Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Sol-Gel Materials for Energy, Environment and Electronic Applications pp 101–120Cite as

The Multiple Roles of Diatoms in Environmental Applications: Prospects for Sol-Gel Modified Diatoms

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: Advances in Sol-Gel Derived Materials and Technologies ((Adv.Sol-Gel Deriv. Materials Technol.))

Abstract

Diatoms, unicellular microalgae, have a characteristic ornate siliceous cell wall, referred to as the frustule. The elaborate architecture of the frustule, at both the nano- and micro-scale, lends these structures to proposed applications in catalysis, separation science, filtration and emerging nanotechnologies. In addition, the living diatom is a known indicator of water quality, due to the fact that both the cell morphology and cell physiology are sensitive to the presence of pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, polymers and personal care products. The potential of diatoms to bioaccumulate, biotransform or biodegrade compounds of concern including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals, endocrine disrupting chemicals, phthalates and metal nanoparticles has been documented. Sol-gel modification of either the living diatom or harvested frustule enables the design of diatoms for bioremediation of these priority substances from the environment. Furthermore, diatoms can be prodigious producers of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that may find a role in decontamination of pollutants through the formation gel-like networks that sequester pollutants.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Mann, S.: Biomineralization and biomimetic materials chemistry. J. Mater. Chem. 5, 935–946 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Sotiropoulou, S., Sierra-Sastre, Y., Mark, S.S., Batt, C.A.: Biotemplated nanostructured materials. Chem. Mater. 20, 821–834 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. De Stefano, L., Lamberti, A., Rotiroti, L., De Stefano, M.: Interfacing the nanostructured biosilica microshells of the marine diatom Coscinodiscus wailesii with biological matter. Acta Biomater. 4, 126–130 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. De Stefano, L., Rendina, I., De Stefano, M., Bismuto, A., Maddalena, P.: Marine diatoms as optical chemical sensors. Appl. Phys. Lett. 87, 233902 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Jantschke, A., Herrmann, A.-K., Lesnyak, V., Eychmüller, A., Brunner, E.: Decoration of diatom biosilica with noble metal and semiconductor nanoparticles (<10 nm): assembly, characterization, and applications. Chem. Asian J. 7, 85–90 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Townley, H.E., Parker, A.R., White-Cooper, H.: Exploitation of diatom frustules for nanotechnology: tethering active biomolecules. Adv. Funct. Mater. 18, 369–374 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Wang, G., Fang, Y., Kim, P., Hayek, A., Weatherspoon, M.R., Perry, J.W., Sandhage, K.H., Marder, S.R., Jones, S.C.: Layer-by-layer dendritic growth of hyperbranched thin films for surface sol-gel syntheses of conformal, functional, nanocrystalline oxide coatings on complex 3D (bio)silica templates. Adv. Funct. Mater. 19, 2768–2776 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Weatherspoon, M.R., Dickerson, M.B., Wang, G., Cai, Y., Shian, S., Jones, S.C., Marder, S.R., Sandhage, K.H.: Thin, conformal, and continuous SnO2 coatings on three-dimensional biosilica templates through hydroxy-group amplification and layer-by-layer alkoxide deposition. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 46, 5724–5727 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Yu, Y., Addai-Mensah, J., Losic, D.: Synthesis of self-supporting gold microstructures with three-dimensional morphologies by direct replication of diatom templates. Langmuir 26, 14068–14072 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Yu, Y., Addai-Mensah, J., Losic, D.: Chemical functionalization of diatom silica microparticles for adsorption of gold (III) ions. J. Nanosci. Nanotechnol. 11, 10349–10356 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Brunner, E., Groger, C., Lutz, K., Richthammer, P., Spinde, K., Sumper, M.: Analytical studies of silica biomineralization: towards an understanding of silica processing by diatoms. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 84, 607–616 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Kroger, N., Poulsen, N.: Diatoms-from cell wall biogenesis to nanotechnology. Annu. Rev. Genet. 42, 83–107 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Round, F.E., Crawford, R.M., Mann, D.G.: The diatoms: biology and morphology of the genera. Cambridge University Press, New York (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Hecky, R.E., Mopper, K., Kilham, P., Degens, E.T.: The amino acid and sugar composition of diatom cell-walls. Mar. Biol. 19, 323–331 (1973)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Davidson, A.T., Bramich, D., Marchant, H.J., McMinn, A.: Effects of UV-B irradiation on growth and survival of Antarctic marine diatoms. Mar. Biol. 119, 507–515 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Milligan, A.J., Varela, D.E., Brzezinski, M.A., Morel, F.O.M.M.: Dynamics of silicon metabolism and silicon isotopic discrimination in a marine diatom as a function of pCO(2). Limnol. Oceanogr. 49, 322–329 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Morel, F.M.M., Cox, E.H., Kraepiel, A.M.L., Lane, T.W., Milligan, A.J., Schaperdoth, I., Reinfelder, J.R., Tortell, P.D.: Acquisition of inorganic carbon by the marine diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii. Funct. Plant Biol. 29, 301–308 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Fuhrmann, T., Landwehr, S., El Rharbi-Kucki, M., Sumper, M.: Diatoms as living photonic crystals. Appl. Phy. B 78, 257–260 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Hildebrand, M., Volcani, B.E., Gassmann, W., Schroeder, J.I.: A gene family of silicon transporters. Nature 385, 688–689 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Thamatrakoln, K., Hildebrand, M.: Analysis of Thalassiosira pseudonana silicon transporters indicates distinct regulatory levels and transport activity through the cell cycle. Eukaryot. Cell 6, 271–279 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Conway, H.L., Harrison, P.J.: Marine diatoms grown in chemostats under silicate or ammonium limitation. IV. Transient response of Chaetoceros debilis, Skeletonema costatum, and Thalassiosira gravida to a single addition of the limiting nutrient. Mar. Biol. 43, 33–43 (1977)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Conway, H.L., Harrison, P.J., Davis, C.O.: Marine diatoms grown in chemostats under silicate or ammonium limitation. II. Transient response of Skeletonema costatum to a single addition of the limiting nutrient. Mar. Biol. 35, 187–199 (1976)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Drum, R.W., Pankratz, H.S.: Post mitotic fine structure of Gomphonema parvulum. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 10, 217–223 (1964)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Kroger, N., Deutzmann, R., Sumper, M.: Polycationic peptides from diatom biosilica that direct silica nanosphere formation. Science 286, 1129–1132 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Kroger, N., Lorenz, S., Brunner, E., Sumper, M.: Self-assembly of highly phosphorylated silaffins and their function in biosilica morphogenesis. Science 298, 584–586 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Kroger, N., Deutzmann, R., Bergsdorf, C., Sumper, M.: Species-specific polyamines from diatoms control silica morphology. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 97, 14133–14138 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Chiappino, M., Volcani, B.E.: Studies on the biochemistry and fine structure of silicia shell formation in diatoms VII. Sequential cell wall development in the pennate Navicula pelliculosa. Protoplasma 93, 205–221 (1977)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Gordon, R., Drum, R.W.: The chemical basis of diatom morphogenesis. In: Richard, G. (ed.) International Review of Cytology. Academic Press (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Hazelaar, S., Van Der Strate, H.J., Gieskes, W.W.C., Vrieling, E.G.: Monitoring rapid valve formation in the pennate diatom Navicula salinarum (Bacillariophyceae). J. Phycol. 41, 354–358 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Heredia, A., van der Strate, H.J., Delgadillo, I., Basiuk, V.A., Vrieling, E.G.: Analysis of organo–silica interactions during valve formation in synchronously growing cells of the diatom Navicula pelliculosa. ChemBioChem 9, 573–584 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Rogerson, A., Defreitas, A.S.W., Mcinnes, A.G.: Observations on wall morphogenesis in Coscinodiscus asteromphalus (Bacillariophyceae). Trans. Am. Microsc. Soc. 105, 59–67 (1986)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Tesson, B., Hildebrand, M.: Dynamics of silica cell wall morphogenesis in the diatom Cyclotella cryptica: substructure formation and the role of microfilaments. J. Struct. Biol. 169, 62–74 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Tesson, B., Hildebrand, M.: Extensive and intimate association of the cytoskeleton with forming silica in diatoms: control over patterning on the meso- and micro-scale. PLoS ONE 5, e14300 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Brzezinski, M.A.: Cell-cycle effects on the kinetics of silicic-acid uptake and resource competition among diatoms. J. Plankton Res. 14, 1511–1539 (1992)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Brzezinski, M.A., Olson, R.J., Chisholm, S.W.: Silicon availability and cell-cycle progression in marine diatoms. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 67, 83–96 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Claquin, P., Martin-Jezequel, V.: Regulation of the Si and C uptake and of the soluble free-silicon pool in a synchronised culture of Cylindrotheca fusiformis (Bacillariophyceae): effects on the Si/C ratio. Mar. Biol. 146, 877–886 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. De La Rocha, C.L., Passow, U.: Recovery of Thalassiosira weissflogii from nitrogen and silicon starvation. Limnol. Oceanogr. 49, 245–255 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. De La Rocha, C.L., Terbruggen, A., Volker, C., Hohn, S.: Response to and recovery from nitrogen and silicon starvation in Thalassiosira weissflogii: growth rates, nutrient uptake and C, Si and N content per cell. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 412, 57–68 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Finkel, Z.V., Matheson, K.A., Regan, K.S., Irwin, A.J.: Genotypic and phenotypic variation in diatom silicification under paleo-oceanographic conditions. Geobiology 8, 433–445 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Garcia, N., Lopez-Elias, J.A., Miranda, A., Martinez-Porchas, M., Huerta, N., Garcia, A.: Effect of salinity on growth and chemical composition of the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii at three culture phases. Lat. Am. J. Aquat. Res. 40, 435–440 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Olson, R.J., Watras, C., Chisholm, S.W.: Patterns of individual cell-growth in marine centric diatoms. J. Gen. Microbiol. 132, 1197–1204 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Su, Y., Lundholm, N., Friis, S.r.M, Ellegaard, M.: Implications for photonic applications of diatom growth and frustule nanostructure changes in response to different light wavelengths. Nano Res. 1–10

    Google Scholar 

  43. Vaulot, D., Olson, R.J., Merkel, S., Chisholm, S.W.: Cell-cycle response to nutrient starvation in 2 phytoplankton species, Thalassiosira-weissflogii and Hymenomonas-carterae. Mar. Biol. 95, 625–630 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Vrieling, E.G., Poort, L., Beelen, T.P.M., Gieskes, W.W.C.: Growth and silica content of the diatoms Thalassiosira weissflogii and Navicula salinarum at different salinities and enrichments with aluminium. Eur. J. Phycol. 34, 307–316 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Vrieling, E.G., Sun, Q.Y., Tian, M., Kooyman, P.J., Gieskes, W.W.C., van Santen, R.A., Sommerdijk, N.A.J.M.: Salinity-dependent diatom biosilicification implies an important role of external ionic strength. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 104, 10441–10446 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Crawford, S.A., Higgins, M.J., Mulvaney, P., Wetherbee, R.: Nanostructure of the diatom frustule as revealed by atomic force and scanning electron microscopy. J. Phycol. 37, 543–554 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Hildebrand, M., Doktycz, M.J., Allison, D.P.: Application of AFM in understanding biomineral formation in diatoms. Pflugers Arch. 456, 127–137 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Hildebrand, M., Holton, G., Joy, D.C., Doktycz, M.J., Allison, D.P.: Diverse and conserved nano- and mesoscale structures of diatom silica revealed by atomic force microscopy. J. Microsc. 235, 172–187 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Hildebrand, M., Kim, S., Shi, D., Scott, K., Subramaniam, S.: 3D imaging of diatoms with ion-abrasion scanning electron microscopy. J. Struct. Biol. 166, 316–328 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Losic, D., Rosengarten, G., Mitchell, J.G., Voelcker, N.H.: Pore architecture of diatom frustules: potential nanostructured membranes for molecular and particle separations. J. Nanosci. Nanotechnol. 6, 982–989 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Pletikapić, G., Berquand, A., Radić, T.M., Svetličić, V.: Quantitative nanomechanical mapping of marine diatom in seawater using peak force tapping atomic force microscopy. J. Phycol. 48, 174–185 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Volcani, B.E.: Cell wall formation in diatoms: morphogenesis and biochemistry. In: Simpson, T., Volcani, B. (eds.) Silicon and siliceous structures in biological systems. Springer, New York (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  53. Cai, Y., Sandhage, K.H.: Zn2SiO4-coated microparticles with biologically-controlled 3D shapes. Phys. Status Solidi (A) Appl. Mater. Sci. 202, R105–R107 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  54. Weatherspoon, M.R., Allan, S.M., Hunt, E., Cai, Y., Sandhage, K.H.: Sol-gel synthesis on self-replicating single-cell scaffolds: applying complex chemistries to nature’s 3-D nanostructured templates. Chem. Commun., 651–653 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  55. Weatherspoon, M.R., Haluska, M.S., Cai, Y., King, J.S., Summers, C.J., Snyder, R.L., Sandhage, K.H.: Phosphor microparticles of controlled three-dimensional shape from phytoplankton. J. Electrochem. Soc. 153, H34–H37 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Losic, D., Triani, G., Evans, P.J., Atanacio, A., Mitchell, J.G., Voelcker, N.H.: Controlled pore structure modification of diatoms by atomic layer deposition of TiO2. J. Mater. Chem. 16, 4029–4034 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Mao, L., Liu, J., Zhu, S., Zhang, D., Chen, Z., Chen, C.: Sonochemical fabrication of mesoporous TiO2 inside diatom frustules for photocatalyst. Ultrason. Sonochem. 21, 527–534 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Toster, J., Kusumawardani, I., Eroglu, E., Iyer, K.S., Rosei, F., Raston, C.L.: Superparamagnetic imposed diatom frustules for the effective removal of phosphates. Green Chem. 16, 82–85 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Van Eynde, E., Tytgat, T., Smits, M., Verbruggen, S.W., Hauchecorne, B., Lenaerts, S.: Biotemplated diatom silica-titania materials for air purification. Photochem. Photobiol. Sci. 12, 690–695 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Wang, B., de Godoi, F.C., Sun, Z., Zeng, Q., Zheng, S., Frost, R.L.: Synthesis, characterization and activity of an immobilized photocatalyst: natural porous diatomite supported titania nanoparticles. J. Coll Interface Sci. 438, 204–211 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Shi, J.Y., Yao, Q.Z., Li, X.M., Zhou, G.T, Fu, S.Q.: Formation of asymmetrical structured silica controlled by a phase separation process and implication for biosilicification. PLoS ONE 8 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  62. Gutu, T., Gale, D.K., Jeffryes, C., Wang, W., Chang, C.H., Rorrer, G.L., Jiao, J.: Electron microscopy and optical characterization of cadmium sulphide nanocrystals deposited on the patterned surface of diatombiosilica. J. Nanomater. 9 (2009). http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2009/860536

  63. Lee, D.H., Gutu, T., Jeffryes, C., Rorrer, G.L., Jiao, J., Chang, C.H.: Nanofabrication of green luminescent Zn2SiO4: Mn using biogenic silica. Electrochem. Solid State Lett. 10, K13–K16 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Liu, Z., Fan, T., Zhou, H., Zhang, D., Gong, X., Guo, Q., Ogawa, H.: Synthesis of ZnFe2O4/SiO2 composites derived from a diatomite template. Bioinspiration Biomim 2, 30 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Toster, J., Harnagea, C., Swaminathan Iyer, K., Rosei, F., Raston, C.L.: Controlling anatase coating of diatom frustules by varying the binding layer. CrystEngComm 14, 3446–3450 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Etacheri, V., Di Valentin, C., Schneider, J., Bahnemann, D., Pillai, S.C.: Visible-light activation of TiO2 photocatalysts: advances in theory and experiments. J. Photochem. Photobiol. C 25, 1–29 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Nolan, N.T., Seery, M.K., Pillai, S.C.: Spectroscopic investigation of the Anatase-to-Rutile transformation of Sol-Gel-synthesized TiO2 photocatalysts. J. Phys. Chem C. 113, 16151–16157 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Podporska-Carroll, J., Panaitescu, E., Quilty, B., Wang, L., Menon, L., Pillai, S.C.: Antimicrobial properties of highly efficient photocatalytic TiO2 nanotubes. Appl. Catal. B: Environ. 176–177, 70–75 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Hsien, K.J., Tsai, W.T., Su, T.Y.: Preparation of diatomite-TiO2 composite for photodegradation of bisphenol-A in water. J. Sol-Gel. Sci. Technol. 51, 63–69 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. Jia, Y.X., Han, W., Xiong, G.X., Yang, W.S.: Layer-by-layer assembly of TiO2 colloids onto diatomite to build hierarchical porous materials. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 323, 326–331 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. Sun, Z.M., Hu, Z.B., Yan, Y., Zheng, S.L.: Effect of preparation conditions on the characteristics and photocatalytic activity of TiO2/purified diatomite composite photocatalysts. Appl. Surf. Sci. 314, 251–259 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  72. Thakkar, M., Randhawa, V., Mitra, S., Wei, L.: Synthesis of diatom-FeOx composite for removing trace arsenic to meet drinking water standards. J. Coll. Interface Sci. 457, 169–173 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  73. Thakkar, M., Wu, Z., Wei, L., Mitra, S.: Water defluoridation using a nanostructured diatom-ZrO2 composite synthesized from algal biomass. J. Coll. Interface Sci. 450, 239–245 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  74. Dalagan, J.Q., Enriquez, E.P., Li, L.J.: Simultaneous functionalization and reduction of graphene oxide with diatom silica. J. Mater. Sci. 48, 3415–3421 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  75. Kumeria, T., Bariana, M., Altalhi, T., Kurkuri, M., Gibson, C.T., Yang, W., Losic, D.: Graphene oxide decorated diatom silica particles as new nano-hybrids: towards smart natural drug microcarriers. J. Mater. Chem. B 1, 6302–6311 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Kabiri, S., Tran, D.N.H., Azari, S., Losic, D.: Graphene-diatom silica aerogels for efficient removal of mercury ions from water. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 7, 11815–11823 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  77. Sandhage, K.H., Dickerson, M.B., Huseman, P.M., Caranna, M.A., Clifton, J.D., Bull, T.A., Heibel, T.J., Overton, W.R., Schoenwaelder, M.E.A.: Novel, bioclastic route to self-assembled, 3D, chemically tailored meso/nanostructures: shape-preserving reactive conversion of Biosilica (Diatom) microshells. Adv. Mater. 14, 429–433 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  78. Cai, Y., Allan, S.M., Sandhage, K.H.: Three-dimensional magnesia-based nanocrystal assemblies via low-temperature magnesiothermic reaction of diatom microshells. J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 88, 2005–2010 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  79. Shian, S., Cai, Y., Weatherspoon, M.R., Allan, S.M., Sandhage, K.H.: Three-dimensional assemblies of zirconia nanocrystals via shape-preserving reactive conversion of diatom microshells. J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 89, 694–698 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  80. Unocic, R.R., Zalar, F.M., Sarosi, P.M., Cai, Y. & Sandhage, K. H. 2004. Anatase assemblies from algae: coupling biological self-assembly of 3-D nanoparticle structures with synthetic reaction chemistry. Chem. Commun. (Camb.), 796–797

    Google Scholar 

  81. Payne, E.K., Rosi, N.L., Xue, C., Mirkin, C.A.: Sacrificial biological templates for the formation of nanostructured metallic microshells. Angew. Chem-Int. Ed. 44, 5064–5067 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  82. Fang, Y.N., Chen, V.W., Cai, Y., Berrigan, J.D., Marder, S.R., Perry, J.W., Sandhage, K.H.: Biologically enabled syntheses of freestanding metallic structures possessing subwavelength pore arrays for extraordinary (surface plasmon-mediated) infrared transmission. Adv. Funct. Mater. 22, 2550–2559 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  83. Zhou, H., Fan, T., Li, X., Ding, J., Zhang, D., Li, X., Gao, Y.: Bio-Inspired bottom-up assembly of diatom-templated ordered porous metal chalcogenide meso/nanostructures. Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2009, 211–215 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  84. Kusari, U., Bao, Z., Cai, Y., Ahmad, G., Sandhage, K.H., Sneddon, L.G.: Formation of nanostructured, nanocrystalline boron nitride microparticles with diatom-derived 3-D shapes. Chem. Commun. (Camb.), 1177–1179 (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  85. Losic, D., Mitchell, J.G., Voelcker, N.H. Complex gold nanostructures derived by templating from diatom frustules. Chem. Commun. 4905–4907 (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  86. Hench, L.L., West, J.K.: The sol-gel Process. Chem. Rev. 90, 33–72 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  87. Avnir, D., Coradin, T., Lev, O., Livage, J.: Recent bio-applications of sol-gel materials. J. Mater. Chem. 16, 1013–1030 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  88. Sanchez, C., Lebeau, B., Chaput, F., Boilot, J.P.: Optical properties of functional hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposites. Adv. Mater. 15, 1969–1994 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  89. Hoffmann, F., Cornelius, M., Morell, J., Froba, M.: Silica-based mesoporous organic-inorganic hybrid materials. Angew. Chemi-Int. Ed. 45, 3216–3251 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  90. Wen, J.Y., Wilkes, G.L.: Organic/inorganic hybrid network materials by the sol-gel approach. Chem. Mater. 8, 1667–1681 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  91. Bayramoglu, G., Akbulut, A., Yakup Arica, M.: Immobilization of tyrosinase on modified diatom biosilica: enzymatic removal of phenolic compounds from aqueous solution. J. Hazard. Mater. 244–245, 528–536 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  92. Fowler, C.E., Buchber, C., Lebeau, B., Patarin, J., Delacote, C., Walcarius, A.: An aqueous route to organically functionalized silica diatom skeletons. Appl. Surf. Sci. 253, 5485–5493 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  93. Gale, D.K., Gutu, T., Jiao, J., Chang, C.H., Rorrer, G.L.: Photoluminescence detection of biomolecules by antibody-functionalized diatom biosilica. Adv. Funct. Mater. 19, 926–933 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  94. Losic, D., Yu, Y., Aw, M.S., Simovic, S., Thierry, B., Addai-Mensah, J.: Surface functionalisation of diatoms with dopamine modified iron-oxide nanoparticles: toward magnetically guided drug microcarriers with biologically derived morphologies. Chem. Commun. (Camb.) 46, 6323–6325 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  95. Rosi, N.L., Thaxton, C.S., Mirkin, C.A.: Control of nanoparticle assembly by using DNA-modified diatom templates. Angew Chem-Int. Ed. 43, 5500–5503 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  96. Marner, W.D., Shaikh, A.S., Muller, S.J., Keasling, J.D.: Morphology of artificial silica matrices formed via autosilification of a silaffin/protein polymer chimera. Biomacromolecules 9, 1–5 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  97. Wieneke, R., Bernecker, A., Riedel, R., Sumper, M., Steinem, C., Geyer, A.: Silica precipitation with synthetic silaffin peptides. Org. Biomol. Chem. 9, 5482–5486 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  98. Patwardhan, S.V., Mukherjee, N., Steinitz-Kannan, M., Clarson, S.J.: Bioinspired synthesis of new silica structures. Chem. Commun. (Camb), 1122–1123 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  99. Descles, J., Vartanian, M., El Harrak, A., Quinet, M., Bremond, N., Sapriel, G., Bibette, J., Lopez, P.J.: New tools for labeling silica in living diatoms. New Phytol. 177, 822–829 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  100. Lang, Y., del Monte, F., Collins, L., Rodriguez, B.J., Thompson, K., Dockery, P., Finn, D.P., Pandit, A.: Functionalization of the living diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii with thiol moieties. Nat. Commun. 4 (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  101. Lang, Y., del Monte, F., Finn, D.P., Wang, W., Pandit, A.: Synthesis of polymer-silica hybrid microparticles with defined geometry using surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. Polym. Chem. 6, 3014–3017 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  102. Kresge, C.T., Leonowicz, M.E., Roth, W.J., Vartuli, J.C., Beck, J.S.: Ordered mesoporous molecular-sieves synthesized by a liquid-crystal template mechanism. Nature 359, 710–712 (1992)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  103. Tanaka, N., Kobayashi, H., Ishizuka, N., Minakuchi, H., Nakanishi, K., Hosoya, K., Ikegami, T.: Monolithic silica columns for high-efficiency chromatographic separations. J. Chromatogr. A 965, 35–49 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  104. Wan, Y., Zhao, D.Y.: On the controllable soft-templating approach to mesoporous silicates. Chem. Rev. 107, 2821–2860 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  105. Kireta, A.R., Reavie, E.D., Sgro, G.V., Angradi, T.R., Bolgrien, D.W., Hill, B.H., Jicha, T.M.: Planktonic and periphytic diatoms as indicators of stress on great rivers of the United States: testing water quality and disturbance models. Ecol. Ind. 13, 222–231 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  106. Oeding, S, Taffs, K.: Are diatoms a reliable and valuable bio-indicator to assess sub-tropical river ecosystem health? Hydrobiologia, 1–19

    Google Scholar 

  107. Li, R., Chen, G.-Z., Tam, N.F.Y., Luan, T.-G., Shin, P.K.S., Cheung, S.G., Liu, Y.: Toxicity of bisphenol A and its bioaccumulation and removal by a marine microalga Stephanodiscus hantzschii. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf. 72, 321–328 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  108. Liu, Y., Guan, Y.T., Gao, Q.T., Tam, N.F.Y., Zhu, W.P.: Cellular responses, biodegradation and bioaccumulation of endocrine disrupting chemicals in marine diatom Navicula incerta. Chemosphere 80, 592–599 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  109. Luo, L.J., Wang, P., Lin, L., Luan, T.G., Ke, L., Tam, N.F.Y.: Removal and transformation of high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in water by live and dead microalgae. Process Biochem. 49, 1723–1732 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  110. Bopp, S.K., Lettieri, T.: Gene regulation in the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana upon exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Gene 396, 293–302 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  111. Carvalho, R.N., Bopp, S.K., Lettieri, T.: Transcriptomics responses in marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana exposed to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo[a]pyrene. PLoS ONE 6 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  112. Coquillé, N., Jan, G., Moreira, A., Morin, S.: Use of diatom motility features as endpoints of metolachlor toxicity. Aquat. Toxicol. 158, 202–210 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  113. Debenest, T., Sivestre, J., Coste, M., Delmas, F., Pinelli, E.: Herbicide effects on freshwater benthic diatoms: induction of nucleus alterations and silica cell wall abnormalities. Aquat. Toxicol. 88, 88–94 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  114. Basharina, T.N., Danilovtseva, E.N., Zelinskiy, S.N., Klimenkov, I.V., Likhoshway, Y.V., Annenkov, V.V.: The effect of titanium, zirconium and tin on the growth of diatom Synedra acus and morphology of its silica valves. Silicon 4, 239–249 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  115. Bour, A., Mouchet, F., Verneuil, L., Evariste, L., Silvestre, J., Pinelli, E., Gauthier, L.: Toxicity of CeO2 nanoparticles at different trophic levels—effects on diatoms, chironomids and amphibians. Chemosphere 120, 230–236 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  116. Choi, C.J., Berges, J.A., Young, E.B.: Rapid effects of diverse toxic water pollutants on chlorophyll a fluorescence: variable responses among freshwater microalgae. Water Res. 46, 2615–2626 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  117. Libralato, G., Gentile, E., Volpi Ghirardini, A.: Wastewater effects on Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bohlin): setting up a classification system. Ecol. Ind. 60, 31–37 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  118. Othman, H.B., Leboulanger, C., Le Floc’h, E., Hadj Mabrouk, H., Sakka Hlaili, A.: Toxicity of benz(a)anthracene and fluoranthene to marine phytoplankton in culture: does cell size really matter? J. Hazard. Mater. 243, 204–211 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  119. Wong, S.W.Y., Leung, P.T.Y., Djurisic, A.B., Leung, K.M.Y.: Toxicities of nano zinc oxide to five marine organisms: influences of aggregate size and ion solubility. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 396, 609–618 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  120. Durrieu, C., Guedri, H., Fremion, F., Volatier, L.: Unicellular algae used as biosensors for chemical detection in Mediterranean lagoon and coastal waters. Res. Microbiol. 162, 910–914 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  121. Carvalho, R.N., Burchardt, A.D., Sena, F., Mariani, G., Mueller, A., Bopp, S.K., Umlauf, G., Lettieri, T.: Gene biomarkers in diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from contaminated marine surface sediments. Aquat. Toxicol. 101, 244–253 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  122. Carvalho, R.N., Lettieri, T.: Proteomic analysis of the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana upon exposure to benzo(a)pyrene. BMC Genomics 12 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  123. Yung, M.M.N., Wong, S.W.Y., Kwok, K.W.H., Liu, F.Z., Leung, Y.H., Chan, W.T., Li, X.Y., Djurišić, A.B., Leung, K.M.Y.: Salinity-dependent toxicities of zinc oxide nanoparticles to the marine diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana. Aquat. Toxicol. 165, 31–40 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  124. Li, Y., Gao, J., Meng, F., Chi, J.: Enhanced biodegradation of phthalate acid esters in marine sediments by benthic diatom Cylindrotheca closterium. Sci. Total Environ. 508, 251–257 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  125. Miao, A.J., Schwehr, K.A., Xu, C., Zhang, S.J., Luo, Z., Quigg, A., Santschi, P.H.: The algal toxicity of silver engineered nanoparticles and detoxification by exopolymeric substances. Environ. Pollut. 157, 3034–3041 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  126. Pletikapic, G., Zutic, V., Vrcek, I.V., Svetlicic, V.: Atomic force microscopy characterization of silver nanoparticles interactions with marine diatom cells and extracellular polymeric substance. J. Mol. Recognit. 25, 309–317 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  127. Zhang, S., Jiang, Y., Chen, C.S., Creeley, D., Schwehr, K.A., Quigg, A., Chin, W.C., Santschi, P.H.: Ameliorating effects of extracellular polymeric substances excreted by Thalassiosira pseudonana on algal toxicity of CdSe quantum dots. Aquat. Toxicol. 126, 214–223 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  128. Abdelaziz, A.E.M., Leite, G.B., Belhaj, M.A., Hallenbeck, P.C.: Screening microalgae native to Quebec for wastewater treatment and biodiesel production. Bioresour. Technol. 157, 140–148 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  129. Arini, A., Feurtet-Mazel, A., Maury-Brachet, R., Coste, M., Delmas, F.: Field translocation of diatom biofilms impacted by Cd and Zn to assess decontamination and community restructuring capacities. Ecol. Ind. 18, 520–531 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  130. Arini, A., Feurtet-Mazel, A., Maury-Brachet, R., Pokrovsky, O.S., Coste, M., Delmas, F.: Recovery potential of periphytic biofilms translocated in artificial streams after industrial contamination (Cd and Zn). Ecotoxicology 21, 1403–1414 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  131. Arini, A., Feurtet-Mazel, A., Morin, S., Maury-Brachet, R., Coste, M., Delmas, F.: Remediation of a watershed contaminated by heavy metals: a 2-year field biomonitoring of periphytic biofilms. Sci. Total Environ. 425, 242–253 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  132. Tien, C.-J., Lin, M.-C., Chiu, W.-H., Chen, C.S.: Biodegradation of carbamate pesticides by natural river biofilms in different seasons and their effects on biofilm community structure. Environ. Pollut. 179, 95–104 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  133. Schröfel, A., Kratošová, G., Bohunická, M., Dobročka, E., Vávra, I.: Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles using diatoms-silica-gold and EPS-gold bionanocomposite formation. J. Nanopart. Res. 13, 3207–3216 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  134. Feurtet-Mazel, A., Mornet, S., Charron, L., Mesmer-Dudons, N., Maury-Brachet, R., Baudrimont, M.: Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles by the living freshwater diatom Eolimna minima, a species developed in river biofilms. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  135. Hempel, F., Bozarth, A.S., Lindenkamp, N., Klingl, A., Zauner, S., Linne, U., Steinbuchel, A., Maier, U.G.: Microalgae as bioreactors for bioplastic production. Microb. Cell Fact. 10, 81 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  136. Hempel, F., Lau, J., Klingl, A., Maier, U.G.: Algae as protein factories: expression of a human antibody and the respective antigen in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. PLoS ONE 6, e28424 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  137. Hempel, F., Maier, U.G.: An engineered diatom acting like a plasma cell secreting human IgG antibodies with high efficiency. Microb. Cell Fact. 11, 126 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  138. Poulsen, N., Berne, C., Spain, J., Kroger, N.: Silica immobilization of an enzyme through genetic engineering of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 46, 1843–1846 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  139. Poulsen, N., Kroger, N.: A new molecular tool for transgenic diatoms: control of mRNA and protein biosynthesis by an inducible promoter-terminator cassette. FEBS J. 272, 3413–3423 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  140. Sheppard, V.C., Scheffel, A., Poulsen, N., Kroger, N.: Live diatom silica immobilization of multimeric and redox-active enzymes. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 78, 211–218 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  141. Chandrasekaran, S., Sweetman, M.J., Kant, K., Skinner, W., Losic, D., Nann, T., Voelcker, N.H.: Silicon diatom frustules as nanostructured photoelectrodes. Chem. Commun. 50, 10441–10444 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  142. Huntley, M.E., Johnson, Z.I., Brown, S.L., Sills, D.L., Gerber, L., Archibald, I., Machesky, S.C., Granados, J., Beal, C., Greene, C.H.: Demonstrated large-scale production of marine microalgae for fuels and feed. Algal Res. 10, 249–265 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  143. Gutu, T., Gale, D.K., Wang, W., Chang, C.H., Rorrer, G.L., Jiao, J.: Electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy characterization of nanoparticle coated diatom biosilica. Microsc. Microanal. 15, 1278–1279 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  144. Toster, J., Iyer, K.S., Burtovyy, R., Burgess, S.S.O., Luzinov, I.A., Raston, C.L.: Regiospecific assembly of gold nanoparticles around the pores of diatoms: toward three-dimensional nanoarrays. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131, 8356–8357 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  145. Fang, Y.N., Berrigan, J.D., Cai, Y., Marder, S.R., Sandhage, K.H.: Syntheses of nanostructured Cu- and Ni-based micro-assemblies with selectable 3-D hierarchical biogenic morphologies. J. Mater. Chem. 22, 1305–1312 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  146. Aw, M.S., Simovic, S., Yu, Y., Addai-Mensah, J., Losic, D.: Porous silica microshells from diatoms as biocarrier for drug delivery applications. Powder Technol. 223, 52–58 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  147. Chen, J., Qin, G.W., Chen, Q., Yu, J.Y., Li, S., Cao, F., Yang, B., Ren, Y.P.: A synergistic combination of diatomaceous earth with Au nanoparticles as a periodically ordered, button-like substrate for SERS analysis of the chemical composition of eccrine sweat in latent fingerprints. J. Mater. Chem. C 3, 4933–4944 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments of Funding

This work was supported by funding from the Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland (Grant EPA 2014-HW-DS-3).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland

    Yvonne Lang & Peter Dockery

  2. School of Science, Institute of Technology, Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Ireland

    Yvonne Lang

  3. Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientıficas, Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain

    Francisco del Monte

Authors
  1. Yvonne Lang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Francisco del Monte
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Peter Dockery
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yvonne Lang .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Nanotechnology and Bio-Engineering Research Group, Institute of Technology Sligo, Sligo, Ireland

    Suresh C. Pillai

  2. Nanotechnology and Bio-Engineering Research Group, Institute of Technology Sligo, Sligo, Ireland

    Sarah Hehir

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Lang, Y., del Monte, F., Dockery, P. (2017). The Multiple Roles of Diatoms in Environmental Applications: Prospects for Sol-Gel Modified Diatoms. In: Pillai, S., Hehir, S. (eds) Sol-Gel Materials for Energy, Environment and Electronic Applications. Advances in Sol-Gel Derived Materials and Technologies. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50144-4_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation