Sea sponge fluid dynamics revealed by supercomputer, as reported in Nature News and Views 21 July 2021, and Nature 21 July 2021, doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03658-1.
Researchers in Italy have used one of the most powerful supercomputers in the world to study the way sea water flows through and around the sea sponge Euplectella which grows on the deep ocean floor. This sea sponge is a “glass sponge”, consisting of a curved hollow cylinder with walls made of a lattice of silica surrounded by layers of cells. The silica lattice is arranged in an intricate pattern of fine struts around square holes which allow water to flow through the sponge. On the outside there are ridges that run in spirals around the main cylinder. The researchers found this structure enabled the sponge to change the flow of ocean currents across the sea bottom, which would otherwise break or dislodge the sponge. They also found the external ridges modify the flow through the central cavity of the sponge so that particles carried in the water remain inside the sponge for longer times, which may help the sponge pick up food particles and enable sperm to find and fertilise eggs.
The scientists also noted that cells on the inner surface of the sponge are covered in flagella – microscopic hair-like projections that can be actively moved by the cells. These could also modify the flow in the sponge interior, but to study that requires an even more powerful supercomputer.
According to Nature News and Views this study reveals “how complex geometries can manipulate fluid flow for multiple functions, including drag reduction, mechanical support and particle filtering. The lessons learnt from this organism could inspire improved multifunctional engineering structures, such as sampling and filtering devices”.
The scientists concluded their results “unveil mechanisms of extraordinary adaptation to live in the abyss”. (Abyss is the deep ocean)
Link: Nature
Editorial Comment: This study took seven scientists and a supercomputer to work out something that a brainless bottom-dwelling organism is able to do. Furthermore, they admit they need a bigger supercomputer to include the action of the flagella in their study.
None of these scientists would claim their supercomputer built itself or wrote the code that makes it work, nor would they believe any multifunction engineering structures will build themselves. It is equally foolish to claim that the sponge built its own structure and organised its cells in such a way as to manipulate the flow of water around and through it by a process of adaptation. If this sponge was not already equipped to live in the abyss, it would have died out.
By implying the sponge equipped itself these scientists are fulfilling God’s Word where it refers to those who called themselves wise, but became fools because they gave honour to created things, rather than the Creator, (Romans 1:20-23). So, don’t be a fool. Use your God-given intelligence to recognise the brilliant and beautiful design of this sponge, learn from it, and put it to good use for the benefit of people and the honour of the Lord Jesus Christ who created it without needing a supercomputer.
Creation Research News 27 July 2021
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