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<p>Silicon limitation negatively affects the growth and metabolism of diatoms. However, its influence on the topography and mechanical properties of diatom frustules, and consequently on predation, remains unclear. We investigated how silicon limitation affects the mechanical strength of diatom frustules. Under silicon limitation, the growth rates of diatom <i>Cylindrotheca closterium, Amphora coffeaeformis, Thalassiosira weissflogii</i>, and <i>Cyclotella</i> sp. decreased by 19%, 56%, 42%, and 73%, respectively. Similarly, the biogenic silica content of silicon-limited <i>C. closterium, T. weissflogii</i>, and <i>Cyclotella</i> sp. decreased by 17%, 11%, and 9%, respectively, whereas <i>A. coffeaeformis</i> showed a 63% increase. Atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that silicon shortage reduced frustule hardness by approximately 60% and decreased condensed silica components on their surface by about 80%, except in <i>A. coffeaeformis</i>. Additionally, copepods consumed 20% to 600% more diatoms grown under silicon deficiency compared to those grown under Si-rich conditions, with the exception of <i>A. coffeaeformis</i>. These findings suggest that silicon limitation diminishes diatom populations and accelerates carbon export from diatoms to the deep sea.</p>

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Silicon limitation affects diatom’s resistance to copepod grazing

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年4月10日

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  • Huo Xu,
  • Fengyuan Chen,
  • Minqi Luo,
  • Xiaodong Zhang,
  • Ke Pan,
  • Hongbin Liu

摘要

Silicon limitation negatively affects the growth and metabolism of diatoms. However, its influence on the topography and mechanical properties of diatom frustules, and consequently on predation, remains unclear. We investigated how silicon limitation affects the mechanical strength of diatom frustules. Under silicon limitation, the growth rates of diatom Cylindrotheca closterium, Amphora coffeaeformis, Thalassiosira weissflogii, and Cyclotella sp. decreased by 19%, 56%, 42%, and 73%, respectively. Similarly, the biogenic silica content of silicon-limited C. closterium, T. weissflogii, and Cyclotella sp. decreased by 17%, 11%, and 9%, respectively, whereas A. coffeaeformis showed a 63% increase. Atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that silicon shortage reduced frustule hardness by approximately 60% and decreased condensed silica components on their surface by about 80%, except in A. coffeaeformis. Additionally, copepods consumed 20% to 600% more diatoms grown under silicon deficiency compared to those grown under Si-rich conditions, with the exception of A. coffeaeformis. These findings suggest that silicon limitation diminishes diatom populations and accelerates carbon export from diatoms to the deep sea.