Diatoms Role for Silica Cycle Towards Predicting Impacts of Climate Change on Marine Productivity – A Review

Prabal Barua¹*

Diatoms drive the silica cycle, support marine food webs, and aid carbon sequestration, crucial for ecosystem health and climate regulation.

Abstract

Diatoms are a diverse group of photosynthetic microorganisms that play a crucial role in global biogeochemical cycles, particularly the silica cycle. These microscopic algae are characterized by their intricate cell walls made of biogenic silica, which influences nutrient cycling, sediment formation, and the productivity of aquatic ecosystems. As primary producers, diatoms contribute significantly to oxygen production and carbon sequestration, making them essential for maintaining ecological balance in marine and freshwater environments. Their rapid reproduction and high efficiency in photosynthesis support diverse food webs and sustain marine biodiversity. The silica cycle, largely driven by diatoms, regulates the availability of dissolved silica in aquatic systems. By extracting silica from their surroundings, diatoms build their elaborate frustules, which eventually settle to the ocean floor upon their death, forming diatomaceous sediments. These sediments play a role in long-term carbon storage and influence oceanic chemical composition. Additionally, diatoms have gained interest in biotechnology and nanotechnology due to their unique silica structures, which have potential applications in drug delivery, biosensors, and renewable energy technologies. Despite their ecological and industrial significance, diatom populations are vulnerable to environmental changes, including shifts in ocean temperature, nutrient availability, and acidification. Understanding their role in the silica cycle and their responses to changing conditions is crucial for predicting the impacts of climate change on marine productivity. This review explores the biological processes that enable diatoms to shape the silica cycle, their ecological importance, and their potential applications in modern science and technology. By examining their contributions to ecosystem stability and industrial innovation, this article highlights why diatoms remain one of nature’s most important silica architects.

Keywords: Diatoms, Silica cycle, Biogenic silica, Carbon sequestration, Marine ecosystems.

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