The traditional view considers aluminum as a non-essential metal in biological systems. Most studies have primarily focused on its toxic effects on plants and animals at high concentrations, while the impact of aluminum in seawater on marine organisms has received less attention. However, recent studies have found that aluminum may significantly affect the growth performance of phytoplankton.

We recently analyzed the accumulation and speciation of aluminum in diatoms, as well as its effects on photosynthesis, the cell-wall properties, elemental composition, and sedimentation rates of diatom cells. Our results indicate that aluminum is distributed in the diatom frustules in the form of tetravalent and hexavalent states. Aluminum has a certain impact on the growth and photosynthetic performance of diatoms, but this depends on the duration of aluminum exposure. The concentration of aluminum in seawater can significantly alter the mechanical properties of the cell wall. This study suggests that diatoms can accumulate aluminum and that it can affect diatom physiology to some extent. However, the specific biological role of aluminum in diatoms requires further investigation.
 

diatom, aluminum, physiology, phytoplankton