The Mathematical Biology of Diatoms

1Modeling the Stiffness of Diploneis Species Based on Geometry of the Frustule Cut with Focused Ion Beam Technology

Andrzej Witkowski¹*, Romuald Dobosz², Tomasz Płociński², Przemysław Dąbek¹, Izabela Zgłobicka³, Horst Lange-Bertalot⁴, Thomas G. Bornman^5,6, Renata Dobrucka², Michał Gloc² and Krzysztof J. Kurzydłowski³

¹ Institute of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland

² Warsaw University of Technology, Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Warszawa, Poland

³ Bialystok University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Białystok, Poland

⁴ Goethe University, Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

⁵ South African Environmental Observation Network, Elwandle Coastal Node, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa

⁶ Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa

Abstract

Siliceous exoskeletons of diatoms (frustules) provide protection against environmental and biological factors, including waves and currents in the surf and coastal zone, osmotic pressure in the tidal flats and the grazing activity of zooplankton and zoobenthos. With its intricate 3D patterns, diatomaceous biosilica is an interesting research subject of applied sciences, including materials science and chemistry. Biological, environmental, and applied aspects of diatomaceous exoskeletons pose questions concerning their mechanical strength and protective role against ...