Architecture and material properties of diatom shells provide effective mechanical protection

Christian E. Hamm (), Rudolf Merkel, Olaf Springer, Piotr Jurkojc, Christian Maier, Kathrin Prechtel and Victor Smetacek
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Christian E. Hamm: Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research
Rudolf Merkel: Technische Universität München, Physics Department (Biophysics Group E22)
Olaf Springer: Hochschule Bremen – University of Applied Science
Piotr Jurkojc: Hochschule Bremen – University of Applied Science
Christian Maier: Technische Universität München, Physics Department (Biophysics Group E22)
Kathrin Prechtel: Technische Universität München, Physics Department (Biophysics Group E22)
Victor Smetacek: Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research

Nature, 2003, vol. 421, issue 6925, 841-843

Abstract: Abstract Diatoms are the major contributors to phytoplankton blooms in lakes and in the sea and hence are central in aquatic ecosystems and the global carbon cycle1. All free-living diatoms differ from other phytoplankton groups in having silicified cell walls in the form of two ‘shells’ (the frustule) of manifold shape and intricate architecture2 whose function and role, if any, in contributing to the evolutionary success of diatoms is under debate3,4,5. We explored the defence potential of the frustules as armour against predators by measuring their strength. Real and virtual loading tests (using calibrated glass microneedles and finite element analysis) were performed on centric and pennate diatom cells. Here we show that the frustules are remarkably strong by virtue of their architecture and the material properties of the diatom silica. We conclude that diatom frustules have evolved as mechanical protection for the cells because exceptional force is required to break them. The evolutionary arms race between diatoms and their specialized predators will have had considerable influence in structuring pelagic food webs and biogeochemical cycles.

Date: 2003
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DOI: 10.1038/nature01416

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