This comprehensive guide is designed for researchers, professionals, and students looking to deepen their knowledge of diatoms, including detailed information on diatom photosynthesis regulation at the molecular scale, as well as their significant ecological roles, all aimed at promoting sustainable advancements and the safeguarding of aquatic ecosystems.
Diatoms exert an immense influence on the ecosystem of Earth due to their remarkable abundance and species diversity. Thriving in diverse habitats spanning the oceans, intertidal benthic zones, saline and freshwater environments, and even terrestrial niches like moist soil, forests, and caves, they play an integral role. Diatoms alone account for around 20% of the oxygen generated by photosynthesis, comparable to the combined productivity of tropical rainforests worldwide, while their primary production can reach 40-45% in marine ecosystems. Nevertheless, in contrast to the extensive research on macroscopic photosynthetic organisms, investigations in this domain remain comparatively limited, despite the role of diatoms in global biogeochemical processes.
This book presents an exhaustive review of the subject matter, encompassing a wide spectrum of topics ranging from the intricate molecular mechanisms of diatom photosynthesis and light absorption to the dominant role of diatoms as primary producers within ecological frameworks. Beyond this, the book delves into the practical implications stemming from diatoms and their photosynthetic productivity. A strong emphasis is placed on the importance of fundamental research in deepening our understanding of the natural world around us.
Diatoms Photosynthesis provides readers with a
- comprehensive guide to understanding the fundamentals of diatom photosynthesis and their ecological significance in aquatic ecosystems;
- a guide to the potential of diatom-derived products for sustainable technologies;
- a roadmap from diatom photosynthesis to implications in applied sciences;
- a bridge to span the gap between fundamental research on diatoms and their practical applications.
Audience
This book caters to academic professionals, students, and researchers in the fields of marine biology, ecology, microbiology, and biochemistry. It offers insights and benefits into diatom photosynthesis, diatom physiology, biodiversity, ecosystem health, and sustainable technological advancements.
Johannes W. Goessling, PhD, is a researcher in the Department of Biology, Laboratory for Innovation and Sustainability of Marine Biological Resources, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal. He received his PhD in marine biology from the University of Copenhagen, with a foundational background in biology, specifically focusing on plant physiology and plant ecophysiology. His research is centered on diatom frustules, investigating their interactions with light, giving rise to photonic properties. His research is regularly published in the top journals in the field.
João Serôdio, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Aveiro in Lisbon, Portugal. He received his PhD in biology from the University of Lisbon in 1999. His research focuses on the photobiology and ecophysiology of marine primary producers with a special emphasis on diatoms. He has authored more than 120 articles in international journals and has authored 7 peer-reviewed book chapters.
Johann Lavaud, PhD, is a scientist in the Laboratory for Environmental Marine Sciences at the European Institute for Marine Studies, University of Western Brittany, France. He completed his PhD on the photosynthesis of diatoms in 2002 at the ENS-University of Paris VI. His research focuses on the diversity and productivity of how diatoms are impacted by the environment. His research has been published in more than 80 articles in peer-reviewed international journals.
