Bioactive metal releases in ocean surface water, such as those by ash falls during volcanic super-eruptions, might have a potentially toxic impact on biocalcifier planktic microorganisms. Nano-XRF imaging with the cutting-edge synchrotron hard X-ray nano-analysis ID16B beamline (ESRF) revealed for the first time a specific Zn- and Mn-rich banding pattern in the test walls of Globorotalia menardii planktic foraminifers extracted from the Young Toba Tuff layer, and thus contemporaneous with Toba’s super-eruption, 74,000 years ago. The intra-test correlation of Zn and Mn patterns at the nanoscale with the layered calcareous microarchitecture, indicates that the incorporation of these metals is syngenetic to the wall growth. The preferential Mn and Zn sequestration within the incipient stages of chamber formation suggests a selective incorporation mechanism providing a resilience strategy to metal pollution in the test building of planktic foraminifers.

海洋表面水中的生物活性金属释放，例如火山超喷过程中灰烬掉落所释放的那些，可能会对生物钙化器的浮游微生物产生潜在的毒性影响。借助先进的同步加速器硬X射线纳米分析ID16B光束线（ESRF）进行的纳米XRF成像首次在梅氏全球夜蛾的试验壁中揭示了一种特定的富含Zn和Mn的条带模式从年轻的鸟羽凝灰岩层提取的板状有孔虫，因此与74,000年前的鸟羽超级喷发同时发生。Zn和Mn图案在纳米尺度上与层状钙微结构的测试内相关性表明，这些金属的掺入与壁的生长同系。在室形成的初期阶段优先进行的Mn和Zn螯合表明，选择性掺入机制为板式有孔虫的测试大楼提供了一种对金属污染的适应策略。