Diatomaceous Earth. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of diatomaceous earth consisting of fossilized diatoms. This sample is from Loch Cuith

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Diatomaceous Earth. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of diatomaceous earth consisting of fossilized diatoms. This sample is from Loch Cuithir on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Diatoms are single-celled planktonic algae. The diatoms create a shell (frustule) of silica around themselves for protection and support which is readily fossilised. Rock formed from diatom shells is called diatomite or diatomaceous earth. It is used industrially as a filter for purifying liquids. Magnification x290 at 10cm wide.

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Size: 4800px × 4800px
Photo credit: © POWER AND SYRED/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: algae, cuithir, diatom, diatomaceous, diatomite, earth, electron, fossilized, fossils, frustule, isle, lock, micrograph, microscope, plankton, scanning, scotland, sem, shell, silica, single-celled, skye