Chapter 2: Biogenic Silica in Ocean and Terrestrial Environments Check Access

Biosilica, also known as “biogenic silica,” is a naturally occurring substance created by a variety of living beings, including sponges, radiolarians, and diatoms. The biological processes of these organisms produce a particular kind of silica (SiO₂). Their life and ecological functioning depend heavily on the structural and protective properties of biogenic silica. Under the control of organic molecules found inside the organisms, silica is precipitated from dissolved silicic acid, a soluble form of silicon, to create biogenic silica. For instance, diatoms use biogenic silica to build complex cell walls, known as frustules, that display a variety of and frequently species-specific nano- and micro-scale patterns. These frustules support the diatom species mechanically, control buoyancy, and contribute to their distinctive forms and sizes, which affect how they interact with one another ecologically and how sediment accumulates. Additionally, biogenic silica has potential applications in materials science. Understanding the processes of biogenic silica production, its ecological relevance, and its potential uses requires research across the domains of biology, geology, chemistry, and materials science. Further research on biogenic silica might lead to the development of novel biomaterials, a better understanding of the complex interactions that occur between live organisms and their surroundings, and new insights into the evolution of various ecosystems.