contribute about half of the compositional variability in the flux. PMF solutions indicate close geochemical associations of barite-opal, Cd-P, Zn-Co, Zn-Pb and redox sensitive elements in the sinking flux material at 500 m depth. Major reorganizations of element associations occur as labile carrier phases break down and elements redistribute among new carrier phases deeper in the water column. Factor scores show strong covariation and similar temporal phasing among the three trap depths and indicate a tight coupling in particle flux compositional variability throughout the water column. Seasonality in flux composition is primarily driven by dilution of the lithogenic component with freshly-produced biogenic material during the late winter primary production maximum. Temporal trends in scores reveal subtle non-seasonal changes in flux composition occurring on month long timescales. This non-seasonal variability may be driven by changes in the biogeochemical properties of intermediate water masses that pass through the region and which affect rates of chemical scavenging and/or aggregation within the water column.

Late summer distribution and stoichiometry of dissolved N, Si and P in the Southern Ocean near Heard and McDonald Islands on the Kerguelen Plateau

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chase, Z.; Bowie, A. R.; Blain, S.; Holmes, T.; Rayner, M.; Sherrin, K.; Tonnard, M.; Trull, T. W.

2016-12-01

The Kerguelen plateau in the Southern Indian Ocean is a naturally iron-fertilised region surrounded by iron-limited, High Nutrient Low Chlorophyll waters. The Heard Earth Ocean Biosphere Interaction (HEOBI) project sampled waters south of the Polar Front in the vicinity of Heard and McDonald Islands (HIMI) in January and February 2016. Fe fertilised waters over the plateau generally exhibited high phytoplankton biomass and photosynthetic competency (as in previous studies and satellite observations), but interestingly, phytoplankton biomass was low near HIMI, though photosynthetic competency was high. In plateau waters away from HIMI, silicic acid (Si) concentrations were strongly depleted in surface waters, averaging 3 μM, while nitrate concentrations were close to 25 μM. Relative to the remnant winter water, this represents an average seasonal drawdown of 32 μM Si and only 8 μM nitrate. Though absolute drawdown was lower at an HNLC reference site south of Heard Island, the drawdown ratio was similarly high (ΔSi: ΔN 4-5). The average N:P drawdown ratio was 12, typical for a diatom-dominated system (Weber and Deutsch 2010). N:P drawdown was positively correlated with Si drawdown, perhaps indicative of an impact of Fe on both seasonal Si drawdown and diatom N:P uptake (Price 2005). In the well-mixed, shallow waters (< 200 m) around HIMI nutrient concentrations were elevated, with no surface nutrient depletion. Nutrient concentrations near the islands were generally consistent with input from vertical mixing of the regional nutrient profile. However, N* values (N* = N - P*16) near the islands were anomalously low (-5 to -7) relative to the regional nutrient profile (N* 3). Subsurface minima in N* (as low as -6) were observed just below the pycnocline at several plateau stations. If negative N* values here are indicative of intense remineralisation of P-rich organic matter, and possible preferential remineralisation of P (Blain et al. 2015), these observations suggest the existence of strong production and remineralisation of organic matter around Heard and McDonald Islands, despite the apparent lack of nutrient drawdown or biomass accumulation. Mixed layers deeper than the euphotic zone are one mechanism that retains these remineralization signatures and near the islands, tidal mixing also contributes.

Optimizing desalinated sea water blending with other sources to meet magnesium requirements for potable and irrigation waters.

PubMed

Avni, Noa; Eben-Chaime, Moshe; Oron, Gideon

2013-05-01

Sea water desalination provides fresh water that typically lacks minerals essential to human health and to agricultural productivity. Thus the rising proportion of desalinated sea water consumed by both the domestic and agricultural sectors constitutes a public health risk. Research on low-magnesium water irrigation showed that crops developed magnesium deficiency symptoms that could lead to plant death, and tomato yields were reduced by 10-15%. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on a relationship between sudden cardiac death rates and magnesium intake deficits. An optimization model, developed and tested to provide recommendations for Water Distribution System (WDS) quality control in terms of meeting optimal water quality requirements, was run in computational experiments based on an actual regional WDS. The expected magnesium deficit due to the operation of a large Sea Water Desalination Plant (SWDP) was simulated, and an optimal operation policy, in which remineralization at the SWDP was combined with blending desalinated and natural water to achieve the required quality, was generated. The effects of remineralization costs and WDS physical layout on the optimal policy were examined by sensitivity analysis. As part of the sensitivity blending natural and desalinated water near the treatment plants will be feasible up to 16.2 US cents/m(3), considering all expenses. Additional chemical injection was used to meet quality criteria when blending was not feasible. Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An evaluation of temporal changes in sediment accumulation and impacts on carbon burial in Mobile Bay, Alabama, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Smith, Christopher G.; Osterman, Lisa E.

2014-01-01

The estuarine environment can serve as either a source or sink of carbon relative to the coastal ocean carbon budget. A variety of time-dependent processes such as sedimentation, carbon supply, and productivity dictate how estuarine systems operate, and Mobile Bay is a system that has experienced both natural and anthropogenic perturbations that influenced depositional processes and carbon cycling. Sediments from eight box cores provide a record of change in bulk sediment accumulation and carbon burial over the past 110 years. Accumulation rates in the central part of the basin (0.09 g cm−2) were 60–80 % less than those observed at the head (0.361 g cm−2) and mouth (0.564 g cm−2) of the bay. Sediment accumulation in the central bay decreased during the past 90 years in response to both anthropogenic (causeway construction) and natural (tropical cyclones) perturbations. Sediment accumulation inevitably increased the residence time of organic carbon in the oxic zone, as observed in modeled remineralization rates, and reduced the overall carbon burial. Such observations highlight the critical balance among sediment accumulation, carbon remineralization, and carbon burial in dynamic coastal environments. Time-series analysis based solely on short-term observation would not capture the long-term effects of changes in sedimentation on carbon cycling. Identifying these relationships over longer timescales (multi-annual to decadal) will provide a far better evaluation of coastal ocean carbon budgets.

Microbial oxidation of lithospheric organic carbon in rapidly eroding tropical mountain soils

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hemingway, Jordon D.; Hilton, Robert G.; Hovius, Niels; Eglinton, Timothy I.; Haghipour, Negar; Wacker, Lukas; Chen, Meng-Chiang; Galy, Valier V.

2018-04-01

Lithospheric organic carbon (“petrogenic”; OCpetro) is oxidized during exhumation and subsequent erosion of mountain ranges. This process is a considerable source of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere over geologic time scales, but the mechanisms that govern oxidation rates in mountain landscapes are poorly constrained. We demonstrate that, on average, 67 ± 11% of the OCpetro initially present in bedrock exhumed from the tropical, rapidly eroding Central Range of Taiwan is oxidized in soils, leading to CO2 emissions of 6.1 to 18.6 metric tons of carbon per square kilometer per year. The molecular and isotopic evolution of bulk OC and lipid biomarkers during soil formation reveals that OCpetro remineralization is microbially mediated. Rapid oxidation in mountain soils drives CO2 emission fluxes that increase with erosion rate, thereby counteracting CO2 drawdown by silicate weathering and biospheric OC burial.

Organic matter diagenesis as the key to a unifying theory for the genesis of tabular uranium-vanadium deposits in the Morrison Formation, Colorado Plateau

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hansley, P.L.; Spirakis, C.S.

1992-01-01

Interstitial, epigenetic amorphous organic matter is intimately associated with uranium in the Grants uranium region and is considered essential to genetic models for these deposits. In contrast, uranium minerals are intimately associated with authigenic vanadium chlorite and vanadium oxides in amorphous organic matter-poor ores of the Slick Rock and Henry Mountains mining districts and therefore, in some genetic models amorphous organic matter is not considered crucial to the formation of these deposits. Differences in organic matter content can be explained by recognizing that amorphous organic matter-poor deposits have been subjected to more advanced stages of diagenesis than amorphous organic matter-rich deposits. Evidence that amorphous organic matter was involved in the genesis of organic matter-poor, as well as organic matter-rich, deposits is described. -from Authors

Effects of molecular weight of natural organic matter on cadmium mobility in soil environments and its carbon isotope characteristics.

PubMed

Mahara, Y; Kubota, T; Wakayama, R; Nakano-Ohta, T; Nakamura, T

2007-11-15

We investigated the role of natural organic matter in cadmium mobility in soil environments. We collected the dissolved organic matter from two different types of natural waters: pond surface water, which is oxic, and deep anoxic groundwater. The collected organic matter was fractionated into four groups with molecular weights (unit: Da (Daltons)) of <1 x 10(3), 1-10 x 10(3), 10-100 x 10(3), and >100 x 10(3). The organic matter source was land plants, based on the carbon isotope ratios (delta(13)C/(12)C). The organic matter in surface water originated from presently growing land plants, based on (14)C dating, but the organic matter in deep groundwater originated from land plants that grew approximately 4000 years ago. However, some carbon was supplied by the high-molecular-weight fraction of humic substances in soil or sediments. Cadmium interacted in a system of siliceous sand, fractionated organic matter, and water. The lowest molecular weight fraction of organic matter (<1 x 10(3)) bound more cadmium than did the higher molecular weight fractions. Organic matter in deep groundwater was more strongly bound to cadmium than was organic matter in surface water. The binding behaviours of organic matter with cadmium depended on concentration, age, molecular weight, and degradation conditions of the organic matter in natural waters. Consequently, the dissolved, low-molecular-weight fraction in organic matter strongly influences cadmium migration and mobility in the environment.

Biodegradability of algal-derived organic matter in a large artificial lake by using stable isotope tracers.

PubMed

Lee, Yeonjung; Lee, Bomi; Hur, Jin; Min, Jun-Oh; Ha, Sun-Yong; Ra, Kongtae; Kim, Kyung-Tae; Shin, Kyung-Hoon

2016-05-01

In order to understand the biodegradability of algal-derived organic matter, biodegradation experiments were conducted with (13)C and (15)N-labeled natural phytoplankton and periphytic algal populations in experimental conditions for 60 days. Qualitative changes in the dissolved organic matter were also determined using parallel factor analysis and the stable carbon isotopic composition of the hydrophobic dissolved organic matter through the experimental period. Although algal-derived organic matter is considered to be easily biodegradable, the initial amounts of total organic carbon newly produced by phytoplankton and periphytic algae remained approximately 16 and 44 % after 60 days, respectively, and about 22 and 43 % of newly produced particulate nitrogen remained. Further, the dissolved organic carbon derived from both algal populations increased significantly after 60 days. Although the dissolved organic matter gradually became refractory, the contributions of the algal-derived organic matter to the dissolved organic matter and hydrophobic dissolved organic matter increased. Our laboratory experimental results suggest that algal-derived organic matter produced by phytoplankton and periphytic algae could contribute significantly to the non-biodegradable organic matter through microbial transformations.

Biomass recycling and Earth’s early phosphorus cycle

PubMed Central

Kipp, Michael A.; Stüeken, Eva E.

2017-01-01

Phosphorus sets the pace of marine biological productivity on geological time scales. Recent estimates of Precambrian phosphorus levels suggest a severe deficit of this macronutrient, with the depletion attributed to scavenging by iron minerals. We propose that the size of the marine phosphorus reservoir was instead constrained by muted liberation of phosphorus during the remineralization of biomass. In the modern ocean, most biomass-bound phosphorus gets aerobically recycled; but a dearth of oxidizing power in Earth’s early oceans would have limited the stoichiometric capacity for remineralization, particularly during the Archean. The resulting low phosphorus concentrations would have substantially hampered primary productivity, contributing to the delayed rise of atmospheric oxygen. PMID:29202032

Changes in ocean circulation and carbon storage are decoupled from air-sea CO2 fluxes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marinov, I.; Gnanadesikan, A.

2011-02-01

The spatial distribution of the air-sea flux of carbon dioxide is a poor indicator of the underlying ocean circulation and of ocean carbon storage. The weak dependence on circulation arises because mixing-driven changes in solubility-driven and biologically-driven air-sea fluxes largely cancel out. This cancellation occurs because mixing driven increases in the poleward residual mean circulation result in more transport of both remineralized nutrients and heat from low to high latitudes. By contrast, increasing vertical mixing decreases the storage associated with both the biological and solubility pumps, as it decreases remineralized carbon storage in the deep ocean and warms the ocean as a whole.

Changes in ocean circulation and carbon storage are decoupled from air-sea CO2 fluxes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marinov, I.; Gnanadesikan, A.

2010-11-01

The spatial distribution of the air-sea flux of carbon dioxide is a poor indicator of the underlying ocean circulation and of ocean carbon storage. The weak dependence on circulation arises because mixing-driven changes in solubility-driven and biologically-driven air-sea fluxes largely cancel out. This cancellation occurs because mixing driven increases in the poleward residual mean circulation results in more transport of both remineralized nutrients and heat from low to high latitudes. By contrast, increasing vertical mixing decreases the storage associated with both the biological and solubility pumps, as it decreases remineralized carbon storage in the deep ocean and warms the ocean as a whole.

Nitrogen isotope and mass balance approach in the Elbe Estuary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanders, Tina; Wankel, Scott D.; Dähnke, Kirstin

2017-04-01

The supply of bioavailable nitrogen is crucial to primary production in the world's oceans. Especially in estuaries, which act as a nutrient filter for coastal waters, microbial nitrogen turnover and removal has a particular significance. Nitrification as well as other nitrogen-based processes changes the natural abundance of the stable isotope, which can be used as proxies for sources and sinks as well as for process identification. The eutrophic Elbe estuary in northern Germany is loaded with fertilizer-derived nitrogen, but management efforts have started to reduce this load effectively. However, an internal nitrate source in turn gained in importance and the estuary changed from a sink to a source of dissolved inorganic nitrogen: Nitrification is responsible for significant estuarine nutrient regeneration, especially in the Hamburg Port. In our study, we aimed to quantify sources and sinks of nitrogen based on a mass and stable isotope budget in the Elbe estuary. A model was developed reproduce internal N-cycling and associated isotope changes. For that approach we measured dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), particulate nitrogen and their stable isotopes in a case study in July 2013. We found an almost closed mass balance of nitrogen, with only low lost or gains which we attribute to sediment resuspension. The isotope values of different DIN components and the model approach both support a high fractionation of up to -25‰ during nitrification. However, the nitrogen balance and nitrogen stable isotopes suggest that most important processes are remineralization of organic matter to ammonium and further on the oxidation to nitrate. Denitrification and nitrate assimilation play a subordinate role in the Elbe Estuary.

Processes of multibathyal aragonite undersaturation in the Arctic Ocean

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wynn, J.G.; Robbins, L.L.; Anderson, L.G.

2016-01-01

During 3 years of study (2010–2012), the western Arctic Ocean was found to have unique aragonite saturation profiles with up to three distinct aragonite undersaturation zones. This complexity is produced as inflow of Atlantic-derived and Pacific-derived water masses mix with Arctic-derived waters, which are further modified by physiochemical and biological processes. The shallowest aragonite undersaturation zone, from the surface to ∼30 m depth is characterized by relatively low alkalinity and other dissolved ions. Besides local influence of biological processes on aragonite undersaturation of shallow coastal waters, the nature of this zone is consistent with dilution by sea-ice melt and invasion of anthropogenic CO2 from the atmosphere. A second undersaturated zone at ∼90–220 m depth (salinity ∼31.8–35.4) occurs within the Arctic Halocline and is characterized by elevated pCO2 and nutrients. The nature of this horizon is consistent with remineralization of organic matter on shallow continental shelves bordering the Canada Basin and the input of the nutrients and CO2 entrained by currents from the Pacific Inlet. Finally, the deepest aragonite undersaturation zone is at greater than 2000 m depth and is controlled by similar processes as deep aragonite saturation horizons in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The comparatively shallow depth of this deepest aragonite saturation horizon in the Arctic is maintained by relatively low temperatures, and stable chemical composition. Understanding the mechanisms controlling the distribution of these aragonite undersaturation zones, and the time scales over which they operate will be crucial to refine predictive models.

A Global Assessment of the Chemical Recalcitrance of Seagrass Tissues: Implications for Long-Term Carbon Sequestration

PubMed Central

Trevathan-Tackett, Stacey M.; Macreadie, Peter I.; Sanderman, Jonathan; Baldock, Jeff; Howes, Johanna M.; Ralph, Peter J.

2017-01-01

Seagrass ecosystems have recently been identified for their role in climate change mitigation due to their globally-significant carbon sinks; yet, the capacity of seagrasses to sequester carbon has been shown to vary greatly among seagrass ecosystems. The recalcitrant nature of seagrass tissues, or the resistance to degradation back into carbon dioxide, is one aspect thought to influence sediment carbon stocks. In this study, a global survey investigated how the macromolecular chemistry of seagrass leaves, sheaths/stems, rhizomes and roots varied across 23 species from 16 countries. The goal was to understand how this seagrass chemistry might influence the capacity of seagrasses to contribute to sediment carbon stocks. Three non-destructive analytical chemical analyses were used to investigate seagrass chemistry: thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and solid state 13C-NMR and infrared spectroscopy. A strong latitudinal influence on carbon quality was found, whereby temperate seagrasses contained 5% relatively more labile carbon, and tropical seagrasses contained 3% relatively more refractory carbon. Sheath/stem tissues significantly varied across taxa, with larger morphologies typically containing more refractory carbon than smaller morphologies. Rhizomes were characterized by a higher proportion of labile carbon (16% of total organic matter compared to 8–10% in other tissues); however, high rhizome biomass production and slower remineralization in anoxic sediments will likely enhance these below-ground tissues' contributions to long-term carbon stocks. Our study provides a standardized and global dataset on seagrass carbon quality across tissue types, taxa and geography that can be incorporated in carbon sequestration and storage models as well as ecosystem valuation and management strategies. PMID:28659936

Multi-proxy Reconstructions of Deglacial Variability of Antarctic Intermediate Water Circulation in the Western Tropical Atlantic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, K.; Oppo, D.; Curry, W. B.

2012-12-01

Reconstruction of changes in Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) circulation across the last deglaciation is critical in constraining the links between AAIW and Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and understanding how AAIW influences oceanic heat transport and carbon budget across abrupt climate events. Here we systematically establish in situ calibrations for carbonate saturation state (B/Ca), nutrient (Cd/Ca and δ13C) and watermass proxies (ɛNd) in foraminifera using multicore tops and ambient seawater samples collected from the Demerara Rise, western tropical Atlantic. Through the multi-proxy reconstructions, deglacial variability of intermediate water circulation in the western tropical Atlantic can be further constrained. The reconstructed seawater Cd record from the Demerara Rise sediment core (KNR197-3-46CDH, at 947 m water depth) over the last 21 kyrs suggests reduced presence of AAIW during the cold intervals (LGM, H1 and YD) when AMOC was reduced. Down-core B/Ca record shows elevated intermediate water Δ[CO32-] during these cold intervals, further indicating a weaker influence of AAIW in the western tropical Atlantic. The δ13C record exhibits a pronounced deglacial minimum and a clear decoupling between δ13C and Cd/Ca after the AMOC completely recovered at around 8 kyr BP. This could be due to the carbonate ion effect on benthic Cd/Ca or the influence of organic matter remineralization on benthic δ13C. A new ɛNd record for the last deglaciation will be provided to evaluate the relative proportions of southern and northern waters at this intermediate site in the western tropical Atlantic.

Ocean Biological Pump Sensitivities and Implications for Climate Change Impacts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Romanou, Anastasia

2013-01-01

The ocean is one of the principal reservoirs of CO2, a greenhouse gas, and therefore plays a crucial role in regulating Earth's climate. Currently, the ocean sequesters about a third of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, mitigating the human impact on climate. At the same time, the deeper ocean represents the largest carbon pool in the Earth System and processes that describe the transfer of carbon from the surface of the ocean to depth are intimately linked to the effectiveness of carbon sequestration.The ocean biological pump (OBP), which involves several biogeochemical processes, is a major pathway for transfer of carbon from the surface mixed layer into the ocean interior. About 75 of the carbon vertical gradient is due to the carbon pump with only 25 attributed to the solubility pump. However, the relative importance and role of the two pumps is poorly constrained. OBP is further divided to the organic carbon pump (soft tissue pump) and the carbonate pump, with the former exporting about 10 times more carbon than the latter through processes like remineralization.Major uncertainties about OBP, and hence in the carbon uptake and sequestration, stem from uncertainties in processes involved in OBP such as particulate organicinorganic carbon sinkingsettling, remineralization, microbial degradation of DOC and uptakegrowth rate changes of the ocean biology. The deep ocean is a major sink of atmospheric CO2 in scales of hundreds to thousands of years, but how the export efficiency (i.e. the fraction of total carbon fixation at the surface that is transported at depth) is affected by climate change remains largely undetermined. These processes affect the ocean chemistry (alkalinity, pH, DIC, particulate and dissolved organic carbon) as well as the ecology (biodiversity, functional groups and their interactions) in the ocean. It is important to have a rigorous, quantitative understanding of the uncertainties involved in the observational measurements, the models and the projections of future changes.

Variations of iron flux and organic carbon remineralization in a subterranean estuary caused by interannual variations in recharge

USGS Publications Warehouse

Roy, Moutusi; Martin, Jonathan B.; Cable, Jaye E.; Smith, Christopher G.

2013-01-01

We determine the inter-annual variations in diagenetic reaction rates of sedimentary iron (Fe ) in an east Florida subterranean estuary and evaluate the connection between metal fluxes and recharge to the coastal aquifer. Over the three-year study period (from 2004 to 2007), the amount of Fe-oxides reduced at the study site decreased from 192 g/yr to 153 g/yr and associated organic carbon (OC) remineralization decreased from 48 g/yr to 38 g/yr. These reductions occurred although the Fe-oxide reduction rates remained constant around 1 mg/cm2/yr. These results suggest that changes in flow rates of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) related to changes in precipitation may be important to fluxes of the diagenetic reaction products. Rainfall at a weather station approximately 5 km from the field area decreased from 12.6 cm/month to 8.4 cm/month from 2004 to 2007. Monthly potential evapotranspiration (PET) calculated from Thornthwaite’s method indicated potential evapotranspiration cycled from about 3 cm/month in the winter to about 15 cm/month in the summer so that net annual recharge to the aquifer decreased from 40 cm in 2004 to -10 cm in 2007. Simultaneously, with the decrease in recharge of groundwater, freshwater SGD decreased by around 20% and caused the originally 25 m wide freshwater seepage face to decrease in width by about 5 m. The smaller seepage face reduced the area under which Fe-oxides were undergoing reductive dissolution. Consequently, the observed decrease in Fe flux is controlled by hydrology of the subterranean estuary. These results point out the need to better understand linkages between temporal variations in diagenetic reactions and changes in flow within subterranean estuaries in order to accurately constrain their contribution to oceanic fluxes of solutes from subterranean estuaries.

THE INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC MATTER QUALITY ON THE TOXICITY AND PARTIONING OF SEDIMENT-ASSOCIATED FLUORANTHENE

EPA Science Inventory

Organic matter in sediment is derived from many sources, including dead plants and animals, fecal matter, and flocculated colloidal organic matter. hemical partitioning and toxicity of nonpolar organic contaminants is strongly affected by the quantity of sediment organic matter. ...

Development of an Advanced Respirometer for Experimental Studies of Benthic Rate Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barry, J. P.; Buck, K. R.; Okuda, C.; Risi, M.; Parker, M.; Levesque, C.

2005-05-01

Rates of carbon remineralization and nutrient cycling by seafloor biotic assemblages are influenced by the availability of organic material, temperature, and oxygen availability, among other factors. The relative importance of various factors in controlling carbon cycling by the sediment community is poorly constrained, in part by technological limits on experiments that evaluate independently the effects of these factors. We have developed an advanced respiration chamber system capable of repeated rate measurements during a single deployment, with added capabilities for manipulating conditions within replicate chambers to test hypotheses concerning biogeochemical cycling by the benthos. The ROV-deployed respiration system has 12 syringes for tracer injection or sample withdrawal from 3 respiration chambers, pH, oxygen, and temperature sensors, stirring paddles, and a recirculation pump. The pump system is used to flush each chamber at preprogrammed intervals or oxygen tensions. Areas of investigation that are enabled by the system include the effects various factors on benthic oxygen consumptions (e.g. hypercapnia (elevated CO2), acidosis, ambient oxygen availability, temperature, organic carbon availability), rates of nutrient regeneration by the benthos in response to organic enrichments (labile and refractory organic carbon), time lags in carbon uptake and trophic pathways in responses to organic enrichment.

Efficacy of Concomitant Therapy with Fluoride and Chlorhexidine Varnish on Remineralization of Incipient Lesions in Young Children

PubMed Central

Tandon, Shobha; Nayak, Rashmi; Ratnanag, P Venkat; Prajapati, Deepesh; Kamath, Namitha

2016-01-01

Aim To assess the effect of combined use of chlorhexidine and fluoride varnish on the remineralization of incipient carious lesions in young children. Materials and methods Twenty caries-active children (80 lesions) were randomly divided into four groups and subjected to initial examination. Caries status was assessed visually and with the aid of DIAGNOdent. Baseline enamel biopsies were obtained. Subjects of groups I and II received fluoride and chlorhexidine varnish respectively. Group III received both fluoride and chlorhexidine varnish alternatively, for a period of 4 weeks. Group IV served as the control. At 3-month follow-up, the incipient lesions were assessed again with DIAGNOdent and enamel biopsy. Results Increased calcium, phosphate, and fluoride levels were noticed in groups I, II, III compared to group IV, at the 3-month follow-up (p < 0.001). Conclusion The combined therapy with fluoride and chlorhex-idine varnish may be considered an alternative therapy for early reversal of incipient lesions. How to cite this article Naidu S, Tandon S, Nayak R, Ratnanag PV, Prajapati D, Kamath N. Efficacy of Concomitant Therapy with Fluoride and Chlorhexidine Varnish on Remineralization of Incipient Lesions in Young Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(4):296-302. PMID:28127159

Influence of five home whitening gels and a remineralizing gel on the enamel and dentin ultrastructure and hardness.

PubMed

Pinheiro, Helena Burlamaqui; Cardoso, Paulo Eduardo Capel

2011-06-01

To investigate the influence of calcium phosphate enhanced home whitening agents on human enamel and dentin surface microhardness and ultramorphology. Five intact molars crowns were used for ultrastructural analysis and five for microhardness test. Each resulting coronal structure was cut in slices. After measuring baseline Knoop Hardness Number (KHN) of the enamel and dentin, the slices were divided into six experimental groups and one control (n= 5). G1= 15% carbamide peroxide (CP); G2= 16% CP; G3= Ca and PO4 (remineralizing agent); G4= 16% CP with Ca and PO4; G5= 7.5% hydrogen peroxide (HP) with Ca and PO4; G6=7.5% HP with Ca. After each daily session of treatment, specimens were stored in distilled water (37 degrees C) until the next session. Products were applied for 2 weeks, according to manufacturers' instructions. Additional KHN weredetermined. Conventional whitening agents (G1; G2) and the gel with Ca (G6), caused KHN decrease (P< 0.05).The remineralizing and whitening agents with Ca and PO4 (G3; G4; G5) did not change KHN. A change of morphology was observed on enamel and dentin surfaces in G1; G2; G5.

QLF monitoring of therapies for early secondary caries arrestment and remineralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fontana, Margherita; Gonzalez-Cabezas, Carlos; Stookey, George K.

2000-03-01

Secondary caries (SC) is the most common reason for restoration failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence (QLF) method for monitoring therapies to inhibit SC progression. Forty-eight human teeth with resin restorations were demineralized for 4 days in a microbial caries model. Half of each specimen was then covered with an acid-resistant varnish to maintain the baseline lesion, and treated (group 1: non-treated control; group 2: chlorhexidine varnish for 24 h; group 3: fluoride varnish for 24 h; group 4: APF topical fluoride gel for 4 min), prior to being demineralized for 4 more days. Specimens were analyzed by QLF, sectioned, stained with Rhodamine B, and analyzed with a confocal microscope (CLSM) for lesion depth. The QLF results indicated that the control group was significantly (p less than 0.05) different (i.e., lesions progressed) from groups treated with fluoride (groups 3 and 4; lesions remineralized). All other group comparisons were not significantly different. Results obtained from CLSM analysis were similar to the ones obtained with QLF, except that lesions in group 2 were significantly deeper than the ones in the fluoride groups. Results suggest that the QLF method has a clear potential for monitoring remineralizing therapies for SC.

Implications for carbon processing beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet from dissolved CO2 and CH4 concentrations of subglacial discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pain, A.; Martin, J.; Martin, E. E.

2017-12-01

Subglacial carbon processes are of increasing interest as warming induces ice melting and increases fluxes of glacial meltwater into proglacial rivers and the coastal ocean. Meltwater may serve as an atmospheric source or sink of carbon dioxide (CO2) or methane (CH4), depending on the magnitudes of subglacial organic carbon (OC) remineralization, which produces CO2 and CH4, and mineral weathering reactions, which consume CO2 but not CH4. We report wide variability in dissolved CO2 and CH4 concentrations at the beginning of the melt season (May-June 2017) between three sites draining land-terminating glaciers of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Two sites, located along the Watson River in western Greenland, drain the Isunnguata and Russell Glaciers and contained 1060 and 400 ppm CO2, respectively. In-situ CO2 flux measurements indicated that the Isunnguata was a source of atmospheric CO2, while the Russell was a sink. Both sites had elevated CH4 concentrations, at 325 and 25 ppm CH4, respectively, suggesting active anaerobic OC remineralization beneath the ice sheet. Dissolved CO2 and CH4 reached atmospheric equilibrium within 2.6 and 8.6 km downstream of Isunnguata and Russell discharge sites, respectively. These changes reflect rapid gas exchange with the atmosphere and/or CO2 consumption via instream mineral weathering. The third site, draining the Kiagtut Sermiat in southern Greenland, had about half atmospheric CO2 concentrations (250 ppm), but approximately atmospheric CH4 concentrations (2.1 ppm). Downstream CO2 flux measurements indicated ingassing of CO2 over the entire 10-km length of the proglacial river. CO2 undersaturation may be due to more readily weathered lithologies underlying the Kiagtut Sermiat compared to Watson River sites, but low CH4 concentrations also suggest limited contributions of CO2 and CH4 from OC remineralization. These results suggest that carbon processing beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet may be more variable than previously recognized. Variations control whether discharge is a source or sink of atmospheric CO2 or CH4, but gas concentrations could be further modified by instream reactions. Increased meltwater fluxes should enhance the importance of greenhouse gas fluxes from subglacial discharge, and heighten the need to constrain variability in subglacial carbon processing.

Identification of sources and seasonal variability of organic matter in Lake Sihwa and surrounding inland creeks, South Korea.

PubMed

Lee, Yeonjung; Hong, Seongjin; Kim, Min-Seob; Kim, Dahae; Choi, Bo-Hyung; Hur, Jin; Khim, Jong Seong; Shin, Kyung-Hoon

2017-06-01

Coastal areas are subjected to significant allochthonous organic matter deposits from surrounding areas; however, limited information is available on the source and delivery of this organic matter. In this study, to assess seasonal changes in the sources of organic matter in Lake Sihwa (Korea), biodegradability, fluorescence property, and stable isotopic compositions (carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur) of the organic matter were determined. Water samples were collected from the inner lake (n = 9) and inland creeks (n = 10) in five separate events, from November 2012 to October 2013. Organic matter originating from rural, urban, and industrial areas was examined as the potential sources. The organic matter contents and biodegradability in the industrial area were the highest, whereas low concentrations and poor biodegradability of organic matter were found in the rural area, and moderate properties were observed in the urban area. In Lake Sihwa, a large concentration of total organic matter and enhanced biodegradability were observed during March and August. However, main source of organic matter differed between the sampling events. The largest contribution of organic matter, deriving from marine phytoplankton, was found in March. On the other hand, in August, the organic matter originating from the industrial area, which is characterized by high levels of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, was significantly increased. Our results could be useful to enhance the management of water bodies aimed at reducing the organic matter concentrations and improving the water quality of Lake Sihwa, and even that of the Yellow Sea. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In vitro effect of amorphous calcium phosphate paste applied for extended periods of time on enamel remineralization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vieira, Ana Elisa de Mello; Danelon, Marcelle; Camara, Danielle Mendes da

Dental applications based on the unique characteristics of amorphous calcium phosphate stabilized by casein phosphopeptides (CPP-ACP) have been proposed, as well as the improvement of its properties. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of topically applied CPP-ACP from a commercial product to remineralize subsurface lesions when applied for extended periods of time (3 h and 8 h). Artificially induced carious lesions were produced in 50 bovine enamel blocks previously selected by surface hardness. After treatments with gel without F and CPP-ACP applied for 1 minute (Placebo); 2% NaF neutral gel applied for 1 minute (Fluoride 1more » min); CPP-ACP applied for 3 min (ACP 3 min); and CPP-ACP applied for 3 h (ACP 3 h) and for 8 h (ACP 8 h), the enamel blocks were submitted to the remineralization pH-cycling. Surface hardness and synchrotron micro-tomography were used to determine the percentage of surface hardness recovery (%SHR) and to calculate mineral concentration (g HAp.cm -3), respectively. The data were submitted to ANOVA followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test (p<0.05). Fluoride gel presented higher %SHR followed by ACP 3 min (p<0.001). No difference (p = 0.148) was found for Placebo, ACP 3 h and ACP 8 h groups for %SHR. Fluoride gel showed greater mineral concentration (p<0.001) when compared with the other groups. ACP 3 min demonstrated a significant difference (p<0.001) from ACP 3 h and ACP 8 h. The ACP 3 h and 8 h presented a subsurface lesion with development of laminations in all blocks. In this in vitro study the use of CPP-ACP for extended periods of time did not produce an additive effect in the remineralization process.« less

Efficacy of a new filler-containing root coating material for dentin remineralization.

PubMed

Okuyama, Katsushi; Kadowaki, Yoshitaka; Matsuda, Yasuhiro; Hashimoto, Naoki; Oki, Saiko; Yamamoto, Hiroko; Tamaki, Yukimichi; Sano, Hidehiko

2016-08-01

To evaluate a new root coating material containing surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler for remineralization of demineralized dentin. The dentin was exposed on root surfaces of human third molars and demineralized by immersion in demineralization solution for 4 days. The demineralized dentin surface was divided into three areas. The center area was left untreated. The area on one side of the center area was coated with protective wax. The area on the other side was coated with one of four test materials: fluoride-containing S-PRG filler (PRG Barrier Coat: PR), fluoride-containing bonding agent (Bond Force: BF), fluoride-containing glass-ionomer cement as a positive control (Fuji IX EXTRA: EX), or non-fluoride-containing bonding agent as a negative control (Clearfil MegaBond: MB). The samples were stored in remineralization solution for 7 days, and then cut into two slices. The mineral changes, defined as variation in mineral loss between wax-coated area and the central untreated area, were measured in one slice by transversal microradiography. The fluoride concentration was measured in the other slice by µ-particle-induced gamma/X-ray emission. Seven thin specimens (0.25-mm thickness) of each test material were used to determine fluoride ion release from the materials over 21 days. The mineral changes were greatest for EX, followed by PR, with no difference between BF and MB (P> 0.05). Regarding the fluoride concentrations in dentin, there was no difference between EX and PR (P> 0.05). MB had the lowest value (P< 0.01). Fluoride release from EX was largest, followed by PR, with BF showing low fluoride release (P< 0.05). MB had no fluoride release. A new coating material with S-PRG filler can be applied in a thin layer on root dentin, which could be especially useful for hard-to-access lesions. This material remineralized demineralized root dentin and had fluoride diffusion characteristics similar to those of glass-ionomer cement in vitro.

44Ca doped remineralization study on dentin by isotope microscopy.

PubMed

Hiraishi, N; Kobayashi, S; Yurimoto, H; Tagami, J

2018-04-01

The dental caries is developed as a result of an alternative course of mineral gain and loss. In order to distinguish between intrinsic Ca (tooth-derived mineral) and extrinsic Ca (solution-derived mineral) uptakes, a 44 Ca doped pH-cycling was performed using 44 Ca (a stable calcium isotope) remineralization solution. The natural abundance of 40 Ca and 44 Ca is 96.9% and 2.1%, respectively. The remineralization solution was prepared using 44 Ca to contain 1.5mmol/L CaCl 2 ( 44 Ca), 0.9mmol/L KH 2 PO 4, 130mmol/L KCl, 20mmol/L HEPES at pH 7.0. The pH-cycling was conducted on bovine root dentin daily by demineralization (pH 5.0) for 2h, incubation in 0% (control) and 0.2% NaF (900ppm fluoride) for 2h and 44 Ca doped remineralization for 20h. After 14days pH-cycling, the specimens were sectioned longitudinally. On the sectioned surface, isotope imaging of 40 Ca and 44 Ca labeled mineral distribution was observed by a high mass-resolution stigmatic secondary ion 77 (Camera IMS 1270, Gennevilliers Cedex, France). Uptake of 44 Ca was greater in intensity for the 0.2% fluoride group than the control, especially in the superficial lesions. The control group showed 40 Ca (intrinsic) distribution in the subsurface lesions and in the superficial lesions, meanwhile the fluoride group showed 40 Ca distribution limited in subsurface lesions. The total Ca ( 44 Ca+ 40 Ca) image revealed more homogeneously for the control than the fluoride group. Since the fluoride-treated surface is more acid-resistant than intrinsic dentin, alternative minerals were dissolved from the intact intrinsic lesion in the demineralization cycle. Copyright © 2018 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In vitro effect of amorphous calcium phosphate paste applied for extended periods of time on enamel remineralization

DOE PAGES

Vieira, Ana Elisa de Mello; Danelon, Marcelle; Camara, Danielle Mendes da; ...

2017-12-01

Dental applications based on the unique characteristics of amorphous calcium phosphate stabilized by casein phosphopeptides (CPP-ACP) have been proposed, as well as the improvement of its properties. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of topically applied CPP-ACP from a commercial product to remineralize subsurface lesions when applied for extended periods of time (3 h and 8 h). Artificially induced carious lesions were produced in 50 bovine enamel blocks previously selected by surface hardness. After treatments with gel without F and CPP-ACP applied for 1 minute (Placebo); 2% NaF neutral gel applied for 1 minute (Fluoride 1more » min); CPP-ACP applied for 3 min (ACP 3 min); and CPP-ACP applied for 3 h (ACP 3 h) and for 8 h (ACP 8 h), the enamel blocks were submitted to the remineralization pH-cycling. Surface hardness and synchrotron micro-tomography were used to determine the percentage of surface hardness recovery (%SHR) and to calculate mineral concentration (g HAp.cm -3), respectively. The data were submitted to ANOVA followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test (p<0.05). Fluoride gel presented higher %SHR followed by ACP 3 min (p<0.001). No difference (p = 0.148) was found for Placebo, ACP 3 h and ACP 8 h groups for %SHR. Fluoride gel showed greater mineral concentration (p<0.001) when compared with the other groups. ACP 3 min demonstrated a significant difference (p<0.001) from ACP 3 h and ACP 8 h. The ACP 3 h and 8 h presented a subsurface lesion with development of laminations in all blocks. In this in vitro study the use of CPP-ACP for extended periods of time did not produce an additive effect in the remineralization process.« less

Effects of Atrazine, Metolachlor, Carbaryl and Chlorothalonil on Benthic Microbes and Their Nutrient Dynamics

PubMed Central

Elias, Daniel; Bernot, Melody J.

2014-01-01

Atrazine, metolachlor, carbaryl, and chlorothalonil are detected in streams throughout the U.S. at concentrations that may have adverse effects on benthic microbes. Sediment samples were exposed to these pesticides to quantify responses of ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate uptake by the benthic microbial community. Control uptake rates of sediments had net remineralization of nitrate (−1.58 NO3 µg gdm−1 h−1), and net assimilation of phosphate (1.34 PO4 µg gdm−1 h−1) and ammonium (0.03 NH4 µg gdm−1 h−1). Metolachlor decreased ammonium and phosphate uptake. Chlorothalonil decreased nitrate remineralization and phosphate uptake. Nitrate, ammonium, and phosphate uptake rates are more pronounced in the presence of these pesticides due to microbial adaptations to toxicants. Our interpretation of pesticide availability based on their water/solid affinities supports no effects for atrazine and carbaryl, decreasing nitrate remineralization, and phosphate assimilation in response to chlorothalonil. Further, decreased ammonium and phosphate uptake in response to metolachlor is likely due to affinity. Because atrazine target autotrophs, and carbaryl synaptic activity, effects on benthic microbes were not hypothesized, consistent with results. Metolachlor and chlorothalonil (non-specific modes of action) had significant effects on sediment microbial nutrient dynamics. Thus, pesticides with a higher affinity to sediments and/or broad modes of action are likely to affect sediment microbes' nutrient dynamics than pesticides dissolved in water or specific modes of action. Predicted nutrient uptake rates were calculated at mean and peak concentrations of metolachlor and chlorothalonil in freshwaters using polynomial equations generated in this experiment. We concluded that in natural ecosystems, peak chlorothalonil and metolachlor concentrations could affect phosphate and ammonium by decreasing net assimilation, and nitrate uptake rates by decreasing remineralization, relative to mean concentrations of metolachlor and chlorothalonil. Our regression equations can complement models of nitrogen and phosphorus availability in streams to predict potential changes in nutrient dynamics in response to pesticides in freshwaters. PMID:25275369

A Coupled Epipelagic-Meso/Bathypelagic Particle Flux Model for the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Station (BATS)/Oceanic Flux Program (OFP) Site

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glover, D. M.; Conte, M.

2002-12-01

Of considerable scientific interest is the role remineralization plays in the global carbon cycle. It is the ``biological pump'' that fixes carbon in the upper water column and exports it for long time periods to the deep ocean. From a global carbon cycle point-of-view, it is the processes that govern remineralization in the mid- to deep-ocean waters that provide the feedback to the biogeochemical carbon cycle. In this study we construct an ecosystem model that serves as a mechanistic link between euphotic processes and mesopelagic and bathypelagic processes. We then use this prognostic model to further our understanding of the unparalleled time-series of deep-water sediment traps (21+ years) at the Oceanic Flux Program (OFP) and the euphotic zone measurements (10+ years) at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Site (BATS). At the core of this mechanistic ecosystem model of the mesopelagic zone is a model that consists of an active feeding habit zooplankton, a passive feeding habit zooplankton, large detritus (sinks), small detritus (non-sinking), and a nutrient pool. As the detritus, the primary source of food, moves through the water column it is fed upon by the active/passive zooplankton pair and undergoes bacterially mediated remineralization into nutrients. The large detritus pool at depth gains material from the formation of fecal pellets from the passive and active zooplankton. Sloppy feeding habits of the active zooplankton contribute to the small detrital pool. Zooplankton mortality (both classes) also contribute directly to the large detritus pool. Aggregation and disaggregation transform detrital particles from one pool to the other and back again. The nutrients at each depth will gain from detrital remineralization and zooplankton excretion. The equations that model the active zooplankton, passive zooplankton, large detritus, small detritus, and nutrients will be reviewed, results shown and future model modifications discussed.

Glacial-Holocene variability in pelagic denitrification and OMZ intensity along the NW Mexican Margin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ontiveros Cuadras, J. F.; Thunell, R.; Ruiz-Fernandez, A. C.; Machain-Castillo, M. L.; Tappa, E.

2017-12-01

Denitrification of fixed nitrogen represents a substantial loss of bioavailable nitrogen from the ocean, thus playing a major role in the global nitrogen cycle. Water-column (pelagic) denitrification occurs mostly in the oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), which are situated beneath coastal upwelling areas that are characterized by high settling fluxes of organic detritus and high rates of oxygen utilization from remineralization. Our study uses biogenic components (total organic carbon and opal) and δ15N values of sediments from the NW Mexican Margin to reconstruct variations in denitrification and strength of the OMZ in the eastern tropical North Pacific (ETNP) for the last 36,000 years. During the last glacial period (LGM, 23-18 kyr) the associations between relatively low δ15N values (7-8‰) and low TOC (2-4%) and opal (1-4%) content indicates reduced denitrification due to reduced upwelling and decreased flux of organic matter through the OMZ. This was followed by abrupt acceleration of water-column denitrification (δ15N, 7-10‰) and the strengthening of the OMZ during the latter half of Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1; 18-14.7 kyr). However, the biogenic component of sediments deposited during HS1 do not increase appreciably, suggesting that the increase in denitrification was not driven by an increase in productivity. Furthermore, the increase in δ15N precedes the deglacial decrease in planktonic foraminiferal δ18O which mostly occurs during the Bolling Alerod (14.7-12.9 kyr). This suggests that the increase in denitrification was not a response to surface warming. Rather, we attribute the rapid increase in denitrification during HS1 to reduced ventilation of the ETNP OMZ. Following the peak in denitrification at the end of HS1, we observe a small but steady decline in δ15N over the last 15 kyr. Higher TOC in Holocene sediments relative to glacial sediments suggests that increased productivity has played a role in maintaining a strong OMZ throughout the Holocene.

Microbes in a bottle: Where model organisms and analog systems meet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamilton, T. L.; Weber, M.; Lott, C.; Havig, J. R.; Clark, C.; Bird, L. R.; de Beer, D.; Dron, A.; Freeman, K. H.; Macalady, J. L.

2015-12-01

Understanding the evolution of the Earth's surface chemistry is one of the most exciting challenges in modern geoscience. The Great Oxidation Event occurred ~2.5 Ga, when the concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere increased from <0.001% of the present atmospheric level (PAL) to within 1-10%. Following the initial rise, concentrations of O2 in the atmosphere and oceans remained well below present-day atmospheric levels through the Proterozoic until a second rise ~0.6 Ga to levels around those observed today. Thus, for much of Earth's history, deep oceans probably remained oxygen-poor until the most recent increase in atmospheric O2. In addition to low levels of O2, at least portions of the oceans were euxinic (sulfide-rich) with H2S often reaching the photic zone. Oxygenic photosynthesis is the largest source of O2 in the atmosphere. Primary productivity and the remineralization of organic matter are intimately linked to planetary redox and thus to levels of O2. As a result, biologic carbon isotope fractionation and other biomarkers (i.e. hopanoids) facilitate our interpretation of biogeochemical cycling during the Proterozoic Eon. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of two photoautotrophs—the dominant primary producers—from a Proterozoic Ocean analog. We examined the 13C fractionation in the microbial mat and employed in situ microcosms to estimate primary productivity. In addition, we deployed diver-operated microsensors to determine oxygen production and sulfide consumption over a 24-hour cycle and sequenced total RNA from 4 time points. Using these data, we examined primary production in pure cultures of the dominant Cyanobacteria and green sulfur bacteria from the mat under conditions that mimic those observed in situ. We use this information to begin to build a model of oxygen production and organic carbon burial in a Proterozoic-like environment where Cyanobacteria can contribute to primary productivity in the absence of oxygen production. Furthermore, we examined the differences between 13C fractionation in cultures maintained under "ideal" conditions compared to those observed in situ. Collectively, the RNA sequencing data, the in situ primary productivity data and pure culture information were necessary to interpret the 13C signal from the mats.

Isolation and chemical characterization of dissolved and colloidal organic matter

USGS Publications Warehouse

Aiken, G.; Leenheer, J.

1993-01-01

Commonly used techniques for the concentration and isolation of organic matter from water, such as preparative chromatography, ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis, and the methods used to analyze the organic matter obtained by these methods are reviewed. The development of methods to obtain organic matter that is associated with fractions of the dissolved organic carbon other than humic substances, such as organic bases, hydrophilic organic acids and colloidal organic matter are discussed. Methods specifically used to study dissolved organic nitrogen and dissolved organic phosphorous are also discussed. -from Authors

The elemental stoichiometry (C, Si, N, P) of the Hebrides Shelf and its role in carbon export

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Painter, Stuart C.; Hartman, Susan E.; Kivimäe, Caroline; Salt, Lesley A.; Clargo, Nicola M.; Daniels, Chris J.; Bozec, Yann; Daniels, Lucie; Allen, Stephanie; Hemsley, Victoria S.; Moschonas, Grigorios; Davidson, Keith

2017-12-01

A detailed analysis of the internal stoichiometry of a temperate latitude shelf sea system is presented which reveals strong vertical and horizontal gradients in dissolved nutrient and particulate concentrations and in the elemental stoichiometry of those pools. Such gradients have implications for carbon and nutrient export from coastal waters to the open ocean. The mixed layer inorganic nutrient stoichiometry shifted from balanced N:P in winter, to elevated N:P in spring and to depleted N:P in summer, relative to the Redfield ratio. This pattern suggests increased likelihood of P limitation of fast growing phytoplankton species in spring and of N limitation of slower growing species in summer. However, as only silicate concentrations were below potentially limiting concentrations during summer and autumn the stoichiometric shifts in inorganic nutrient N:P are considered due to phytoplankton nutrient preference patterns rather than nutrient exhaustion. Elevated particulate stoichiometries corroborate non-Redfield optima underlying organic matter synthesis and nutrient uptake. Seasonal variation in the stoichiometry of the inorganic and organic nutrient pools has the potential to influence the efficiency of nutrient export. In summer, when organic nutrient concentrations were at their highest and inorganic nutrient concentrations were at their lowest, the organic nutrient pool was comparatively C poor whilst the inorganic nutrient pool was comparatively C rich. The cross-shelf export of these pools at this time would be associated with different efficiencies regardless of the total magnitude of exchange. In autumn the elemental stoichiometries increased with depth in all pools revealing widespread carbon enrichment of shelf bottom waters with P more intensely recycled than N, N more intensely recycled than C, and Si weakly remineralized relative to C. Offshelf carbon fluxes were most efficient via the inorganic nutrient pool, intermediate for the organic nutrient pool and least efficient for the particulate pool. N loss from the shelf however was most efficient via the dissolved organic nutrient pool. Mass balance calculations suggest that 28% of PO43-, 34% of NO3- and 73% of Si drawdown from the mixed layer fails to reappear in the benthic water column thereby indicating the proportion of the nutrient pools that must be resupplied from the ocean each year to maintain shelf wide productivity. Loss to the neighbouring ocean, the sediments, transference to the dissolved organic nutrient pool and higher trophic levels are considered the most likely fate for these missing nutrients.

Mercury dilution by autochthonous organic matter in a fertilized mangrove wetland.

PubMed

Machado, Wilson; Sanders, Christian J; Santos, Isaac R; Sanders, Luciana M; Silva-Filho, Emmanoel V; Luiz-Silva, Wanilson

2016-06-01

A dated sediment core from a highly-fertilized mangrove wetland located in Cubatão (SE Brazil) presented a negative correlation between mercury (Hg) and organic carbon contents. This is an unusual result for a metal with well-known affinity to organic matter. A dilution of Hg concentrations by autochthonous organic matter explained this observation, as revealed by carbon stable isotopes signatures (δ(13)C). Mercury dilution by the predominant mangrove-derived organic matter counterbalanced the positive influences of algal-derived organic matter and clay contents on Hg levels, suggesting that deleterious effects of Hg may be attenuated. Considering the current paradigm on the positive effect of organic matter on Hg concentrations in coastal sediments and the expected increase in mangrove organic matter burial due to natural and anthropogenic stimulations of primary production, predictions on the influences of organic matter on Hg accumulation in mangrove wetlands deserve caution. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Advanced zinc-doped adhesives for high performance at the resin-carious dentin interface.

PubMed

Toledano, Manuel; Osorio, Raquel; Osorio, Estrella; García-Godoy, Franklin; Toledano-Osorio, Manuel; Aguilera, Fátima S

2016-09-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the remineralization ability of an etch-and-rinse Zn-doped resin applied on caries-affected dentin (CAD). CAD surfaces were subjected to: (i) 37% phosphoric acid (PA) or (ii) 0.5M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). 10wt% ZnO nanoparticles or 2wt% ZnCl2 were added into the adhesive Single Bond (SB), to create the following groups: PA+SB, PA+SB-ZnO, PA+SB-ZnCl2, EDTA+SB, EDTA+SB-ZnO, EDTA+SB-ZnCl2. Bonded interfaces were submitted to mechanical loading or stored during 24h. Remineralization of the bonded interfaces was studied by AFM nano-indentation (hardness and Young׳s modulus), Raman spectroscopy [mapping with principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA)] and Masson׳s trichrome staining technique. Dentin samples treated with PA+SB-ZnO attained the highest values of nano-mechanical properties. Load cycling increased both mineralization and crystallographic maturity at the interface; this effect was specially noticed when using ZnCl2-doped resin in EDTA-treated carious dentin. Crosslinking attained higher frequencies indicating better conformation and organization of collagen in specimens treated with PA+SB-ZnO, after load cycling. Trichrome staining technique depicted a deeper demineralized dentin fringe that became reduced after loading, and it was not observable in EDTA+SB groups. Multivariate analysis confirmed de homogenizing effect of load cycling in the percentage of variances, traces of centroids and distribution of clusters, especially in specimens treated with EDTA+SB-ZnCl2. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) coupled to XAD fractionation: Method to algal organic matter characterization.

PubMed

Nicolau, Rudy; Leloup, Maud; Lachassagne, Delphine; Pinault, Emilie; Feuillade-Cathalifaud, Geneviève

2015-05-01

This work is focused on the development of an analytical procedure for the improvement of the Organic Matter structure characterization, particularly the algal matter. Two fractions of algal organic matter from laboratory cultures of algae (Euglena gracilis) and cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa) were extracted with XAD resins. The fractions were studied using laser desorption ionization (LDI) and Matrix-Assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). A comparison with the natural organic matter characteristics from commercial humic acids and fulvic acids extracted from Suwannee River was performed. Results show that algal and natural organic matters have unique quasi-polymeric structures. Significant repeating patterns were identified. Different fractions extracted from organic matter with common origin had common structures. Thus, 44, 114 and 169Da peaks separation for fractions from E. gracilis organic matter and 28, 58 and 100Da for M. aeruginosa ones were clearly observed. Using the developed protocol, a structural scheme and organic matter composition were obtained. The range 600-2000Da contained more architectural composition differences than the range 100-600Da, suggesting that organic matter is composed of an assembly of common small molecules. Associated to specific monomers, particular patterns were common to all samples but assembly and resulting structure were unique for each organic matter. Thus, XAD fractionation coupled to mass spectroscopy allowed determining a specific fingerprint for each organic matter. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Organic matter in central California radiation fogs.

PubMed

Herckes, Pierre; Lee, Taehyoung; Trenary, Laurie; Kang, Gongunn; Chang, Hui; Collett, Jeffrey L

2002-11-15

Organic matter was studied in radiation fogs in the San Joaquin Valley of California during the California Regional Particulate Air Quality Study (CRPAQS). Total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations ranged from 2 to 40 ppm of C. While most organic carbon was found in solution as dissolved organic carbon (DOC), 23% on average was not dissolved inside the fog drops. We observe a clear variation of organic matter concentration with droplet size. TOC concentrations in small fog drops (<17 microm) were a factor of 3, on average, higher than TOC concentrations in larger drops. As much as half of the dissolved organic matter was determined to have a molecular weight higher than 500 Da. Deposition fluxes of organic matter in fog drops were high (0.5-4.3 microg of C m(-2) min(-1)), indicating the importance of fog processing as a vector for removal of organic matter from the atmosphere. Deposition velocities of organic matter, however, were usually found to be lower than deposition velocities for fogwater, consistent with the enrichment of the organic matter in smaller fog drops with lower terminal settling velocities.

Shape-preserving transformations of organic matter and compositions thereof

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kaehr, Bryan J.; Meyer, Kristin; Townson, Jason L.

The present invention relates to methods of transforming organic matter into organic-inorganic composites, inorganic replicas, or conductive replicas. Organic matter, such as biological cells and tissue and organs, can be converted into such composites and replicas using the methods described herein. In particular, such methods transform organic matter (into inorganic, organic-inorganic, or conductive constructs), while simultaneously preserving microscopic and/or macroscopic structural detail.

Opposing effects of different soil organic matter fractions on crop yields.

PubMed

Wood, Stephen A; Sokol, Noah; Bell, Colin W; Bradford, Mark A; Naeem, Shahid; Wallenstein, Matthew D; Palm, Cheryl A

2016-10-01

Soil organic matter is critical to sustainable agriculture because it provides nutrients to crops as it decomposes and increases nutrient- and water-holding capacity when built up. Fast- and slow-cycling fractions of soil organic matter can have different impacts on crop production because fast-cycling fractions rapidly release nutrients for short-term plant growth and slow-cycling fractions bind nutrients that mineralize slowly and build up water-holding capacity. We explored the controls on these fractions in a tropical agroecosystem and their relationship to crop yields. We performed physical fractionation of soil organic matter from 48 farms and plots in western Kenya. We found that fast-cycling, particulate organic matter was positively related to crop yields, but did not have a strong effect, while slower-cycling, mineral-associated organic matter was negatively related to yields. Our finding that slower-cycling organic matter was negatively related to yield points to a need to revise the view that stabilization of organic matter positively impacts food security. Our results support a new paradigm that different soil organic matter fractions are controlled by different mechanisms, potentially leading to different relationships with management outcomes, like crop yield. Effectively managing soils for sustainable agriculture requires quantifying the effects of specific organic matter fractions on these outcomes. © 2016 by the Ecological Society of America.

Soft X-Ray Photoionizing Organic Matter from Comet Wild 2: Evidence for the Production of Organic Matter by Impact Processes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zolensky, Michael E.; Wirick, S.; Flynn, G. J.; Jacobsen, C.; Na

2011-01-01

The Stardust mission collected both mineral and organic matter from Comet Wild 2 [1,2,3,4]. The organic matter discovered in Comet Wild 2 ranges from aromatic hydrocarbons to simple aliphatic chains and is as diverse and complex as organic matter found in carbonaceous chondrites and interplanetary dust particles.[3,5,6,7,8,9]. Compared to insoluble organic matter from carbonaceous chondrites the organic matter in Comet Wild 2 more closely resembles organic matter found in the IDPS both hydrous and anhydrous. Common processes for the formation of organic matter in space include: Fischer-Tropsch, included with this aqueous large body and moderate heating alterations; UV irradiation of ices; and; plasma formation and collisions. The Fischer-Tropsch could only occur on large bodies processes, and the production of organic matter by UV radiation is limited by the penetration depth of UV photons, on the order of a few microns or less for most organic matter, so once organic matter coats the ices it is formed from, the organic production process would stop. Also, the organic matter formed by UV irradiation would, by the nature of the process, be in-sensitive to photodissocation from UV light. The energy of soft X-rays, 280-300 eV occur within the range of extreme ultraviolet photons. During the preliminary examination period we found a particle that nearly completely photoionized when exposed to photons in the energy range 280-310eV. This particle experienced a long exposure time to the soft x-ray beam which caused almost complete mass loss so little chemical information was obtain. During the analysis of our second allocation we have discovered another particle that photoionized at these energies but the exposure time was limited and more chemical information was obtained.

Pulse thermography for quantitative nondestructive evaluation of sound, de-mineralized and re-mineralized enamel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ando, Masatoshi; Sharp, Nathan; Adams, Douglas

2012-04-01

Current limitations for diagnosing mineralization state of tooth enamel can lead to improper surgical treatments. A method is investigated by which the tooth health state is characterized according to its thermal response, which is hypothesized to be sensitive to increased porosity in enamel that is caused by demineralization. Several specimens consisting of previously extracted human teeth a re prepared by exposure to Streptococcus mutans A32-2 in trypticase-soy-borth supplemented with 5% sucrose at 37°C for 3 or 6 days to de-mineralize two 1×1mm2-windows on each tooth. One of these windows is then re-mineralized with 250 or 1,100ppm-F as NaF for 10 days by pH-cyclic-model. Pulse thermography is used to measure the thermal response of these sections as well as the sound (healthy) portions of the specimen. A spatial profile of the thermal parameters of the specimens is then extracted from the thermography data and are used to compare the sound, de-mineralized, and re-mineralized areas. Results show that the thermal parameters are sensitive to the mineralization state of the tooth and that this method has the potential to accurately and quickly characterize the mineralization state of teeth, thereby allowing future dentists to make informed decisions regarding the best treatment for teeth that have experienced demineralization.

Remineralizing Potential of a Low Fluoride Toothpaste with Sodium Trimetaphosphate: An in situ Study.

PubMed

Takeshita, Eliana M; Danelon, Marcelle; Castro, Luciene P; Cunha, Robson F; Delbem, Alberto C B

2016-01-01

To evaluate the effect of a low-fluoride (F) toothpaste supplemented with sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP) on enamel remineralization in situ. Bovine enamel blocks were selected on the basis of their surface hardness (SH) after caries-like lesions had been induced, and randomly divided into 4 treatment groups, according to the toothpastes used: without F or TMP (placebo); 500 ppm F; 500 ppm F plus 1% TMP; and 1,100 ppm F. The study design was blinded and crossover and performed in 4 phases of 3 days each. Eleven subjects used palatal appliances containing 4 bovine enamel blocks which were treated 3 times per day during 1 min each time, with natural slurries of saliva and toothpaste formed in the oral cavity during toothbrushing. After each phase, the percentages of surface (%SHR) and subsurface hardness recovery (%ΔKHNR) were calculated. F, calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (Pi) contents in enamel were also determined. Data were analyzed by 1-way, repeated-measures ANOVA, followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test (p < 0.05). Toothpaste with 500 ppm F + TMP and 1,100 ppm F showed similar %SHR and %ΔKHNR as well as enamel F, Ca, and Pi concentrations. The addition of TMP to a low-fluoride toothpaste promoted a similar remineralizing capacity to that of a standard (1,100 ppm F) toothpaste in situ. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The effect of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate and a cola soft drink on in vitro enamel hardness.

PubMed

Panich, Muratha; Poolthong, Suchit

2009-04-01

The authors conducted an in vitro study to compare the hardness of normal enamel with enamel eroded by a cola soft drink and enamel remineralized by casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) or artificial saliva. The authors immersed 40 extracted sound central and lateral incisors alternately in a cola soft drink or artificial saliva for 10 cycles of five seconds each. They repeated this procedure two times at six-hour intervals. They divided the samples randomly into four groups and applied CPP-ACP to the samples, immersed them in artificial saliva, deionized water or both. They measured the hardness on the labial surface at baseline, after erosion and after remineralization and analyzed the data with one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and two-way analysis of variance. The cola soft drink significantly decreased enamel hardness. CPP-ACP and CPP-ACP and artificial saliva significantly increased the hardness of eroded enamel. CPP-ACP and CPP-ACP and artificial saliva increased the hardness of eroded enamel significantly more than artificial saliva did. CPP-ACP increased the hardness of eroded enamel. CPP-ACP had a greater effect on enamel hardness than did artificial saliva. Consumption of a cola soft drink can cause tooth erosion. CPP-ACP may significantly remineralize eroded enamel compared with artificial saliva.

Dissolved nutrient balance and net ecosystem metabolism in a Mediterranean-climate coastal lagoon: San Diego Bay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delgadillo-Hinojosa, F.; Zirino, A.; Holm-Hansen, O.; Hernández-Ayón, J. M.; Boyd, T. J.; Chadwick, B.; Rivera-Duarte, I.

2008-02-01

The temporal and spatial variability of dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP), nitrogen (DIN), carbon (DIC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were studied in order to determine the net ecosystem metabolism (NEM) of San Diego Bay (SDB), a Mediterranean-climate lagoon. A series of four sampling campaigns were carried out during the rainy (January 2000) and the dry (August 2000 and May and September 2001) seasons. During the dry season, temperature, salinity and DIP, DIC and DOC concentrations increased from oceanic values in the outer bay to higher values at the innermost end of the bay. DIP, DIC and DOC concentrations showed a clear offset from conservative mixing implying production of these dissolved materials inside the bay. During the rainy season, DIP and DOC increased to the head, whereas salinity decreased toward the mouth due to land runoff and river discharges. The distributions of DIP and DOC also showed a deviation from conservative mixing in this season, implying a net addition of these dissolved materials during estuarine mixing within the bay. Mass balance calculations showed that SDB consistently exported DIP (2.8-9.8 × 10 3 mol P d -1), DIC (263-352 × 10 3 mol C d -1) and DOC (198-1233 × 10 3 mol C d -1), whereas DIN (5.5-18.2 × 10 3 mol N d -1) was exported in all samplings except in May 2001 when it was imported (8.6 × 10 3 mol N d -1). The DIP, DIC and DOC export rates along with the strong relationship between DIP, DIC or DOC and salinity suggest that intense tidal mixing plays an important role in controlling their distributions and that SDB is a source of nutrients and DOC to the Southern California Bight. Furthermore, NEM ranged from -8.1 ± 1.8 mmol C m -2 d -1 in September to -13.5 ± 5.8 mmol C m -2 d -1 in January, highlighting the heterotrophic character of SDB. In order to explain the net heterotrophy of this system, we postulate that phytoplankton-derived particulate organic matter, stimulated by upwelling processes in the adjacent coastal waters, is transported into the bay, retained and then remineralized within the system. Our results were compared with those reported for the heterotrophic hypersaline coastal lagoons located in the semi-arid coast of California-Baja California, and with those autotrophic hypersaline systems found in the semi-arid areas of Australia. We point out that the balance between autotrophy and heterotrophy in inverse estuaries is dependent on net external inputs of either inorganic nutrients or organic matter as it has been indicated for positive estuaries.

A one year post-fire biogeochemical cycling record of a sandstone mountain fynbos ecosystem, South Africa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bergh, E.; Compton, J. S.

2012-04-01

The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) in southwestern South Africa is a Mediterranean-type ecosystem dominated by highly diverse and endemic fynbos vegetation. In this study, the chemistry of rainwater (total wet and dry deposition), stream water and soil saturated paste extracts of the sandstone fynbos biome of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve reveals how the cycling of Cl, Na, SO4,Mg, Ca and K varied over a one year period following a major fire event. Fire is a critical component of fynbos ecology, but the fynbos ecosystem is under threat as the fire return frequency increases as a result of human activities. The underlying bedrock geology of the sandstone fynbos biome is dominated by quartz-rich (>97 wt% SiO2) sandstone providing few nutrients to the overlying thin (2 to 20 cm), acidic soils. Additional sources of nutrients to the ecosystem are derived from windblown marine and dust (consisting of minerals, organic matter and fire ash) aerosols. Rainout of marine aerosols decreases away from the coast. The delivery of marine aerosols (Cl, Na, SO4and Mg) corresponds with summer southerly winds from the ocean and windblown dust (SO4,Mg, Ca and K) is delivered through winter northerly winds from the continental interior. Remineralization of organic matter, dissolution of fire ash and chemical weathering of clay minerals derived from the bedrock and from windblown minerals provide additional sources of nutrients to the vegetation. Salts accumulated within and on top of soil surfaces during the dry summer period are washed into streams during the wet winter months. Afromontane forests occur within deep rocky ravines cut by mountain streams and are protected from fire. The afromontane vegetation did not burn during the fire and benefited from the release of nutrients but regrowth of fynbos on open burnt slopes was slow and most of the released nutrients were lost via streams. Fynbos regrowth largely reflected the hydrology of the study area and corresponded to the pre-fire distribution of biomass with relatively low biomass on mountain ridges and slopes in comparison to lower slopes and valley floors, particularly along stream banks. The removal of above ground plant biomass increased streamflow from the reduction in transpiration and rainfall interception by plants. Hydrophobicity in soils increased following the fire leading to partially burnt organic plant debris being washed down slope to accumulate on the lower slopes and stream valley floors. The geochemical results of this study provide insights on the climate-hydrology-soil interactions of the fynbos ecosystem and its unusually rich biodiversity. The resetting of the ecosystem every 20 to 40 years by fire and the interaction between atmospheric processes and hydrology likely enhances its long term survival.

Subcritical water extraction of organic matter from sedimentary rocks.

PubMed

Luong, Duy; Sephton, Mark A; Watson, Jonathan S

2015-06-16

Subcritical water extraction of organic matter containing sedimentary rocks at 300°C and 1500 psi produces extracts comparable to conventional solvent extraction. Subcritical water extraction of previously solvent extracted samples confirms that high molecular weight organic matter (kerogen) degradation is not occurring and that only low molecular weight organic matter (free compounds) are being accessed in analogy to solvent extraction procedures. The sedimentary rocks chosen for extraction span the classic geochemical organic matter types. A type I organic matter-containing sedimentary rock produces n-alkanes and isoprenoidal hydrocarbons at 300°C and 1500 psi that indicate an algal source for the organic matter. Extraction of a rock containing type II organic matter at the same temperature and pressure produces aliphatic hydrocarbons but also aromatic compounds reflecting the increased contributions from terrestrial organic matter in this sample. A type III organic matter-containing sample produces a range of non-polar and polar compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and oxygenated aromatic compounds at 300°C and 1500 psi reflecting a dominantly terrestrial origin for the organic materials. Although extraction at 300°C and 1500 psi produces extracts that are comparable to solvent extraction, lower temperature steps display differences related to organic solubility. The type I organic matter produces no products below 300°C and 1500 psi, reflecting its dominantly aliphatic character, while type II and type III organic matter contribute some polar components to the lower temperature steps, reflecting the chemical heterogeneity of their organic inventory. The separation of polar and non-polar organic compounds by using different temperatures provides the potential for selective extraction that may obviate the need for subsequent preparative chromatography steps. Our results indicate that subcritical water extraction can act as a suitable replacement for conventional solvent extraction of sedimentary rocks, but can also be used for any organic matter containing mineral matrix, including soils and recent sediments, and has the added benefit of tailored extraction for analytes of specific polarities. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterization of organic matter in lake sediments from Minnesota and Yellowstone National Park

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dean, Walter E.

2006-01-01

Samples of sediment from lakes in Minnesota and Yellowstone National Park (YNP) were analyzed for organic carbon (OC), hydrogen richness by Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and stable carbon- and nitrogen-isotope composition of bulk organic matter. Values of delta 13C of lake plankton tend to be around -28 to -32 parts per thousand (0/00). Organic matter with values of delta 13C in the high negative 20s overlap with those of organic matter derived from C3 higher terrestrial plants but are at least 10 0/00 more depleted in 13C than organic matter derived from C4 terrestrial plants. If the organic matter is produced mainly by photosynthetic plankton and is not oxidized in the water column, there may be a negative correlation between H-richness (Rock-Eval pyrolysis H-index) and delta 13C, with more H-rich, algal organic matter having lower values of delta 13C. However, if aquatic organic matter is oxidized in the water column, or if the organic matter is a mixture of terrestrial and aquatic organic matter, then there may be no correlation between H-richness and carbon-isotopic composition. Values of delta 13C lower than about -28 0/00 probably indicate a contribution of bacterial biomass produced in the hypolimnion by chemoautotrophy or methanotrophy. In highly eutrophic lakes in which large amounts of 13C-depleted organic matter is continually removed from the epilimnion by photosynthesis throughout the growing season, the entire carbon reservoir in the epilimnion may become severely 13C-enriched so that 13C-enriched photosynthetic organic matter may overprint 13C-depleted chemosynthetic bacterial organic matter produced in the hypolimnon. Most processes involved with the nitrogen cycle in lakes, such as production of ammonia and nitrate, tend to produce 15N-enriched values of delta 15N. Most Minnesota lake sediments are 15N-enriched. However, some of the more OC-rich sediments have delta 15N values close to zero (delta 15N of air), suggesting that organic matter production is by nitrogen fixation, which further implies that nitrogen is limiting. Most lakes from YNP also have values of delta 15N near zero.

Perchlorate-induced combustion of organic matter with variable molecular weights: Implications for Mars missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sephton, Mark A.; Lewis, James M. T.; Watson, Jonathan S.; Montgomery, Wren; Garnier, Carole

2014-11-01

Instruments on the Viking landers and Curiosity rover analyzed samples of Mars and detected carbon dioxide and organic compounds of uncertain origin. Mineral-assisted reactions are leading to uncertainty, particularly those involving perchlorate minerals which thermally decompose to produce chlorine and oxygen which can then react with organic matter to generate organochlorine compounds and carbon dioxide. Although generally considered a problem for interpretation, the release profiles of generated gases can indicate the type of organic matter present. We have performed a set of experiments with perchlorate and organic matter of variable molecular weights. Results indicate that organic susceptibility to thermal degradation and mineral-assisted reactions is related to molecular weight. Low molecular weight organic matter reacts at lower temperatures than its high molecular weight counterparts. The natural occurrence and association of organic matter with differing molecular weights helps to discriminate between contamination (usually low molecular weight organic matter only) and indigenous carbon (commonly low and high molecular weight organic matter together). Our results can be used to provide insights into data returning from Mars.

Influence of anoxic pore water dissolved organic matter on the fate and transport of hydrophobic organic pollutants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hunchak-Kariouk, K.

1992-01-01

Pore water dissolved organic matter is an overlooked pool of organic matter important to the environmental fate of hydrophobic organic pollutants. The association of polychlorinated biphenyls, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and chlorinated pesticides with pore water dissolved organic matter influences their distribution and mobility within the bottom sediment environment. Steep physical, biological and chemical gradients at the sediment/water interface isolate the pore water and create unique conditions within the sediment. This study indicates that any disturbance of this environment will alter the distribution and mobility of organic pollutants by changing their association to the pore water dissolved organic matter. A small volumemore » closed equilibration method was developed to measure the solubility enhancement of 2,2' 4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TeCB) by natural dissolved organic matter. Chemical coated micro-glass beads were equilibrated with anoxic and laboratory aerated (oxic) pore water samples in flame sealed ampules. The TeCB enhanced solubilities were used to determine the pore water dissolved organic matter partition coefficient, K[sub pwdom]. The measured TeCB solubility and K[sub pwdom] were much smaller for anoxic than oxic pore waters. The dissolved organic matter sorptive capacity for the TeCB increased as the water was aerated. This change is attributed to coagulative fractionation and structural changes of the pore water dissolved organic matter during aeration and was characterized by differences in the dissolved organic matter concentration, UV absorption at 254 nm, interfacial surface tension, and sorption capacity of molecular weight fractions of anoxic and oxic pore water dissolved organic matter. The increase in partitioning indicates that there will be an increase in the mobility of the TeCB as an anoxic bottom sediment environment is disturbed and aerated.« less

Impacts of heterogeneous organic matter on phenanthrene sorption--Equilibrium and kinetic studies with aquifer material

USGS Publications Warehouse

Karapanagioti, Hrissi K.; Kleineidam, Sybille; Sabatini, David A.; Grathwohl, Peter; Ligouis, Bertrand

2000-01-01

Sediment organic matter heterogeneity in sediments is shown to impact the sorption behavior of contaminants. We investigated the sorptive properties as well as the composition of organic matter in different subsamples (mainly grain size fractions) of the Canadian River Alluvium (CRA). Organic petrography was used as a new tool to describe and characterize the organic matter in the subsamples. The samples studied contained many different types of organic matter including bituminous coal particles. Differences in sorption behavior were explained based on these various types of organic matter. Subsamples containing predominately coaly, particulate organic matter showed the highest Koc, the highest nonlinearity of sorption isotherms and the slowest sorption kinetics. Soil subsamples with organic matter present as organic coatings around the quartz grains evidenced the lowest Koc, the most linear sorption isotherms and the fastest sorption kinetics, which was not limited by slow intraparticle diffusion. Due to the high sorption capacity of the coaly particles even when it is present as only a small fraction of the composite organic content (<3%) causes Koc values which are much higher than expected for soil organic matter (e.g. Koc − Kow relationships). The results show that the identification and quantification of the coaly particles within a sediment or soil sample is a prerequisite in order to understand or predict sorption behavior of organic pollutants.

Soil organic matter composition affected by potato cropping managements

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Organic matter is a small but important soil component. As a heterogeneous mixture of geomolecules and biomolecules, soil organic matter (SOM) can be fractionated into distinct pools with different solubility and lability. Water extractable organic matter (WEOM) fraction is the most labile and mobil...

Characterisation of the biodegradability of post-treated digestates via the chemical accessibility and complexity of organic matter.

PubMed

Maynaud, Géraldine; Druilhe, Céline; Daumoin, Mylène; Jimenez, Julie; Patureau, Dominique; Torrijos, Michel; Pourcher, Anne-Marie; Wéry, Nathalie

2017-05-01

The stability of digestate organic matter is a key parameter for its use in agriculture. Here, the organic matter stability was compared between 14 post-treated digestates and the relationship between organic matter complexity and biodegradability was highlighted. Respirometric activity and CH 4 yields in batch tests showed a positive linear correlation between both types of biodegradability (R 2 =0.8). The accessibility and complexity of organic matter were assessed using chemical extractions combined with fluorescence spectroscopy, and biodegradability was mostly anti-correlated with complexity of organic matter. Post-treatments presented a significant effect on the biodegradability and complexity of organic matter. Biodegradability was low for composted digestates which comprised slowly accessible complex molecules. Inversely, solid fractions obtained after phase separation contained a substantial part of remaining biodegradable organic matter with a significant easily accessible fraction comprising simpler molecules. Understanding the effect of post-treatment on the biodegradability of digestates should help to optimize their valorization. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Measuring organic matter in Everglades wetlands and the Everglades Agricultural Area

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wright, Alan L.; Hanlon, Edward A.

Here, organic matter is a complex material that represents the long-term decay products from plants and other organisms in the soil. When organic matter is allowed to build up in a soil, the soil color at the surface usually turns a darker color, often with a red or brown hue. Typically in Florida mineral soils, organic matter content is quite low, within the range of 1 to 5%. However, in some soils that remain flooded for most of the year, organic matter can build up with time and actually become the soil. Such is the case for the organic soils,more » or histosols, found in southern Florida. These organic soils comprise much of the Water Conservation Areas, Everglades National Park (ENP), Big Cypress Basin, and the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). It is important to document organic matter accumulation in the Everglades to gauge the effectiveness of wetland creation and succession. For the EAA, the drained soils lose organic matter due to oxidation, so measurement of the organic matter content of these soils over the course of time indicates the oxidation potential and mineral incorporation from bedrock. Due to the wide diversity of soil types and methods of measuring soil organic matter, there is a need to devise a more universal method applicable to many types of histosols in south Florida. The intent of this publication is: 1.To describe a simple laboratory method for determining the organic matter content of the organic soils of southern Florida and demonstrate the importance of using this new procedure for improved accuracy and precision; 2.To utilize this updated laboratory procedure for field sites across Everglades wetlands and the EAA; and 3. To recommend this procedure be used by growers, state and federal agencies, and university and agency researchers dealing with the management of organic soils in southern Florida. Growers can use this improvement to organic matter measurement to keep lab testing costs low while getting a better, more quantitative estimate of organic carbon (organic matter) for decisions regarding pesticide applications and estimated contribution of nutrients released from the organic matter in their fields. Restoration efforts in the Everglades wetlands can be better documented with the lower cost, but now equally as useful, LOI test for organic carbon. Improvements to soil organic matter coupled with other measurements of biological health of the system can be documented with less work using the adjusted LOI calculations.« less

Formulation of microemulsion propolis fluoride (PF) as varnish topical agent to stop activity of teeth caries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahlan, Muhamad; Prakoso, Chandra Dwi; Darwita, Risqa Rina; Hermansyah, Heri

2017-02-01

Topical fluoride is proven to have higher efficacy in preventing dental caries with low production cost and easy to apply. The objective of this research is to formulate alternative agent topical fluoride NH4F 5% mixed with extract ethanol propolis (EEP) in the micro-emulsion system that has high stability, antimicrobial activity, and remineralization capability to arrest teeth caries activity. By using total plate count (TPC) analysis, formulation 2.7% EEP; 6,3% surfactant; and 90,9% NH4F shows good perform to inhibit cariogenic bacteria development around 78-80%. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) result also showed that sample successfully remineralized enamel surface. In addition, sample showed good pH, flavonoid, and polyphenol stability for 40 days.

The caries environment: saliva, pellicle, diet, and hard tissue ultrastructure.

PubMed

Hara, Anderson T; Zero, Domenick T

2010-07-01

The pathogenicity of the dental biofilm is modified by salivary and dietary factors, as well as by the characteristics of the tooth structure. The composition of the acquired pellicle can modify the mineral homeostasis of the tooth surfaces and the attachment of bacteria for the development of the biofilm. The substitution of sucrose from the diet by other less cariogenic sugars and/or sugar substitutes can contribute to reducing the pathogenicity of the biofilm. Saliva clears, dilutes, neutralizes, and buffers acids produced by the biofilm. In addition, saliva provides the biofilm/tooth structure with Ca(2+) PO(4)(3-) and F(-) ions, which can positively affect the equilibrium between demineralization-remineralization toward the remineralization and modify the susceptibility of the tooth structure to caries progression. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of nutrient load on microbial activities within a seagrass-dominated ecosystem: Implications of changes in seagrass blue carbon.

PubMed

Liu, Songlin; Jiang, Zhijian; Wu, Yunchao; Zhang, Jingping; Arbi, Iman; Ye, Feng; Huang, Xiaoping; Macreadie, Peter Ian

2017-04-15

Nutrient loading is a leading cause of global seagrass decline, triggering shifts from seagrass- to macroalgal-dominance. Within seagrass meadows of Xincun Bay (South China Sea), we found that nutrient loading (due to fish farming) increased sediment microbial biomass and extracellular enzyme activity associated with carbon cycling (polyphenol oxidase, invertase and cellulase), with a corresponding decrease in percent sediment organic carbon (SOC), suggesting that nutrients primed microorganism and stimulated SOC remineralization. Surpisingly, however, the relative contribution of seagrass-derived carbon to bacteria (δ 13 C bacteria ) increased with nutrient loading, despite popular theory being that microbes switch to consuming macroalgae which are assumed to provide a more labile carbon source. Organic carbon sources of fungi were unaffected by nutrient loading. Overall, this study suggests that nutrient loading changes the relative contribution of seagrass and algal sources to SOC pools, boosting sediment microbial biomass and extracellular enzyme activity, thereby possibly changing seagrass blue carbon. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Climate change decouples oceanic primary and export productivity and organic carbon burial

PubMed Central

Lopes, Cristina; Kucera, Michal; Mix, Alan C.

2015-01-01

Understanding responses of oceanic primary productivity, carbon export, and burial to climate change is essential for model-based projection of biological feedbacks in a high-CO2 world. Here we compare estimates of productivity based on the composition of fossil diatom floras with organic carbon burial off Oregon in the Northeast Pacific across a large climatic transition at the last glacial termination. Although estimated primary productivity was highest during the Last Glacial Maximum, carbon burial was lowest, reflecting reduced preservation linked to low sedimentation rates. A diatom size index further points to a glacial decrease (and deglacial increase) in the fraction of fixed carbon that was exported, inferred to reflect expansion, and contraction, of subpolar ecosystems that today favor smaller plankton. Thus, in contrast to models that link remineralization of carbon to temperature, in the Northeast Pacific, we find dominant ecosystem and sea floor control such that intervals of warming climate had more efficient carbon export and higher carbon burial despite falling primary productivity. PMID:25453073

Microbial oxidation of lithospheric organic carbon in rapidly eroding tropical mountain soils.

PubMed

Hemingway, Jordon D; Hilton, Robert G; Hovius, Niels; Eglinton, Timothy I; Haghipour, Negar; Wacker, Lukas; Chen, Meng-Chiang; Galy, Valier V

2018-04-13

Lithospheric organic carbon ("petrogenic"; OC petro ) is oxidized during exhumation and subsequent erosion of mountain ranges. This process is a considerable source of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) to the atmosphere over geologic time scales, but the mechanisms that govern oxidation rates in mountain landscapes are poorly constrained. We demonstrate that, on average, 67 ± 11% of the OC petro initially present in bedrock exhumed from the tropical, rapidly eroding Central Range of Taiwan is oxidized in soils, leading to CO 2 emissions of 6.1 to 18.6 metric tons of carbon per square kilometer per year. The molecular and isotopic evolution of bulk OC and lipid biomarkers during soil formation reveals that OC petro remineralization is microbially mediated. Rapid oxidation in mountain soils drives CO 2 emission fluxes that increase with erosion rate, thereby counteracting CO 2 drawdown by silicate weathering and biospheric OC burial. Copyright © 2018 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

Evaluation of different fluoridated dentifrice formulations using an in situ erosion remineralization model.

PubMed

Barlow, A P; Sufi, F; Mason, S C

2009-01-01

The objective of these three clinical in situ studies was to investigate the relative performance of commercially available and experimental dentifrice formulations, having different fluoride sources and excipient ingredients, at remineralizing a bovine enamel surface previously softened by a dietary acid challenge. Each study utilized the same randomized, placebo-controlled, single-blind, crossover design. Subjects undertook single brushings of their natural teeth, with an in situ appliance in place, using different dentifrices in a randomly assigned order. Study A involved 58 subjects with the following dentifrices: Sensodyne Pronamel (1450 ppm F as NaF/5% KNO3); Blend-a-Med Classic (1450 ppm F as NaF); and a matched (Pronamel) placebo control (0 ppm F). Study B involved 56 subjects with the following dentifrices: Sensodyne Pronamel (1150 ppm F as NaF/5% KNO3); Crest Cavity Protection (1100 ppm F as NaF); Crest Pro-Health (0.454% SnF2 [1100 ppm F]/sodium hexametaphosphate); and a matched (Pronamel) placebo control (0 ppm F). Study C involved 56 subjects with the following dentifrices: Sensodyne Pronamel (1150 ppm F as NaF/5% KNO3); Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening (1150 ppm F as NaF/5% KNO3); Colgate Sensitive Multi Protection (1000 ppm F as NaMFP/5.53% potassium citrate/2% zinc citrate); and a matched (Pronamel) placebo control (0 ppm F). Subjects wore their palatal appliances holding eight bovine enamel blocks, previously exposed for 25 minutes to an in vitro erosive challenge with grapefruit juice, for the duration of the experiment. Five minutes after appliance insertion, subjects undertook a supervised, 90-second brush/rinse regimen with their assigned dentifrice. Surface microhardness (SMH) of the specimens was determined prior to the erosive challenge (baseline), after the in vitro erosive challenge, and were remeasured after four hours in situ remineralization following the tooth brushing event. Finally, SMH values were determined after a second in vitro erosive challenge at the end of the in situ remineralization period. Statistical analyses included ANOVA and pair-wise comparisons between treatments, testing at a 5% significance level. All three studies demonstrated significantly greater percent surface microhardness recovery (% SMHr) and percent relative erosion resistance (% RER) for dentifrices containing sodium fluoride compared to placebo controls. Overall, significantly greater % SMHr (p < 0.0001) was observed for Sensodyne Pronamel compared to Blend-a-Med Classic, Crest Pro-Health, and Colgate Sensitive Multi Protection dentifrices. Similarly, Sensodyne Pronamel delivered directionally better % RER vs. Blend-a-Med Classic (p = 0.0731), and significantly higher % RER vs. Crest Pro-Health (p = 0.0074) and Colgate Sensitive Multi Protection (p <0.0001). Crest Cavity Protection demonstrated significantly better % RER (p = 0.031) than Crest Pro-Health, which in turn demonstrated significantly better % RER than the placebo control (p < 0.0001). No other statistically significant between-product comparisons were observed. The results of these in situ studies support the effectiveness of dentifrices containing sodium fluoride to reharden enamel previously softened with an erosive challenge. Furthermore, these studies demonstrate the protective effects conferred to enamel, from erosion following the remineralization process in the presence of "ionic" fluoride. Under clinically relevant conditions, Sensodyne Pronamel and Sensodyne Pronamel Gentle Whitening offered superior anti-erosion performance compared to currently marketed dentifrice controls. These studies reinforce previous research indicating the importance of formulation effects on the relative remineralization performance of dentifrices under erosive conditions.

Organic matter dynamics in a karstic watershed: Example from Santa Fe River, Florida, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, J.; Khadka, M. B.; Martin, J. B.; Zimmerman, A. R.

2011-12-01

Organic matter (OM) dynamics in karstic watersheds can involve a range of interactions between organic and inorganic phases of carbon. These interactions include OM remineralization, which will changes its lability, increase dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations, reduce pH, and enhance carbonate mineral dissolution. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations are elevated in black-water rivers of northern Florida from both allochthonous and autochthonous sources and these rivers flow into and interact with the karstic Floridan Aquifer. One such river, the Santa Fe River, is split into upper confined and lower unconfined watersheds by the Cody Scarp, which represent the erosional edge of a regional confining unit. Water samples were collected from 8 sites across the entire Santa Fe River watershed (SFRW) during 9 sampling trips from December 2009 to May 2011 at flow conditions that ranged from 27 to 39 m3/s, with the highest flow about 45% higher than baseflow. At sites above the Cody Scarp, the river has elevated DOC concentrations, which decrease downstream, while dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and δ13C-DIC show opposite trends. At high flow, DOC concentrations progressively decrease downstream from dilution by low-DOC water discharging from the Floridan Aquifer. At low flow, the water chemistry varies little from upstream to downstream, largely because the composition of upstream water becomes similar to that of downstream water. DOC is inversely and linearly correlated with DIC and δ13C-DIC, but the slope of the correlations vary with discharge, with low flow having more negative slopes than high flow. The OM becomes more labile with distance downstream as assessed using two fluorescence indices, biological/autochthonous index (BIX) and humification index (HIX). This increase in lability suggests that DOC is produced in the river, and this production is reflected in a downstream increase in DOC flux regardless of dilution by the influx of low-DOC groundwater. Primary production was 5 to 25 times higher during high and low flow, respectively, in the lower than in the upper SFRW. No decrease in DOC with a concomitant increase in DIC was observed, however, suggesting observations of microbial consumption of OM is masked by primary production and gain of DIC-rich and DOC-poor groundwater. The upper SFRW has lower saturation index (SI; -2.9 and -0.7 for high and low flow, respectively) than the lower SFRW (0.0 and 0.3 for high and low flow, respectively). The downstream shift in SI reflects dissolution of the carbonate minerals and gain of water from the Floridan Aquifer that had equilibrated with carbonate minerals. OM dynamics in the SFRW are closely linked to the allochthonous OM derived from the upper SFRW, as well as primary production in the lower watershed. Both allochthonous and autochthonous OM can be important in abiotic processes such as carbonate mineral dissolution, but flow conditions mediate the magnitudes of the reactions.

Fungal community composition in soils subjected to long-term chemical fertilization is most influenced by the type of organic matter.

PubMed

Sun, Ruibo; Dsouza, Melissa; Gilbert, Jack A; Guo, Xisheng; Wang, Daozhong; Guo, Zhibin; Ni, Yingying; Chu, Haiyan

2016-12-01

Organic matter application is a widely used practice to increase soil carbon content and maintain soil fertility. However, little is known about the effect of different types of organic matter, or the input of exogenous species from these materials, on soil fungal communities. In this study, fungal community composition was characterized from soils amended with three types of organic matter over a 30-year fertilization experiment. Chemical fertilization significantly changed soil fungal community composition and structure, which was exacerbated by the addition of organic matter, with the direction of change influenced by the type of organic matter used. The addition of organic matter significantly increased soil fungal richness, with the greatest richness achieved in soils amended with pig manure. Importantly, following addition of cow and pig manure, fungal taxa associated with these materials could be found in the soil, suggesting that these exogenous species can augment soil fungal composition. Moreover, the addition of organic matter decreased the relative abundance of potential pathogenic fungi. Overall, these results indicate that organic matter addition influences the composition and structure of soil fungal communities in predictable ways. © 2016 Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Research Highlight: Water-extractable organic matter from sandy loam soils

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Labile organic matter plays important roles in soil health and nutrient cycling because of its dynamic nature. Water-extractable organic matter is part of the soil labile organic matter. In an article recently published in Agricultural & Environmental Letters, researchers report on the level and na...

Enhancement of the natural organic matter removal from drinking water by nanofiltration.

PubMed

Matilainen, A; Liikanen, R; Nyström, M; Lindqvist, N; Tuhkanen, T

2004-03-01

Finnish surface waters are abundant in natural organic matter. Natural organic matter can be removed from drinking water in a water treatment process by coagulation and filtration. The standard treatment operations are not able to remove the smallest molar mass fraction of organic matter and the intermediate molar mass matter is only partly removed. The removal of residual natural organic matter from drinking water by nanofiltration was evalueted in this study. Three different nanofiltration membranes were compared in filtering six pre-treated surface waters. The total organic carbon content of the feed waters varied from 2.0 to 4.2 mg l(-1). Other water quality parameters measured were conductivity, alkalinity, hardness, UV-absorbance, SUVA, E2/E3 value and molecular size distribution by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography. The natural organic matter removal efficiencies of the membranes were good and varied between 100% and 49%, and between 85% and 47% according to molecular size distribution and total organic carbon measurements, respectively. Removal of different molecular size fractions varied from 100% to 56%, 100% to 54% and 88% to 19%, regarding high molar mass, intermediate molar mass and low molar mass organic matter, respectively. The Desal-5 DL membrane produced the highest natural organic matter removals.

The reactivity of plant-derived organic matter and the potential importance of priming effects along the lower Amazon River

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ward, Nicholas D.; Bianchi, Thomas S.; Sawakuchi, Henrique O.; Gagne-Maynard, William; Cunha, Alan C.; Brito, Daimio C.; Neu, Vania; de Matos Valerio, Aline; da Silva, Rodrigo; Krusche, Alex V.; Richey, Jeffrey E.; Keil, Richard G.

2016-06-01

Here we present direct measurements of the biological breakdown of 13C-labeled substrates to CO2 at seven locations along the lower Amazon River, from Óbidos to the mouth. Dark incubation experiments were performed at high and low water periods using vanillin, a lignin phenol derived from vascular plants, and at the high water period using four different 13C-labeled plant litter leachates. Leachates derived from oak wood were degraded most slowly with vanillin monomers, macrophyte leaves, macrophyte stems, and whole grass leachates being converted to CO2 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, and 2.3 times faster, respectively, at the upstream boundary, Óbidos. Relative to Óbidos, the sum degradation rate of all four leachates was 3.3 and 2.6 times faster in the algae-rich Tapajós and Xingu Rivers, respectively. Likewise, the leachates were broken down 3.2 times more quickly at Óbidos when algal biomass from the Tapajós River was simultaneously added. Leachate reactivity similarly increased from Óbidos to the mouth with leachates breaking down 1.7 times more quickly at Almeirim (midway to the mouth) and 2.8 times more quickly across the river mouth. There was no discernible correlation between in situ nutrient levels and remineralization rates, suggesting that priming effects were an important factor controlling reactivity along the continuum. Further, continuous measurements of CO2, O2, and conductivity along the confluence of the Tapajós and Amazon Rivers and the Xingu and Jarauçu Rivers revealed in situ evidence for enhanced O2 drawdown and CO2 production along the mixing zone of these confluences.

Loss of Rare Fish Species from Tropical Floodplain Food Webs Affects Community Structure and Ecosystem Multifunctionality in a Mesocosm Experiment

PubMed Central

Pendleton, Richard M.; Hoeinghaus, David J.; Gomes, Luiz C.; Agostinho, Angelo A.

2014-01-01

Experiments with realistic scenarios of species loss from multitrophic ecosystems may improve insight into how biodiversity affects ecosystem functioning. Using 1000 L mesocoms, we examined effects of nonrandom species loss on community structure and ecosystem functioning of experimental food webs based on multitrophic tropical floodplain lagoon ecosystems. Realistic biodiversity scenarios were developed based on long-term field surveys, and experimental assemblages replicated sequential loss of rare species which occurred across all trophic levels of these complex food webs. Response variables represented multiple components of ecosystem functioning, including nutrient cycling, primary and secondary production, organic matter accumulation and whole ecosystem metabolism. Species richness significantly affected ecosystem function, even after statistically controlling for potentially confounding factors such as total biomass and direct trophic interactions. Overall, loss of rare species was generally associated with lower nutrient concentrations, phytoplankton and zooplankton densities, and whole ecosystem metabolism when compared with more diverse assemblages. This pattern was also observed for overall ecosystem multifunctionality, a combined metric representing the ability of an ecosystem to simultaneously maintain multiple functions. One key exception was attributed to time-dependent effects of intraguild predation, which initially increased values for most ecosystem response variables, but resulted in decreases over time likely due to reduced nutrient remineralization by surviving predators. At the same time, loss of species did not result in strong trophic cascades, possibly a result of compensation and complexity of these multitrophic ecosystems along with a dominance of bottom-up effects. Our results indicate that although rare species may comprise minor components of communities, their loss can have profound ecosystem consequences across multiple trophic levels due to a combination of direct and indirect effects in diverse multitrophic ecosystems. PMID:24416246

Effects of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) removal on shallow-water sediments in Fiji.

PubMed

Lee, Steven; Ford, Amanda K; Mangubhai, Sangeeta; Wild, Christian; Ferse, Sebastian C A

2018-01-01

Sea cucumbers play an important role in the recycling and remineralization of organic matter (OM) in reef sands through feeding, excretion, and bioturbation processes. Growing demand from Asian markets has driven the overexploitation of these animals globally. The implications of sea cucumber fisheries for shallow coastal ecosystems and their management remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, the current study manipulated densities of Holothuria scabra within enclosures on a reef flat in Fiji, between August 2015 and February 2016, to study the effects of sea cucumber removal on sedimentary function as a biocatalytic filter system. Three treatments were investigated: (i) high density (350 g m -2 wet weight; ca . 15 individuals); (ii) natural density (60 g m -2 ; ca . 3 individuals); and (iii) exclusion (0 g m -2 ). Quantity of sediment reworked through ingestion by H. scabra , grain size distribution, O 2 penetration depth, and sedimentary oxygen consumption (SOC) were quantified within each treatment. Findings revealed that the natural population of H. scabra at the study site can rework ca . 10,590 kg dry sediment 1,000 m -2 year -1 ; more than twice the turnover rate recorded for H. atra and Stichopus chloronotus . There was a shift towards finer fraction grains in the high treatment. In the exclusion treatment, the O 2 penetration depth decreased by 63% following a 6 °C increase in water temperature over the course of two months, while in the high treatment no such change was observed. SOC rates increased ca . two-fold in the exclusion treatment within the first month, and were consistently higher than in the high treatment. These results suggest that the removal of sea cucumbers can reduce the capacity of sediments to buffer OM pulses, impeding the function and productivity of shallow coastal ecosystems.

Effects of sandfish (Holothuria scabra) removal on shallow-water sediments in Fiji

PubMed Central

Ford, Amanda K.; Mangubhai, Sangeeta; Wild, Christian; Ferse, Sebastian C.A.

2018-01-01

Sea cucumbers play an important role in the recycling and remineralization of organic matter (OM) in reef sands through feeding, excretion, and bioturbation processes. Growing demand from Asian markets has driven the overexploitation of these animals globally. The implications of sea cucumber fisheries for shallow coastal ecosystems and their management remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, the current study manipulated densities of Holothuria scabra within enclosures on a reef flat in Fiji, between August 2015 and February 2016, to study the effects of sea cucumber removal on sedimentary function as a biocatalytic filter system. Three treatments were investigated: (i) high density (350 g m−2 wet weight; ca. 15 individuals); (ii) natural density (60 g m−2; ca. 3 individuals); and (iii) exclusion (0 g m−2). Quantity of sediment reworked through ingestion by H. scabra, grain size distribution, O2 penetration depth, and sedimentary oxygen consumption (SOC) were quantified within each treatment. Findings revealed that the natural population of H. scabra at the study site can rework ca. 10,590 kg dry sediment 1,000 m−2 year−1; more than twice the turnover rate recorded for H. atra and Stichopus chloronotus. There was a shift towards finer fraction grains in the high treatment. In the exclusion treatment, the O2 penetration depth decreased by 63% following a 6 °C increase in water temperature over the course of two months, while in the high treatment no such change was observed. SOC rates increased ca. two-fold in the exclusion treatment within the first month, and were consistently higher than in the high treatment. These results suggest that the removal of sea cucumbers can reduce the capacity of sediments to buffer OM pulses, impeding the function and productivity of shallow coastal ecosystems. PMID:29796344

Comparison of two approaches to quantify anthropogenic CO2 in the ocean: Results from the northern Indian Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coatanoan, C.; Goyet, C.; Gruber, N.; Sabine, C. L.; Warner, M.

2001-03-01

This study compares two recent estimates of anthropogenic CO2 in the northern Indian Ocean along the World Ocean Circulation Experiment cruise II [Goyet et al., 1999; Sabine et al., 1999]. These two studies employed two different approaches to separate the anthropogenic CO2 signal from the large natural background variability. Sabine et al. [1999] used the ΔC* approach first described by Gruber et al. [1996], whereas Goyet et al. [1999] used an optimum multiparameter mixing analysis referred to as the MIX approach. Both approaches make use of similar assumptions in order to remove variations due to remineralization of organic matter and the dissolution of calcium carbonates (biological pumps). However, the two approaches use very different hypotheses in order to account for variations due to physical processes including mixing and the CO2 solubility pump. Consequently, substantial differences exist in the upper thermocline approximately between 200 and 600 m. Anthropogenic CO2 concentrations estimated using the ΔC* approach average 12 ± 4 μmol kg-1 higher in this depth range than concentrations estimated using the MIX approach. Below ˜800 m, the MIX approach estimates slightly higher anthropogenic CO2 concentrations and a deeper vertical penetration. Despite this compensatory effect, water column inventories estimated in the 0-3000 m depth range by the ΔC* approach are generally ˜20% higher than those estimated by the MIX approach, with this difference being statistically significant beyond the 0.001 level. We examine possible causes for these differences and identify a number of critical additional measurements that will make it possible to discriminate better between the two approaches.

Distribution of dissolved manganese in the Peruvian Upwelling and Oxygen Minimum Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vedamati, Jagruti; Chan, Catherine; Moffett, James W.

2015-05-01

The geochemistry of manganese (Mn) in seawater is dominated by its redox chemistry, as Mn(II) is soluble and Mn(IV) forms insoluble oxides, and redox transformations are mediated by a variety of processes in the oceans. Dissolved Mn (DMn) accumulates under reducing conditions and is depleted under oxidizing conditions. Thus the Peruvian upwelling region, characterized by highly reducing conditions over a broad continental shelf and a major oxygen minimum zone extending far offshore, is potentially a large source of Mn to the eastern Tropical South Pacific. In this study, DMn was determined on cruises in October 2005 and February 2010 in the Peruvian Upwelling and Oxygen Minimum Zone, to evaluate the relationship between Mn, oxygen and nitrogen cycle processes. DMn concentrations were determined using simple dilution and matrix-matched external standardization inductively coupled mass spectrometry. Surprisingly, DMn was depleted under the most reducing conditions along the Peruvian shelf. Concentrations of dissolved Mn in surface waters increased offshore, indicating that advection of Mn offshore from the Peruvian shelf is a minor source. Subsurface Mn maxima were observed within the oxycline rather than within the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ), indicating they arise from remineralization of organic matter rather than reduction of Mn oxides. The distribution of DMn appears to be dominated by non-redox processes and inputs from the atmosphere and from other regions associated with specific water masses. Lower than expected DMn concentrations on the shelf probably reflect limited fluvial inputs from the continent and efficient offshore transport. This behavior is in stark contrast to Fe, reported in a companion study which is very high on the shelf and undergoes dynamic redox cycling.

Patterns of extracellular enzyme activities and microbial metabolism in an Arctic fjord of Svalbard and in the northern Gulf of Mexico: contrasts in carbon processing by pelagic microbial communities

PubMed Central

Arnosti, Carol; Steen, Andrew D.

2013-01-01

The microbial community composition of polar and temperate ocean waters differs substantially, but the potential functional consequences of these differences are largely unexplored. We measured bacterial production, glucose metabolism, and the abilities of microbial communities to hydrolyze a range of polysaccharides in an Arctic fjord of Svalbard (Smeerenburg Fjord), and thus to initiate remineralization of high-molecular weight organic matter. We compared these data with similar measurements previously carried out in the northern Gulf of Mexico in order to investigate whether differences in the spectrum of enzyme activities measurable in Arctic and temperate environments are reflected in “downstream” aspects of microbial metabolism (metabolism of monomers and biomass production). Only four of six polysaccharide substrates were hydrolyzed in Smeerenburg Fjord; all were hydrolyzed in the upper water column of the Gulf. These patterns are consistent on an interannual basis. Bacterial protein production was comparable at both locations, but the pathways of glucose utilization differed. Glucose incorporation rate constants were comparatively higher in Svalbard, but glucose respiration rate constants were higher in surface waters of the Gulf. As a result, at the time of sampling ca. 75% of the glucose was incorporated into biomass in Svalbard, but in the northern Gulf of Mexico most of the glucose was respired to CO2. A limited range of enzyme activities is therefore not a sign of a dormant community or one unable to further process substrates resulting from extracellular enzymatic hydrolysis. The ultimate fate of carbohydrates in marine waters, however, is strongly dependent upon the specific capabilities of heterotrophic microbial communities in these disparate environments. PMID:24198812

Carbon isotope evidence for a vigorous biological pump in the wake of end-Permian mass extinction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer, K. M.; Yu, M.; Jost, A. B.; Payne, J.

2009-12-01

Ocean anoxia and euxinia have long been linked to the end-Permian mass extinction and the subsequent Early Triassic interval of delayed biotic recovery. This anoxic, sulfidic episode has been ascribed to both low- and high-productivity states in the marine water column, leaving the causes of euxinia and the mechanisms underlying delayed recovery poorly understood. To examine the nature of the end-Permian and Early Triassic biological production, we measured the carbon isotopic composition of carbonates from an exceptionally preserved carbonate platform in the Nanpanjiang Basin of south China. 13C of limestones from 5 stratigraphic sections displays a gradient of approximately 4‰ from shallow to deep water within the Lower Triassic. The limestones are systematically enriched in the platform interior relative to coeval slope and basin margin deposits by 2-4‰ at the peaks of correlative positive and negative δ13C excursions. This gradient subsequently collapses to less than 1‰ in the Middle Triassic, coincident with accelerated biotic recovery and cessation of δ13C excursions. Based on the relationship between δ18O and δ13C, trace metal analyses, and lithostratigraphic context, we conclude that the carbon isotope gradient is unlikely to reflect meteoric diagenesis, organic matter remineralization, or changes in the mixing ratio of sediment sources and minerals across the platform. Instead, we interpret the relatively depleted δ13C values toward the basin as reflecting DIC input from 13C-depleted deep waters during early diagenesis in a nutrient-rich, euxinic ocean. These observations suggest that a vigorous prokaryote-driven biological pump sustained Early Triassic ocean anoxia and inhibited recovery of animal ecosystems.

Reactive iron and manganese in estuarine sediments of the Baltic Sea: Impacts of flocculation and redox shuttling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jilbert, Tom; Tiihonen, Rosa; Myllykangas, Jukka-Pekka; Asmala, Eero; Hietanen, Susanna

2016-04-01

Iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) play important roles in sedimentary carbon cycling in both freshwater and marine systems. Dissimilatory reduction of Fe and Mn oxides is known to be a major pathway of suboxic organic matter remineralization in surface sediments, while recent studies have shown that Fe and Mn oxides may be involved in the anaerobic oxidation of methane deeper in the sediment column (e.g., Egger et al., 2015). Estuaries are transitional environments, characterized by gradients of salinity and redox conditions which impact on the mobility of Fe and Mn. In turn, the distribution of Fe and Mn in estuarine sediments, and the role of the two metals in carbon cycling, is expected to be spatially heterogeneous. However, few studies have attempted to describe the sedimentary distribution of Fe and Mn in the context of processes occurring in the estuarine water column. In particular, salinity-driven flocculation and redox shuttling are two key processes whose relative impacts on sedimentary Fe and Mn have not been clearly demonstrated. In this study we investigated the coupled water column and sedimentary cycling of Fe and Mn along a 60km non-tidal estuarine transect in the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea. We show that riverine Fe entering the estuary as colloidal oxides associated with dissolved organic matter (DOM) is quickly flocculated and sedimented within 5 km of the river mouth, despite the shallow lateral salinity gradient. Sediments within this range are enriched in Fe (up to twice the regional average), principally in the form of crystalline Fe oxides as determined by sequential extractions. The high crystallinity implies relative maturity of the oxide mineralogy, likely due to sustained oxic conditions and long residence time in the river catchment. Despite the reducing conditions below the sediment-water interface, Fe is largely retained in the sediments close to the river mouth. In contrast, sedimentary Mn concentrations are highest in a deep silled basin more than 10km downstream. Throughout the estuary, Mn oxides are reductively dissolved shallower in the sediment column than Fe oxides, resulting in strong effluxes of dissolved Mn from the sediments. Subsequent oxidation of bottom water dissolved Mn to particulate oxides and lateral transport ("redox shuttling") account for the sedimentary Mn enrichments in the deep silled basin. Porewater data suggest that the heterogeneity of Fe and Mn availability in the estuarine sediments may influence the relative importance of the two metals for anaerobic oxidation of methane. Egger, M. et al., Environmental Science and Technology 49(1), 277-283, 2015.

Characterization and source identification of organic matter in view of land uses and heavy rainfall in the Lake Shihwa, Korea.

PubMed

Lee, Yeonjung; Hur, Jin; Shin, Kyung-Hoon

2014-07-15

The characteristics and sources of organic matter in water of the Lake Shihwa, which receives inputs from rural, urban, and industrial areas, were evaluated by examining the biodegradable organic carbon concentration, fluorescence spectra, and carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios, especially during rainy season and dry season. The organic matter transported from rural areas was of refractory nature, while that of industrial origin decomposed rapidly. As compared to the dry season, the organic matter in the rainy season was characterized by a reduced labile fraction. During the dry season, the autochthonous organic matter dominated in the lake, however, the contributions of allochthonous organic sources by industrial and rural areas significantly increased at rainy season. This investigation revealed that the transport of organic matter of anthropogenic origin to the Lake Shihwa was mainly influenced by heavy rainfall. Moreover, each anthropogenic source could differently influence the occurrence of organic matter in water of the Lake Shihwa. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Adsorption of natural dissolved organic matter at the oxide/water interface

USGS Publications Warehouse

Davis, James A.

1982-01-01

Natural organic matter is readily adsorbed by alumina and kaolinite in the pH range of natural waters. Adsorption occurs by complex formation between surface hydroxyls and the acidic functional groups of the organic matter. Oxides with relatively acidic surface hydroxyls, e.g. silica, do not react strongly with the organic matter. Under conditions typical for natural waters, almost complete surface coverage by adsorbed organic matter may be expected for alumina, hydrous iron oxides and the edge sites of aluminosilicates. Potentiometric titration and electrophoresis indicate that most of the acidic functional groups of the adsorbed organic matter are neutralized by protons from solution. The organic coating is expected to have a great influence on subsequent adsorption of inorganic cations and anions.

Organic matter degradation in surface sediments of the Changjiang estuary: Evidence from amino acids.

PubMed

Wang, Kui; Chen, Jianfang; Jin, Haiyan; Li, Hongliang; Zhang, Weiyan

2018-05-12

Organic matter degradation is a key component of the processes of carbon preservation and burial in seafloor sediments. The aim of this study was to explore organic matter degradation state within the open-shelf Changjiang Estuary of the East China Sea, using an amino acids-based degradation index (DI) in conjunction with information about organic matter source (marine versus terrestrial), bottom water oxygenation state, and sediment grain size. The relative molar percentages of 17 individual amino acids (characterized using principal component analysis) in surface sediments indicate that organic matter is degraded to varying extents across the estuary seabed. Sediments with DI >0 (relatively labile) were found mostly within a coastal hypoxic area. Sediments of DI less than -1 (relatively refractory) were found near the Changjiang River mouth and the northern and southern parts of the central shelf. We consider DI to be a more reliable indicator of degradation than simple ratios of AAs. DI was inversely correlated with the proportion of terrestrial organic material (F t ) in the sediments, indicating that relatively fresh/labile organic matter was generally associated with marine sources. DI was significantly correlated with F t and bottom water apparent oxygen utilization (AOU bot ) together. The parameter DI and the (labile) amino acid tyrosine were highest in hypoxic areas, suggesting the presence of relatively fresh organic matter, probably due to a combination of marine-source inputs and better preservation of organic matter in the silt and clay sediments of these areas (as compared to sandy sediments). Less degraded organic matter with high amino acids was also favorable to benthic animals. Overall, sedimentary estuarine organic matter was least degraded in areas characterized by marine sources of organic matter, low-oxygen conditions, and fine-grained sediments. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Case Against Charge Transfer Interactions in Dissolved Organic Matter Optical Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKay, G.; Korak, J.; Erickson, P. R.; Latch, D. E.; McNeill, K.; Rosario-Ortiz, F.

2017-12-01

The optical properties of dissolved organic matter influence chemical and biological processes in all aquatic ecosystems. Organic matter optical properties have been used by scientists and engineers for decades for remote sensing, in situ monitoring, and characterizing laboratory samples to track dissolved organic carbon concentration and character. However, there is still a lack of understanding of the origin of organic matter optical properties, which could conflict with other empirical fluorescence interpretation methods (e.g. PARAFAC). Organic matter optical properties have been attributed to a charge-transfer model in which donor-acceptor complexes play a primary role. This model was evaluated by measuring the absorbance and fluorescence response of organic matter isolates to perturbations in solvent temperature, viscosity, and polarity, which affect the position and intensity of spectra for known donor-acceptor complexes of organic molecules. Absorbance and fluorescence spectral shape were unaffected by these perturbations, indicating that the distribution of absorbing and emitting species was unchanged. These results call into question the wide applicability of the charge-transfer model for explaining organic matter optical properties and suggest that future research should explore other models for organic matter photophysics.

Influence of Multiple Environmental Factors on Organic Matter Chlorination in Podsol Soil.

PubMed

Svensson, Teresia; Montelius, Malin; Andersson, Malin; Lindberg, Cecilia; Reyier, Henrik; Rietz, Karolina; Danielsson, Åsa; Bastviken, David

2017-12-19

Natural chlorination of organic matter is common in soils. The abundance of chlorinated organic compounds frequently exceeds chloride in surface soils, and the ability to chlorinate soil organic matter (SOM) appears widespread among microorganisms. Yet, the environmental control of chlorination is unclear. Laboratory incubations with 36 Cl as a Cl tracer were performed to test how combinations of environmental factors, including levels of soil moisture, nitrate, chloride, and labile organic carbon, influenced chlorination of SOM from a boreal forest. Total chlorination was hampered by addition of nitrate or by nitrate in combination with water but enhanced by addition of chloride or most additions including labile organic matter (glucose and maltose). The greatest chlorination was observed after 15 days when nitrate and water were added together with labile organic matter. The effect that labile organic matter strongly stimulated the chlorination rates was confirmed by a second independent experiment showing higher stimulation at increased availability of labile organic matter. Our results highlight cause-effect links between chlorination and the studied environmental variables in podsol soil-with consistent stimulation by labile organic matter that did overrule the negative effects of nitrate.

Minimally Invasive Dentistry

MedlinePlus

... geta poker friv Home InfoBites Find an AGD Dentist Your Family's Oral Health About the AGD Dental ... structure. It focuses on prevention, remineralization, and minimal dentist intervention. Using scientific advances, minimally invasive dentistry allows ...

Stable carbon isotope cycling in mobile coastal muds of Amapá, Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Zhongbin; Aller, Robert C.; Mak, John

2002-10-01

Approximately 10% of the sediment delivered by the Amazon River moves northwest along the coast of Amapá, Brazil, initiating the Guianas mobile mud belt. Amapá coastal muds generally have a two-layer transport structure and are characterized by highly non-steady-state sedimentation. Isotopic compositions of pore water ∑CO 2 and solid phase C org demonstrate that remineralization in the surficial mobile zone (˜0.3-1 m thick) is dominated by terrestrial sources at sites in proximity to the mangrove fringe (˜1-2 m water depth), and marine (plus possible carbonate dissolution) sources further offshore (˜21 km, ˜7 m depth). The net δ13C of ∑CO 2 produced and C org remineralized is ˜-26‰ and -25.9‰, respectively inshore, and ˜-14‰ and -18.6‰, respectively offshore (compared to average terrestrial and marine C org end members of -28‰ and -20‰). Efficient remineralization in the suboxic mobile zone lowers particle surface loading of C org from ˜0.35 mg C m -2 in the Amazon delta topset to ˜0.13-0.16 along Amapá. Sequential, temperature-dependent extractions were used to operationally fractionate inorganic C pools. Authigenic carbonates, mostly siderite and mixed Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn-carbonates, dominate sediment inorganic C (˜50-200 μmol g -1). The mass weighted δ13C of carbonates, ˜-15‰ to -19‰, is relatively restricted in range compared to pore water ∑CO 2, implying most precipitation in the reactive mobile surface sediments. Periodic mixing with bottom seawater and/or dissolution of biogenic carbonates in the surficial layer shift δ13C values of pore water to heavier values than C org reactant sources. At one offshore site (˜7 m), about 22% of pore water ∑CO 2 has undergone reduction during methanogenesis below the mobile surface zone, extracting ∑CO 2 with δ13C˜-90‰ and leaving a residual δ13C˜-0.37‰. Diagenetic processes in the suboxic mobile mud zone dominate C remineralization and storage along the coast of Amapá.

Deformation behaviors of peat with influence of organic matter.

PubMed

Yang, Min; Liu, Kan

2016-01-01

Peat is a kind of special material rich in organic matter. Because of the high content of organic matter, it shows different deformation behaviors from conventional geotechnical materials. Peat grain has a non-negligible compressibility due to the presence of organic matter. Biogas can generate from peat and can be trapped in form of gas bubbles. Considering the natural properties of peat, a special three-phase composition of peat is described which indicates the existence of organic matter and gas bubbles in peat. A stress-strain-time model is proposed for the compression of organic matter, and the surface tension effect is considered in the compression model of gas bubbles. Finally, a mathematical model has been developed to simulate the deformation behavior of peat considering the compressibility of organic matter and entrapped gas bubbles. The deformation process is the coupling of volume variation of organic matter, gas bubbles and water drainage. The proposed model is used to simulate a series of peat laboratory oedometer tests, and the model can well capture the test results with reasonable model parameters. Effects of model parameters on deformation of peat are also analyzed.

What is soil organic matter worth?

PubMed

Sparling, G P; Wheeler, D; Vesely, E-T; Schipper, L A

2006-01-01

The conservation and restoration of soil organic matter are often advocated because of the generally beneficial effects on soil attributes for plant growth and crop production. More recently, organic matter has become important as a terrestrial sink and store for C and N. We have attempted to derive a monetary value of soil organic matter for crop production and storage functions in three contrasting New Zealand soil orders (Gley, Melanic, and Granular Soils). Soil chemical and physical characteristics of real-life examples of three pairs of matched soils with low organic matter contents (after long-term continuous cropping for vegetables or maize) or high organic matter content (continuous pasture) were used as input data for a pasture (grass-clover) production model. The differences in pasture dry matter yields (non-irrigated) were calculated for three climate scenarios (wet, dry, and average years) and the yields converted to an equivalent weight and financial value of milk solids. We also estimated the hypothetical value of the C and N sequestered during the recovery phase of the low organic matter content soils assuming trading with C and N credits. For all three soil orders, and for the three climate scenarios, pasture dry matter yields were decreased in the soils with lower organic matter contents. The extra organic matter in the high C soils was estimated to be worth NZ$27 to NZ$150 ha(-1) yr(-1) in terms of increased milk solids production. The decreased yields from the previously cropped soils were predicted to persist for 36 to 125 yr, but with declining effect as organic matter gradually recovered, giving an accumulated loss in pastoral production worth around NZ$518 to NZ$1239 ha(-1). This was 42 to 73 times lower than the hypothetical value of the organic matter as a sequestering agent for C and N, which varied between NZ$22,963 to NZ$90,849 depending on the soil, region, discount rates, and values used for carbon and nitrogen credits.

Influence of organic matter on the transport of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in a ferric oxyhydroxide-coated quartz sand saturated porous medium

USGS Publications Warehouse

Abudalo, R.A.; Ryan, J.N.; Harvey, R.W.; Metge, D.W.; Landkamer, Lee L.

2010-01-01

To assess the effect of organic matter on the transport of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in a geochemically heterogeneous saturated porous medium, we measured the breakthrough and collision efficiencies of oocysts as a function of dissolved organic matter concentration in a flow-through column containing ferric oxyhydroxide-coated sand. We characterized the surface properties of the oocysts and ferric oxyhydroxide-coated sand using microelectrophoresis and streaming potential, respectively, and the amount of organic matter adsorbed on the ferric oxyhydroxide-coated sand as a function of the concentration of dissolved organic matter (a fulvic acid isolated from Florida Everglades water). The dissolved organic matter had no significant effect on the zeta potential of the oocysts. Low concentrations of dissolved organic matter were responsible for reversing the charge of the ferric oxyhydroxide-coated sand surface from positive to negative. The charge reversal and accumulation of negative charge on the ferric oxyhydroxide-coated sand led to increases in oocyst breakthrough and decreases in oocyst collision efficiency with increasing dissolved organic matter concentration. The increase in dissolved organic matter concentration from 0 to 20 mg L-1 resulted in a two-fold decrease in the collision efficiency. ?? 2009 Elsevier Ltd.

The contentious nature of soil organic matter.

PubMed

Lehmann, Johannes; Kleber, Markus

2015-12-03

The exchange of nutrients, energy and carbon between soil organic matter, the soil environment, aquatic systems and the atmosphere is important for agricultural productivity, water quality and climate. Long-standing theory suggests that soil organic matter is composed of inherently stable and chemically unique compounds. Here we argue that the available evidence does not support the formation of large-molecular-size and persistent 'humic substances' in soils. Instead, soil organic matter is a continuum of progressively decomposing organic compounds. We discuss implications of this view of the nature of soil organic matter for aquatic health, soil carbon-climate interactions and land management.

Quantifying the degradation of organic matter in marine sediments: A review and synthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arndt, Sandra; Jørgensen, B. B.; LaRowe, D. E.; Middelburg, J. J.; Pancost, R. D.; Regnier, P.

2013-08-01

Quantifying the rates of biogeochemical processes in marine sediments is essential for understanding global element cycles and climate change. Because organic matter degradation is the engine behind benthic dynamics, deciphering the impact that various forces have on this process is central to determining the evolution of the Earth system. Therefore, recent developments in the quantitative modeling of organic matter degradation in marine sediments are critically reviewed. The first part of the review synthesizes the main chemical, biological and physical factors that control organic matter degradation in sediments while the second part provides a general review of the mathematical formulations used to model these processes and the third part evaluates their application over different spatial and temporal scales. Key transport mechanisms in sedimentary environments are summarized and the mathematical formulation of the organic matter degradation rate law is described in detail. The roles of enzyme kinetics, bioenergetics, temperature and biomass growth in particular are highlighted. Alternative model approaches that quantify the degradation rate constant are also critically compared. In the third part of the review, the capability of different model approaches to extrapolate organic matter degradation rates over a broad range of temporal and spatial scales is assessed. In addition, the structure, functions and parameterization of more than 250 published models of organic matter degradation in marine sediments are analyzed. The large range of published model parameters illustrates the complex nature of organic matter dynamics, and, thus, the limited transferability of these parameters from one site to another. Compiled model parameters do not reveal a statistically significant correlation with single environmental characteristics such as water depth, deposition rate or organic matter flux. The lack of a generic framework that allows for model parameters to be constrained in data-poor areas seriously limits the quantification of organic matter degradation on a global scale. Therefore, we explore regional patterns that emerge from the compiled more than 250 organic matter rate constants and critically discuss them in their environmental context. This review provides an interdisciplinary view on organic matter degradation in marine sediments. It contributes to an improved understanding of global patterns in benthic organic matter degradation, and helps identify outstanding questions and future directions in the modeling of organic matter degradation in marine sediments.

Defining organic matter quality in sediment systems: a suggested classification scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alderson, Danielle; Evans, Martin; Rothwell, James; Boult, Stephen

2015-04-01

The quantity and quality of the mineral component of sediments is a core focus of sedimentological investigation in terrestrial systems. This is not to say that the organic component of collected sediments is simply ignored; the organic component is often scrutinised, but in some fields in a restricted manner, limited to basic characteristics such as the ratio of organic to mineral content derived from loss on ignition. There is no doubt that this information is useful; however, these types of analysis indicate the quantity of organic matter relative to a particular temporal scale or volume, rather than treating the organic fraction as a separate entity worthy of substantial investigation. The quality of the organic component is being increasingly considered in a number of fields, with molecular, thermal, spectroscopic and bulk methods being used. However, models and theories on organic matter processing in a variety of environmental systems, have been developed without clearly defining organic matter quality, because most results do not depend on an outright measure of quality (Bosatta and Agren, 1999). With approaches and techniques varying between fields, there is a need to consider a more systematic approach to the analysis and definition of organic matter quality. The disparities in the definition of the quality of organic matter, and thus how it may be measured have vital implications for the study of carbon cycling, biogeochemical processing, and ultimately ecosystem structure and function. The quality and quantity of organic matter have an influence on the chemistry and biology of systems and may reveal a wealth of past or contemporary environmental information. In this paper we provide a classification of organic matter quality and examples of potential applications and suitable techniques for the analysis of the main classes of organic matter character. A more consistent approach to organic matter characterisation has the potential to aid understanding of soils and sediments through consideration of decomposition dynamics; accounting for organic matter variety in carbon cycling and budgeting; use of organic proxies of source determination; and investigations into palaeovegetation and palaeoclimate.

The cariogenic dental biofilm: good, bad or just something to control?

PubMed

Wolff, Mark Steven; Larson, Charlie

2009-01-01

This paper discusses the role of dental biofilm and adjunctive therapies in the management of dental caries. Dental biofilm is a site of bacterial proliferation and growth, in addition to being a location of acid production. It also serves as a reservoir for calcium exchange between the tooth and saliva. The salivary pellicle, a protein-rich biofilm layer, regulates the reaction between tooth surface, saliva and erosive acids. The protective effects of this pellicle on enamel are well established. However, understanding the effects of the pellicle/biofilm interaction in protecting dentin from erosive conditions requires further research. Saliva interacts with the biofilm, and is important in reducing the cariogenic effects of dental plaque as acidogenic bacteria consume fermentable carbohydrates producing acids that may result in tooth demineralization. Adequate supplies of healthy saliva can provide ingredients for successful remineralization. Strategies for managing the cariogenic biofilm are discussed with emphasis on the effectiveness of over-the-counter (OTC) products. However, since many toothpaste components have been altered recently, new clinical trials may be required for true validation of product effectiveness. A new generation of calcium-based remineralizing technologies may offer the ability to reverse the effects of demineralization. Nevertheless, remineralization is a microscopic subsurface phenomenon, and it will not macroscopically replace tooth structure lost in a cavitated lesion. Optimal management of cavitations requires early detection. This, coupled with advances in adhesive restorative materials and microsurgical technique, will allow the tooth to be restored with minimal destruction to nearby healthy tissue.

In vitro remineralization effects of grape seed extract on artificial root caries.

PubMed

Xie, Qian; Bedran-Russo, Ana Karina; Wu, Christine D

2008-11-01

Grape seed extract (GSE) contains proanthocyanidins (PA), which has been reported to strengthen collagen-based tissues by increasing collagen cross-links. We used an in vitro pH-cycling model to evaluate the effect of GSE on the remineralization of artificial root caries. Sound human teeth fragments obtained from the cervical portion of the root were stored in a demineralization solution for 96 h at 37 degrees C to induce artificial root caries lesions. The fragments were then divided into three treatment groups including: 6.5% GSE, 1,000 ppm fluoride (NaF), and a control (no treatment). The demineralized samples were pH-cycled through treatment solutions, acidic buffer and neutral buffer for 8 days at 6 cycles per day. The samples were subsequently evaluated using a microhardness tester, polarized light microscopy (PLM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Fisher's tests (p<0.05). GSE and fluoride significantly increased the microhardness of the lesions (p<0.05) when compared to a control group. PLM data revealed a significantly thicker mineral precipitation band on the surface layer of the GSE-treated lesions when compared to the other groups (p>0.05), which was confirmed by CLSM. We concluded that grape seed extract positively affects the demineralization and/or remineralization processes of artificial root caries lesions, most likely through a different mechanism than that of fluoride. Grape seed extract may be a promising natural agent for non-invasive root caries therapy.

Incorporation of oxidized uranium into Fe (hydr)oxides during Fe(II) catalyzed remineralization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nico, Peter S.; Stewart, Brandy D.; Fendorf, Scott

2009-07-01

The form of solid phase U after Fe(II) induced anaerobic remineralization of ferrihydrite in the presence of aqueous and absorbed U(VI) was investigated under both abiotic batch and biotic flow conditions. Experiments were conducted with synthetic ground waters containing 0.168 mM U(VI), 3.8 mM carbonate, and 3.0 mM Ca{sup 2+}. In spite of the high solubility of U(VI) under these conditions, appreciable removal of U(VI) from solution was observed in both the abiotic and biotic systems. The majority of the removed U was determined to be substituted as oxidized U (U(VI) or U(V)) into the octahedral position of the goethitemore » and magnetite formed during ferrihydrite remineralization. It is estimated that between 3% and 6% of octahedral Fe(III) centers in the new Fe minerals were occupied by U(VI). This site specific substitution is distinct from the non-specific U co-precipitation processes in which uranyl compounds, e.g. uranyl hydroxide or carbonate, are entrapped with newly formed Fe oxides. The prevalence of site specific U incorporation under both abiotic and biotic conditions and the fact that the produced solids were shown to be resistant to both extraction (30 mM KHCO{sub 3}) and oxidation (air for 5 days) suggest the potential importance of sequestration in Fe oxides as a stable and immobile form of U in the environment.« less

Effect of in vitro chewing and bruxism events on remineralization, at the resin-dentin interface.

PubMed

Toledano, Manuel; Cabello, Inmaculada; Aguilera, Fátima S; Osorio, Estrella; Osorio, Raquel

2015-01-02

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if different in vitro functional and parafunctional habits promote mineralization at the resin-dentin interface after bonding with three different adhesive approaches. Dentin surfaces were subjected to distinct treatments: demineralization by (1) 37% phosphoric acid (PA) followed by application of an etch-and-rinse dentin adhesive, Single Bond (SB) (PA+SB); (2) 0.5 M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) followed by SB (EDTA+SB); (3) application of a self-etch dentin adhesive, Clearfil SE Bond (SEB). Different loading waveforms were applied: No cycling (I), cycled in sine (II) or square (III) waves, sustained loading hold for 24 h (IV) or sustained loading hold for 72 h (V). Remineralization at the bonded interfaces was assessed by AFM imaging/nano-indentation, Raman spectroscopy and Masson's trichrome staining. In general, in vitro chewing and parafunctional habits, promoted an increase of nano-mechanical properties at the resin-dentin interface. Raman spectroscopy through cluster analysis demonstrated an augmentation of the mineral-matrix ratio in loaded specimens. Trichrome staining reflected a narrow demineralized dentin matrix after loading in all groups except in PA+SB and EDTA+SB samples after sustained loading hold for 72 h, which exhibited a strong degree of mineralization. In vitro mechanical loading, produced during chewing and bruxism (square or hold 24 and 72 h waveforms), induced remineralization at the resin-dentin bonded interface. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Laser fluorescence in monitoring the influence of targeted tooth brushing on remineralization of initial caries lesions on newly erupted molar teeth - RCT.

PubMed

Laitala, M-L; Jaanti, E; Vähänikkilä, H; Määttä, T; Heikka, H; Hausen, H; Anttonen, V

2017-11-01

This study aimed to monitor mineralization changes in initial caries lesions on newly erupted second molars using laser fluorescence (LF) scanning after a 1-month targeted tooth brushing intervention. Altogether, 124 13- to 14-year-old school children were invited to participate. Of those who fulfilled the clinical criteria (at least one initial lesion with LF value >10 in second molars), 51 gave their written consent to participate. Laser fluorescence values were registered at baseline and after 1-month follow-up period. All participants were individually taught targeted tooth brushing of their second molars and randomly provided tooth paste with 0 or 1500 ppm fluoride. Brushing frequency was investigated at baseline and after the follow-up. Change in LF values was compared considering the tooth, content of fluoride in the paste and brushing frequency. In lesions with LF values ≤30 at baseline, change in LF values demonstrated improvement. Improvement was detected especially in upper molars. In lesions with LF values >30 at baseline, improvement was least detected. Brushing frequency increased slightly during the intervention. Laser fluorescence is a simple method and useful in monitoring remineralization of incipient lesions even in weeks. Targeted tooth brushing seems to induce remineralization even in weeks. Laser fluorescence could be a valuable motivating tool in promoting patients' self-care. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The Case Against Charge Transfer Interactions in Dissolved Organic Matter Photophysics.

PubMed

McKay, Garrett; Korak, Julie A; Erickson, Paul R; Latch, Douglas E; McNeill, Kristopher; Rosario-Ortiz, Fernando L

2018-01-16

The optical properties of dissolved organic matter influence chemical and biological processes in all aquatic ecosystems. Dissolved organic matter optical properties have been attributed to a charge-transfer model in which donor-acceptor complexes play a primary role. This model was evaluated by measuring the absorbance and fluorescence response of organic matter isolates to changes in solvent temperature, viscosity, and polarity, which affect the position and intensity of spectra for known donor-acceptor complexes of organic molecules. Absorbance and fluorescence spectral shape were largely unaffected by these changes, indicating that the distribution of absorbing and emitting species was unchanged. Overall, these results call into question the wide applicability of the charge-transfer model for explaining organic matter optical properties and suggest that future research should explore other models for dissolved organic matter photophysics.

Reduction in the exchange of coastal dissolved organic matter and microgels by inputs of extra riverine organic matter.

PubMed

Shiu, Ruei-Feng; Lee, Chon-Lin; Chin, Wei-Chun

2017-12-15

Rivers drive large amounts of terrestrial and riverine organic matter into oceans. These organic materials may alter the self-assembly of marine dissolved organic matter (DOM) polymers into microgels and can even affect the behavior of existing natural microgels. We used Suwannee River humic acid, fulvic acid, and natural organic matter as a model of riverine organic matter (ROM) to investigate the impacts of ROM input on DOM polymer and microgel conversion. Our results indicated that the release of extra ROM, even at low concentrations (0.1-10 mg L -1 ), into the marine organic matter pool decreased the size of self-assembled DOM polymers (from 4-5 μm to < 1 μm) and dispersed the existing natural microgels into smaller particles (from 4-5 μm to 2-3 μm). The particle size of the microgel phase was also less sensitive than that of the DOM polymers to external changes (addition of ROM). This size reduction in DOM aggregation and existing microgels may be closely tied to the surface chemistry of the organic matter, such as negative surface charge stabilization and Ca 2+ cross-linking bridges. These findings reveal that ROM inputs may therefore impede the self-assembly of DOM polymers into particulate organic matter and reduce the sedimentation flux of organic carbon and other elements from surface water to the deep ocean, thereby disturbing the biological pump, the downward transportation of nutrients, and the marine organic carbon cycle. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Use of Amynthas gracilis (Oligochaeta, Megascolecidae) and Bougainvillea litter for rehabilitation of overexploited soils, in Campeche, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huerta, Esperanza; Alonso Gongora, Erick

2014-05-01

Yucatan peninsula is one of the recent emerged lands in Mexico; where more of the soils have low organic matter content, and/or the organic horizon is thin (2-5cm). The industry of material extraction for construction purposes is well developed in Yucatan Peninsula, due to the fact of the calcareous material that can be obtained by the maternal rock. Therefore, the material extraction promotes the desertification of the areas, and soil erosion. Bougainvillea sp is a tropical and subtropical woody, evergreen, shrubby vine (Kobayashi et al. 2007), it has a wide range of distribution and it roots are superficial, what allows the plant to inhabit soils with a thin layer of soil organic matter. Earthworms as ecosystem engineers (Jones et al. 1994) can modify their environment, forming borrows and incorporation organic matter into the soil. The aim of this study was to rehabilitate soils without organic matter horizon by the use of earthworms and Bougainvillea litter. The study was developed at mesocosmos level in the laboratory of soils at El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Campeche, Mexico. Individual of anecic earthworms were collected and reproduced previously, anecic worms can better incorporate organic matter in to the soil than epigeics or endogeics worms, in Mexican tropical terrestrial ecosystems, anecic worms are almost absent or scarce. In this study we used the exotic earthworm Amynthas gracilis (native in Taiwan),that used to inhabit banana plantations with low technology in southeast Mexico, as exotic has a wide range of tolerance to different amounts of soil organic matter and pH. Four treatments with 4 replicas were established: a) calcareous soil without organic matter horizon+earthworms+litter, b) calcareous soil with organic matter horizon+ earthworms+litter, c) calcareous soil without organic matter horizon+litter, d) calcareous soil with organic matter horizon+litter. After 60 days of study, we observed how earthworms developed successfully in treatments with and without organic matter horizon. Higher amount of litter was incorporated into the soil in those treatments with earthworms. Soil invertebrates populated those treatments with organic matter and earthworms. This study shows that Bougainvillea sp and A. gracilis can be a good combination for rehabilitation of soils without organic matter layer in tropics. Further studies are required in order to observe same results at the field level.