Carbon dioxide sequestration into biomineral armor by ants
Li, H.; Fang, Y.; Li, W.; Liu, J.; Sun, C.-Y.; Kang, X.; Bruner-Montero, G.; Sardina, J.; Mo, X.; Hao, J.-L.; Mo, J.; Cheng, L.; Liu, Z.; Schultz, T. R.; Johnston, R. E.; Currie, C. R. E.
Show abstract
Over geologic time, Earths climate has been shaped by the capture and conversion of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) into stable carbonate minerals, including dolomite [CaMg(CO3)2]. Accelerating natural carbon mineralization offers significant potential for mitigating anthropogenic climate change. Using stable carbon isotope tracking, nano-scale secondary ion mass spectroscopy, and 13C SSNMR, we show that, paralleling global biosphere-level processes, Sericomyrmex amabilis fungus-farming ants rapidly convert CO2 in their nest chambers into a biomineral layer covering their exoskeletons. We further reveal that biogenic carbon mineralization by these ants produces partially ordered dolomite. This rapid sequestration of CO2 into defensive armor in ants provides a fascinating natural example of mediation of potentially toxic accumulation of atmospheric CO2 that could inform human efforts to mitigate climate change.
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