Download Phytoplanktons in Different Silicate Solutions

Rutgers symposium on lunar
settlements
3-8 June 2007
Rutgers University
A simple differential production method
of silicon utilizing organisms for future
use in lunar settlements
Satadal Das
Peerless Hospital &
B. K. Roy Research Centre
Kolkata, India
Silicon utilizing organisms are probably
the fittest living creatures having a
capacity of survival in extraterrestrial
situations where they can tolerate more
environmental stress and strain than
their equals on Earth. One can also
classify them according to their silicon
utilizing capacity.
Abundance of chemicals on
earth and moon
50
45
40
35
30
%
Earth
25
Moon
20
15
10
5
0
Oxygen
Silicon
Aluminium
Iron
Calcium
Magnesium
Others
It is well known that organisms with high silicon
content can survive in extremes of temperature,
pressure and radiation. In fact, Reynolds described
temperature tolerance of silicon compounds in living
creatures as early as in 1893. Thus organisms with high
silicon content can aptly be utilized within artificial
environments in extraterrestrial situations. There are
distinct Silicon accumulator plants like Cyperaceae,
Graminae, Juncaceae and Moquiles spp. Organisms
like marine phytoplanktons, marine brown algae,
‘horsetails’, foraminifera and porifera contain enough
silicon, in the range of 60,000-4,37,000 mg per kg dry
matter, and bacteria contain about 180 mg silicon per
Kg dry matter.
There is a long list of silicon utilizing organisms.
PROTOZOA
 Chrysomonadida
 Silicoflagellida
 Heterochlorida
 Ebriida
 Lobosia
 Arcellinida, Arcella, Difflugia
 Gromiida
PROTOZOA
 Radiolaria
 Porulosida
 Oculosida
 Centrohelida
 Desmothoracida
SPONGES (PORIFERA)
Hexactinellida
Euplectella (Venus’s flower basket)
Hyalonema ( Glass rope sponge)
Pheronema
Demospongia
Cliona
Poterion
Pachychalina
Spongilla
ALGAE
Division
Class
Order
Class
Class
: Chrysophycophyta
: Chrysophyceae (golden–brown algae)
: Rhizochrysidales
Chrysamoeba
Ochromonas
: Bacillariophyceae (yellow–green algae)
Diatoms
: Xanthophyceae (yellow–green algae)
Vaucheria
LICHENS –All variety, Crustose, Foliose, Frutiose.
FUNGI




Aspergillus
Penicillium
Alternaria
Cladosporium







PLANTS
Dryland grasses such as oats and rye
Wetland Grasses
Bamboo e.g. Bambusa glaucesscens
Chlorophytum comosum (Spider Plant)
Anthurium scherzerianum (Flemingo Lily)
Calathea makoyana (Peacock Plant)
Aechmea fasciata (Silver Vase)










Spathipyllum (Peace Lily)
Nephrolepsis exaltata (Boston Fern)
Asparagus seteceus (Asparagus Fern)
Equisetum arvense (Horsetail)
Bambusa glaucescens (Bamboo)
Agave Americana (Century Plant)
Chamaedorea elegans (Parlor Palm)
Codiaeum variegatium (Croton)
Howea forsteriana (Kentia Palm)
Schefflera actinophylla (Umbrella Tree)
















Syngonium podophyllum (Arrowhead Plant)
Hedera helix (Ivy)
Cordyline terminalis (Ti plant) good luck plant
Hedera helix (Tree Ivy, Pia)
Hypoestes phyllostachya (Pink Splash)
Gynura aurantiaca (Purple Passion)
Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig)
Philodendron scandens (Philodendron)
Acalypha pendula (Red-hot cat’s tail)
Aglaonema commutatum (Chinese Evergreen)
Cyperus alternifolius (Umbrella Sedge)
Peperomia clusifolia (Baby Rubber Plant)
Epipremnum aureum (Pothos)
Dieffenbachia maculata (Dumb Cane)
Dracaena deremensis (Dragon Tree)
Dracaena marginata (Dragon Tree)








Rice Oryza sativa
Sugarcane
Wheat
Citrus
Strawberry
Cucumber
Tomato
Rose
BACTERIA
Almost all gram positive bacteria
There are some similarities between carbon
and silicon as they both belong to period IV
of the periodic table. Although carbon
compounds are abundantly found in living
creatures on Earth and they are the basis of
evolution of life on earth, there was at least
a minor role of silicon compounds in the
development of the primitive forms of life
when the earth was quite inhospitable for
the development of carbon based life.
Trevors (1997) Bacterial evolution and silicon. Antonie Van
Leeuwenhoek, 71(3):271-6.
Silicon utilizing organisms when cultivated
on medium prepared with carbon free
constituents containing little nitrogen and
phosphates they could grow better after
repeated subcultures probably with the help
of a trace amount of carry-over carbon
during inoculation procedures.
When silicon level was studied by
electron prove microanalyser after
thorough washing steps we find that
silicon in cells grown in carbon free
silicate medium was 24.9% while when
they were on conventional carbon based
medium they contain only 0.84% silicon.
In a series of studies by us we find that many
gram-positive bacteria and fungi can grow on
silicate medium prepared with carbon free
chemicals. In almost all cases initial growth
was earlier on silicate medium, however,
further growth was not good on carbon- free
silicate medium.
Das et al (1992) Metabolism of silicon as a probable
pathogenecity factor for Mycobacterium and Nocardia Sp. Indian
J. Medical Research (A) 95,59 – 65.
Das S (1995) “ Silicon utilization” – an important pathogenecity
marker of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The Japanese J. Clinical
Pathology, 43 (Supple.), 261.
Das et al (2000) Role of silicon in modulating the internal
morphology and growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Indian J.
Tuberculosis. 47: 2000, 87-91.
Organisms
(Gram positive
bacteria can
grow on carbonfree silicate
medium)
Mycobacterium
marinum
Average no. of
days required for
appearance of
growth on
carbon free
silicate medium
Average no. of
days required for
appearance of
growth on
carbon-based
routine medium
1
1
M.scrofulaceum
3
10
M. flavescens
3
5
M. gordonae
3
3
M. avium
3
10
M. intracellulare
10
10
M. terrae
5
5
M. triviale
5
5
M. xenopi
10
12
M. fortuitum
1
1
M. smegmatis
2
1
M. tuberculosis
3
7
Bacillus subtilis
1
1
B. pumilus
1
1
Lactobacillus
casei
1
1
Streptomyces
rimosus
5
1
S. venezuale
7
1
Nocardia
asteroides
3
2
N. braziliensis
3
1
N. caviae
3
1
Penicillium
notatum
1
1
Aspergillus spp.
1
1
Rhizopus spp.
10
1
Trochophyton
rubrum
3
1
T. violaceum
3
1
T. tonsurans
3
1
T. mentagrophytes
3
1
Fungi when grown on carbon free
medium they produced peculiar
morphological patterns which are
hitherto unknown to us.
Penicillium
spp.
Aspergillus
spp.
Aspergillus
spp.
Mucor spp.
Penicillium
spp.
Epidermophyton
spp.
Trichophyton
spp.
Streptomyces
spp.
Epidermophyton
spp.
Streptomyces
spp.
Silicon utilizing microorganisms can grow in
anaerobic condition. They can tolerate different
types of radiations. It was found that although
there are some metabolic changes in silicon
utilizing microorganisms in radiation, its gives
a positive impact on the nutritional quality
owing to reduction of C:P ratio.
Commercial gardening experiment in
international space stations indicated that
seed to seed life cycle is possible in
space. Plants may help in bioregenerative
life support system to perform chemistry
of life support. Plants not only release
precious oxygen but they also help in
recycle drinking water.
Microgravity situation may induce less
lignin formation in plants but this will not
prevent growth of these organisms
Si
li c
o
in g
na
m
r
fo
nd T i
ta n i u m fo r T er r a
It was also found that
when titanium is present
the growth of silicon
utilizing organisms were
more on solid medium
while the growth was
less in liquid medium.
This creates an unique
opportunity on lunar
surface
where
both
silicon and titanium are
present.
Silicon utilizing organisms can thrive in sodium
metasilicate (SM) solution as high as up to 4%
concentration. To confine common silicon utilizing
organisms from the environment for future use in
lunar settlements one has to prepare SM solutions
of four different concentrations- 0.5%, 1%, 2% and
4%. After preparation of such solutions in plastic
containers one has to keep them in a greenhouse
for as long as 5 years. Different varieties of
organisms will grow in different concentrationsfrom a light green color growth in 0.5% SM
solution, yellow color growth in 1% SM solution,
orange color growth in 2% SM solution and a
scanty whitish color growth in 4% SM solution.
Besides many unknown microorganisms,
algae are present in every solution but are
of different kinds. Diatoms of diverse
varieties are found in profound numbers in
0.5% and 2% SM solutions; plenty
unknown acid-fast bacilli are also found in
1% SM solution
Growth in 0.5% Silicate Solution
Growth in 2% Silicate Solution
Algal Growth in Control and 0.5%
Silicate Solution
Control
0.5% silicate
Algal Growth in 1.0% and 2.0%
Silicate Solutions
1.0% silicate
2.0% silicate
Diatoms in 0.5% and 2.0%
Silicate Solutions
0.5% silicate
2.0% silicate
Anaerobic Growth Mainly in 0.5% and
1.0% Silicate Solution
Control
0.5%
1.0%
2.0%
4.0%
Unidentified Anaerobic Bacteria in
Silicate Solution
Unidentified Acid-fast Bacillary
Growth in 1% Silicate Solution
Fungal Growth in Control, 0.5%, 1.0%,
2.0%, 4.0% Silicate Solutions
Scanty Growth of Unknown
Microorganisms in 4% Silicate Solution
Control
Silicate
0.5%
Silicate
1.0%
Silicate
2.0%
Phytoplankton
other than
diatoms
1.00
0.75
0.25
Diatoms
1.00
4.00
(Macro)
1.00
4.00
(Micro)
0.25
Gram positive
bacteria
1.00
1.00
2.00
0.50
0.25
Coliform
1.00
0.75
0.60
0.42
0.12
0.25
Silicate
4.0%
0.12
Control
Silicate
0.5%
─
─
Anaerobic
bacteria
1.00
4.00
Biofilms with
green algae
1.00
Rhizopus
Acid-fast bacilli
Main fungi
Silicate
1.0%
Silicate
2.0%
Silicate
4.0%
─
─
4.00
1.00
─
0.75
0.25
─
─
Aspergi
llus
Aspergi
llus
Aspergi
llus
─
Plenty
Control
Silicate
0.5%
Nitrate
1.00
1.22
Sulfate
1.00
1.53
Chloride
1.00
Iron
1.00
Silicate
1.0%
Silicate
2.0%
Silicate
4.0%
1.72
1.55
1.58
1.42
1.65
0.96
0.94
1.12
4.06
1.98
1.18
3.78
0.32
1.17
pH changes in Silicate solutions
after Growth of Silicon-utilising Microorganisms
14
12
10
8
pH
6
4
2
0
Control
Silicate
0.5%
Silicate
1.0%
Silicate
2.0%
Silicate
4.0%
Phytoplanktons in Different
Silicate Solutions
80
70
60
%
50
Green algae
Brown algae
40
Blue green algae
Red algae
30
Relative diatom
masses
20
10
0
Control
Silicate
0.5%
Silicate
1.0%
Silicate
2.0%
Silicate
4.0%
Chemical Changes in Silicate Solutions
after Growth of Silicon-utilising Microorganisms
800
700
600
Chloride
500
mg/L
Sulfate
Nitrate -Nitrogen
400
Iron
300
200
100
0
Control
Silicate
0.5%
Silicate
1.0%
Silicate
2.0%
Silicate
4.0%
The south pole for our primary lunar settlement
A simple protocol may be followed to
use these silicate-utilizing organisms in
lunar settlements. After providing
minimum essential requirements for life
in lunar extraterrestrial situation, these
organisms may be utilized. Otherwise
the protocol may be followed directly
on a lunar crater to allow the organisms
to find out a suitable zone for their
growth.
Lunar Crater Protocol :
Step 1 : Microterraforming on moon
In the initial venture antibiosis between
various species should be prevented.
Thus phytoplankton should be used
before zooplanktons. Diatoms of Eueurytherm variety of Nitzschia and
Chaetoceros group may be selected
initially. Then golden algae grown in 2%
and then algae grown in 0.5%SM
solutions may be scattered to boost up
the algal inhabitants.
Other siliconutilizing algae
Silicon-utilizing
bacteria
Eu-eurytherm siliconutilizing algae
Diatoms
Step 1a : Eu-eurytherm phase 3-12 months
 Nitzschia Subcurvata
 N. Curta
 N. Cylindrus
 N. Prolongatoides
 N. Pneudonana
 Chaetoceros Dichaeta
 C. Neglectus
Step 1b : High silicon utilizing algal
phase 3-12 months
Algae grown in 2.0% silicate
Step 1c : Low silicon utilizing algal phase
3-12 months
Algae grown in 0.5% silicate
Step 1d : Lichens and gram-positive
bacterial phase 3-12 months
Sub cultivations even blind passage may
be done if necessary for 5-10 times
during extending steps. This is because
active and passive dispersal mechanism
will be less on lunar surface
Step 2 : Macroterraforming of moon
Important silicon utilizing plants
(specific silicon utilizing strains) like
horsetails, grasses, lilies, silver vase,
spider plant and following that
organisms (only extremophile variety)
like rotifers, tardigrades, nematodes,
protozoa, fungi and other bacteria
may be added which will live in close
association of small silicon utilizing
plants and this process may continue.
Dracaena
deremensis
(dragon tree)
Giant Equisetum
arvense (horsetail)
Anthurium
scherzerianum
(Flemingo lily)
Calathea makoyana
(peacock plant)
Aglaonema
commutatum (Chinese
evergreen)
Cordyline terminalis (Ti
plant) good luck plant
Chlorophytum
comosum
(spider plant)
Step 2a :
 High Silicon metabolizing plants phase 1-5
years
 Dryland grasses such as oats and rye
 Bamboo e.g. Bambusa Glaucesscens
 Chlorophytum comosum (Spider Plant)
 Anthurium scherzerianum (Flemingo Lily)
 Calathea makoyana (Peacock Plant)
 Aechmea fasciata (Silver Vase)
 Spathipyllum ( Peace Lily)
Step 2a :
 Equisetum arvense (Horsetail)
 Schefflera actinophylla (Umbrella Tree)
 Hedera helix (Ivy)
 Cordyline terminalis (Ti plant) good luck plant
 Dracaena deremensis (Dragon tree)
 Dracaena marginata (Dragon tree)
Step 2b :
Silicon accumulator plant phase –
continued phase in close association of all
previous organisms
Rice Oryza sativa
Sugarcane
Wheat
Citrus
Strawberry
Cucumber
Tomato
Rose etc. etc.
Step 2c : Introduction of rotifers,
tardigrades, nematodes, protozoa.
Artificial support protocol :
In this protocol silicon utilizing organisms
may be used to support growth of non
silicon-utilizing organisms and to produce a
biosphere in artificial support situations.As it
is not practicable to carry all essential
nutrients for lunar settlements creation of
such biosphere is essential for future
survival of inhabitants in lunar settlements.
Regolith
containing top
Iron frame with thick
glasses inside the
outer border of
regolith top
Solar energy lights
may provide
occasional
exposure in long
darkness
Welcome to the Moon