Silica Biomineralization: Evolution and Impact on Global Climate

This lecture explores the process of silica biomineralization in various organisms such as diatoms, radiolarians, and siliceous sponges, discussing their origin, differentiation, and distribution in oceanic sediments. It delves into the impact of silica production on the carbon and silicon cycles, emphasizing the relationship with global climate. The instructor presents research on the pH-dependence of silicon biomineralization in diatoms, highlighting the morphogenesis process and valve pattern influenced by environmental pH. The lecture also covers the evolution of biosiliceous organisms through time, from molecular to fossil data, shedding light on the intricate biochemical cycle of silica in the ocean.