Diatoms are nature's most gifted nanotechnologists," said Nils Kröger, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech's School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the School of Materials Science and Engineering. "We want to learn how diatom cell walls are produced because human technology can't make something that intricate by self-assembly processes and under ambient conditions..."
The pores allow diatoms to be lightweight, but their cell wall gives them a strong mechanical structure. The strength of the cell wall comes from amorphous silica, or silicon dioxide (SiO2)--virtually the same material as glass.
Investigations into the influence of seasons and tides on the nutrient dynamics and plankton cycles of the Great Kwa River covering a distance of 25 Km. was conducted in 1997. Three equidistant stations were chosen. Both nutrients and phytoplankton biomass and diversities were greatest at station 1 followed by 2 then 3 while zooplankton biomass increased from stn. 3,1 and peaked in 2. The most abundant nutrient was SiO2 leading to diatom dominance in all the stations irrespective of tides and seasons. More nutrients were observed during the rainy season and consequently more algal biomass. Thirty eight species each of micro-algae and zooplankton comprising four classes of algae and five faunal classes were identified and enumerated. Grazing by zooplankton was established. Paucity in zooplankton abundance was linked to antibiotic effects of some aquatic plants, increase in water volume and pollution indicator organisms. The oligotrophic status of the river was traced to the predominance of the ciliates (detritivores), which created conducive environment for algal decomposers-bacteria- to thrive on. Micro-algal biomass was comparatively higher at low and mid tides than at floodtides, while zooplankton peaked at Ft, low at Lt. and lowest at Mt. Physical factors and nutrients had very strong positive r (p < .001) at both Lt. and Ft.
So yes diatomic algae can use silica sand to multiply and lead to algae problems, I know its hard to believe but its true. I dont want to start an argument but diatoms are about 90% silica (Si02) by dry weight.
