Metal-induced abnormalities in diatom girdle bands

There have been a number of studies that described a serial of type of teratology occurring in different diatom taxa and that highlight the relation between metal concentration and diatom deformities, but this subject still remain not deeply understood. The present study refers to the effect of metal pollution on the diatom Achnanthidium minutissimum s.l. by describing a new form of teratology. The samples were collected in a mine area, Rosia Montana, from Romania. We observed that, exposed to environmental stress, the frustule of diatom cells appeared altered in several ways, with abnormal forms occurring in different diatom species that presented deformed valve outlines, modifications of the raphe canal system, irregular striation or mixed teratologies. In a particular sampling location where A. minutissimum s.l. was identified as the dominant species, 20.53% of the individuals presented an unreported type of deformity. This kind of teratology affects the cingulum, the valvocopula more exactly, by becoming markedly undulate.