Diatom. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of detail from a Coscinodiscus sp. diatom. Diatoms may be extremely abundant in both freshwater an

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Diatom. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of detail from a Coscinodiscus sp. diatom. Diatoms may be extremely abundant in both freshwater and marine ecosystems; it is estimated that 20% to 25% of all organic carbon fixation on the planet is carried out by diatoms. This is possible because they contain chlorophyll. Diatoms are a major food resource for marine and freshwater microorganisms and animal larvae, and are a major source of atmospheric oxygen. A unique feature of diatom cells is that they are enclosed within a cell wall made of silica (hydrated silicon dioxide) called a frustule. Magnification: x8000 when printed at 10 centimetres wide. Specimen courtesy of Mike Allen, Plymouth Marine Laboratory.

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Size: 4572px × 3924px
Photo credit: © STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, colored, coloured, coscinodiscus, design, diatom, diatoms, diversity, ecological, ecology, fauna, frustule, frustules, invertebrate, invertebrates, marine, multiple, nature, pattern, phytoplankton, plankton, planktonic, plant, rounded, sem, single-celled, unicellular