Article
Polymer Science
Vadim V. Potapov, Angel A. Cerdan, Denis S. Gorev
Summary: A numerical simulation method was developed to study the polymerization of OSA and the formation of SiO2 nanoparticles in hydrothermal solution. The results showed that temperature, pH, initial concentration, and ionic strength were important parameters that affected particle formation. The simulation results were validated with experimental data, providing guidance for controlling the product properties.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Marine Georges, Amel Bourguiba, Mohamed Boutouil, Daniel Chateigner, Orianne Jolly, Pascal Claquin
Summary: This study evaluated the ability of the benthic diatom C. closterium to use mortar from artificial marine structures as a source of silicon for their metabolism and growth. The study found that the diatoms were able to utilize dissolved silica from the mortar to synthesize their cell wall and adapt to limited silicon conditions.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Anatoliy L. Drozdov, Lyudmila A. Zemnukhova, Alexandr E. Panasenko, Nataliya Polyakova, Arseniy B. Slobodyuk, Alexandr Yu Ustinov, Nina A. Didenko, Sergey A. Tyurin
Summary: The study compared the microscopic morphology and chemical characteristics of Hexactinellids and freshwater sponges, finding no fundamental differences in the chemical composition of their spicules, which can all serve as starting materials for creating new composite silicon-organic functional materials.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Yasunori Saitoh, Michihiro Suga
Summary: Silicon is beneficial for plant growth and production, particularly in rice. Plant roots take up silicon in the form of silicic acid through silicic acid channels. Understanding the crystal structures of these channels and their mechanism of silicic acid permeation is crucial for the development of secure and sustainable crops.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Carlos N. Andrade, Thomas J. Lapen, Henry S. Chafetz
Summary: Silicon isotopic compositions of marine authigenic and biogenic silica deposits are important indicators for studying Si cycling in the Earth's oceans. Recent studies have proposed a predicted range for dissolved silicic acid (d30SiDSi) based on calculations assuming a fractionation factor (-3.8%o) between sponges and silicic acid in ancient ocean waters. However, new data suggest that a more accurate calculation of the fractionation factor (D30Sis) for ancient sponges can be achieved by applying corrections based on Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics. Applying this correction, the d30SiDSi of Paleozoic open shelf environments is estimated to be between +2.0%o and +2.3%o. Similarly, applying the model to mid-Cenozoic coral fossils results in an estimation of ocean's d30SiDSi ranging from +0.8%o to +2.9%o. These findings highlight the strong influence of D30Si on the calculated values of d30SiDSi and demonstrate the potential of these approaches in understanding ocean water composition.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Muhammad Nadeem, Muhammad Anwar-ul-Haq, Muhammad Saqib, Muhammad Maqsood, Zhenli He
Summary: Salinity stress has a detrimental effect on wheat in terms of growth, physiology, and mineral nutrition. However, the use of silicic acid as a silicon source can improve wheat growth, yield, and antioxidant enzymatic activity under salinity stress.
JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE AND PLANT NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Ye Liu, Sha Feng, Yun Qian, Huilin Huang, Larry K. Berg
Summary: In this study, a two-stage procedure approach is used to identify four weather regimes (WRs) that influence wind resources over North America. The WR-based reconstruction explains up to 40% of the monthly variance of power production over the western United States, and the explanatory power of WRs generally increases with the increase of timescales.
NPJ CLIMATE AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anh M. Nguyen, Nga T. T. Pham, Ly N. Nguyen, Anh T. Q. Nguyen, Huan X. Nguyen, Dung D. Nguyen, Tien M. Tran, Anh D. Nguyen, Phong D. Tran, Minh N. Nguyen
Summary: This study explores the potential influence of silicic acid on the surface charge and dispersibility of biochar, finding that silicic acid can increase the negative surface charge of biochar and favor its dispersion state; The density and particle size of biochar also affect its dispersibility and aggregation rate.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Lexi Henny, Chris D. Thorncroft, Huang-Hsiung Hsu, Lance F. Bosart
Summary: The study reveals that extreme rainfall in Taiwan varies significantly across different seasons and regions, with typhoon season producing the most intense rainfall. Positive trends in extreme rainfall are most pronounced in winter and spring in the northern region, with the mei-yu season showing significant increases over the southwestern mountain slopes. Typhoon season accounts for the largest fraction of the observed annual extreme rainfall trend, with changes exceeding 1% per year in some areas.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Luke D. Fannin, Elise J. Laugier, Adam van Casteren, Sabrina L. Greenwood, Nathaniel J. Dominy
Summary: Silica is important for terrestrial plant life and geochemical cycling. It is also relevant to the evolution of mammalian teeth, but there is debate over the type of siliceous particle that has had the strongest selective pressure on tooth morphology. This study presents a protocol for separating and quantifying siliceous matter in the diets of herbivores, which can detect differences in silica ingestion at species or population level. The study also found meaningful variation within the digestive tracts of cows, supporting the hypothesis of ruminal fluid 'washing' of siliceous grit. The protocol shows promise for testing competing hypotheses on dental traits evolution.
METHODS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Andreas Pack, Eike-Matthias Bultmann, Michael Tatzel, Joachim Reitner
Summary: This study presents a laser fluorination technique for the measurement of triple silicon isotope ratios, which can provide valuable information on fractionation mechanisms and can be used as a proxy for seawater silicon isotopes. The high precision measurements of the triple silicon isotope ratios reveal the fractionation processes of silicon isotopes in various samples, including reference materials and sponge spicules.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Uppalige Shwethakumari, Thimmappa Pallavi, Nagabovanalli B. Prakash
Summary: The foliar nutrition of silicic acid can significantly enhance the yield, seed quality, and nutrient uptake of soybean, but the effectiveness varies with crop duration varieties.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Natalia Llopis Monferrer, Tristan Biard, Miguel M. Sandin, Fabien Lombard, Marc Picheral, Amanda Elineau, Lionel Guidi, Aude Leynaert, Paul J. Treguer, Fabrice Not
Summary: Siliceous Rhizaria play a significant role in carbon and silicon biogeochemical cycles, but a comprehensive evaluation of their contribution is challenging due to their taxonomic diversity and wide size range. This study used imaging and molecular tools to assess the diversity and contribution of silicified Rhizaria in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea. The results suggest a potential link between gene copies number and cell volume, reconciling molecular and imaging data.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bert van den Berg, Conrado Pedebos, Jani R. Bolla, Carol V. Robinson, Arnaud Basle, Syma Khalid
Summary: This study presents the X-ray crystal structure of the OsNIP2;1 channel from rice, revealing insights into its regulation of silicic acid transport. The results are expected to advance structure-function studies of metalloid porins.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Daniele Montini, Claudio Cara, Massimiliano D'Arienzo, Barbara Di Credico, Silvia Mostoni, Roberto Nistico, Luca Pala, Roberto Scotti
Summary: In recent years, there have been significant efforts to transition from a linear to a circular economy, maintaining the value of products, materials, resources, and waste as much as possible. The re-utilization of industrial and agricultural waste into value-added products, such as nanostructured siliceous materials, has emerged as an effective waste management strategy and sustainable model. Nanoporous silica, with its tunable pore dimensions, high specific surface areas, tailorable structure, and easy post-functionalization, has attracted attention in various applications. This review presents recent progress on the synthesis of siliceous materials from different types of waste, analyzing factors influencing the size and morphology of the final product, and discussing applications in wastewater/gas treatment and catalysis.
Article
Limnology
Manuel Maldonado, Lindsay Beazley, Maria Lopez-Acosta, Ellen Kenchington, Benoit Casault, Ulrike Hanz, Furu Mienis
Summary: The biogeochemical cycling of silicon is crucial for the ecological functioning of the ocean, with Vazella pourtalesii sponges in the aphotic zone of the central Scotian Shelf in Canada playing a significant role in silicon utilization and cycling. Despite individual low rates of silicic acid consumption, the massive sponge population leads to substantial annual consumption and accumulation of biogenic silica, with a portion being recycled as silicic acid before permanent burial. This silica-silicic acid turnover enriches the bottom water of the central Scotian Shelf, sustaining a feedback mechanism that supports the long-term persistence of the sponge aggregations.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anna de Kluijver, Martijn C. Bart, Dick van Oevelen, Jasper M. de Goeij, Sally P. Leys, Sandra R. Maier, Manuel Maldonado, Karline Soetaert, Sander Verbiest, Jack J. Middelburg
Summary: This study quantifies the carbon and nitrogen fluxes within the deep-sea sponge Geodia barretti, revealing dissolved organic matter as the main energy source and a net ratio of 0.77-0.81 for CO2 released to O-2 consumed. Metabolic rates in sponges vary with body size, with larger sponges showing lower specific rates despite higher overall metabolic patterns.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Francesca Strano, Valerio Micaroni, Simon K. Davy, Manuel Maldonado, James J. Bell
Summary: This study characterized the reproduction mode and early life stages of the sponge Crella incrustans in temperate Pacific waters, revealing it to be a simultaneous hermaphrodite with internal fertilization, asynchronous development, and brooded embryos. Under laboratory conditions, 94.3% of larvae settled within 2 days and metamorphosed into functional settlers within a week.
INVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manuel Maldonado, Maria Lopez-Acosta, Kathrin Busch, Beate M. Slaby, Kristina Bayer, Lindsay Beazley, Ute Hentschel, Ellen Kenchington, Hans Tore Rapp
Summary: Research on different species of hexactinellid sponges shows significant variations in microbial nutrient fluxes, with V. pourtalesii microbiota utilizing various pathways to produce ammonium that fosters sponge growth but also leads to consumption of large amounts of ammonium from seawater, impacting the surrounding ecosystem.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biology
Tyler J. Carrier, Manuel Maldonado, Lara Schmittmann, Lucia Pita, Thomas C. G. Bosch, Ute Hentschel
Summary: This article integrates embryology and microbiology to review the transmission of symbiotic microorganisms in marine sponges. The study finds that vertical transmission is common but not universal, and that transmission occurs during specific developmental stages. Additionally, the microbial abundance in sponges influences the properties of the developmental microbiome.
Article
Fisheries
Amanda Schadeberg, Eleanor Ford, Alina M. Wieczorek, Louise C. Gammage, Maria Lopez-Acosta, Ivana Buselic, Timotej Turk Dermastia, Marcos Fontela, Cristina Galobart, Natalia Llopis Monferrer, Marek Lubosny, Stefania Piarulli, Giuseppe Suaria
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted marine early-career researchers (ECRs), exacerbating existing challenges and hindering their success and well-being. The disruption caused by the pandemic has affected networking opportunities, practical experience, and publication production for marine ECRs.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Limnology
Maria Lopez-Acosta, Manuel Maldonado, Jacques Grall, Axel Ehrhold, Celia Sitja, Cristina Galobart, Fiz F. Perez, Aude Leynaert
Summary: In coastal systems, the contribution of diatoms to the silicon cycle is well-known, while the contribution of benthic silicifiers such as sponges has rarely been studied. This study quantified the silicon fluxes and stocks of sponge fauna in the Bay of Brest, France. The findings indicate that sponge silicon stocks are much larger than diatom stocks and have a slower turnover rate. However, it is unclear whether the silicon budget of the Bay is at steady state.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria Lopez-Acosta, Clemence Potel, Morgane Gallinari, Fiz F. Perez, Aude Leynaert
Summary: Recent studies have indicated that sponges are also important in the marine silica cycle. They accumulate large stocks of biogenic silica and undergo intra-annual changes in their silicon stocks. A year-long study was conducted on the effect of nudibranch predation on sponge population and it was found that after 5 months of predation, sponge biomass decreased by 95% due to nudibranch predation. However, sponges were able to partially recover within 7 months through rapid growth and assimilation of dissolved silicon.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manuel Maldonado, Maria Lopez-Acosta, Samuel Abalde, Isabel Martos, Hermann Ehrlich, Aude Leynaert
Summary: The dissolution of biogenic silica is crucial for silicon regeneration in the ocean, with different sponge skeletons exhibiting varying dissolution rates. However, the overall impact of these differences on the concept of sponge as important silicon sinks remains unclear.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Paul J. Treguer, Jill N. Sutton, Mark Brzezinski, Matthew A. Charette, Timothy Devries, Stephanie Dutkiewicz, Claudia Ehlert, Jon Hawkings, Aude Leynaert, Su Mei Liu, Natalia Llopis Monferrer, Maria Lopez-Acosta, Manuel Maldonado, Shaily Rahman, Lihua Ran, Olivier Rouxel
Summary: The element silicon is crucial for the growth of silicified organisms in marine ecosystems, connecting biogeochemical cycles of various elements. Recent studies have shown that the total silicon inputs and outputs in the ocean are significantly higher than previously estimated, leading to important modifications and updates in understanding the global silicon cycle.