Temperature affects the silicate morphology in a diatom.

Area of Science:

• Marine biology
• Biomaterials science
• Phytoplankton research

Background:

• Diatoms are crucial phytoplankton that deposit silica.
• Biosilicification in diatoms is vital for ecology and materials science.
• In vivo physical and chemical effects on diatom silica morphology are under-investigated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively investigate the in vivo physical and chemical effects on diatom silica morphology.
• To determine the impact of temperature on silica deposition in Thalassiosira pseudonana.
• To correlate silica structure with cell division success under varying conditions.

Main Methods:

• Culturing the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana at 14°C, 18°C, and 23°C.
• Utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze silica valve morphology.
• Employing image analysis and supervised learning for quantitative pattern assessment.

Main Results:

• Three distinct temperature-dependent growth phases were observed.
• Silica valve morphology varied: mesh-like in silicon-rich, tree-like in silicon-limited cultures.
• Temperature significantly influenced silica patterns, particularly under silicon limitation.

Conclusions:

• Diatom silica structure is adaptable to environmental conditions like temperature and silicon availability.
• A tree-like silica pattern (lower silicification) facilitates successful cell division in silicon-limited conditions at lower temperatures (14°C and 18°C).
• Findings provide insights into the biological control of biosilicification and its ecological implications.