Casting a light on diatom silicification in changing oceans
- Publication Type:
- Thesis
- Issue Date:
- 2024
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Diatoms are microscopic phytoplankton that contribute around 40% of marine primary productivity, playing a crucial role in carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling. Their silica-based frustules provide protection, regulate buoyancy, and influence light utilisation, aiding their survival and ecological function. By sinking to the deep ocean, diatoms help transport carbon and nutrients, making them key players in global biogeochemical cycles. However, silicification—the process of depositing silica into their frustules—is sensitive to environmental changes, particularly ocean acidification and warming.
This thesis investigates how increased pCO₂ affects diatom silicification, examining physiological responses across different conditions. Changes in light availability and carbon dioxide levels can influence how diatoms allocate energy between photosynthesis and frustule formation, impacting growth, photoprotection, and ecological interactions. Some species were more resilient, while others showed significant shifts in silicification rates, suggesting diverse adaptation strategies. Studying both isolated species and natural communities provides insights into broader ecosystem responses. Given their central role in marine food webs and carbon cycling, understanding how diatoms respond to climate change is critical for predicting future ocean dynamics and biogeochemical processes. This research helps assess the potential impacts of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and global carbon fluxes.
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