Abstract
In this paper we demonstrate how the photonic properties of a diatom can be altered bygrowth with a metal pollutant. Both the optical and physical properties of the silicafrustule of the diatom Coscinodiscus wailesii were affected by the presence of nickelsulfate in sea water. It was found that a sublethal concentration of the metal bothsignificantly modified the size of the pores of the valves and quenched the intrinsicPL of the amorphous silica. Since cytoplasmic structures may be involved indetermining the frustule architecture, we also present TEMs of nickel-grown diatomsand show the affected organelles. The ability to modify the properties of thefrustule shows that mechanisms exist for the alteration of existing structures innature to optimize specific characteristics for exploitation in biotechnologicalapplications.
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