Diatoms. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of two diatoms (navicula sp.). Diatoms may be extremely abundant in both freshwater and marine ec

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Diatoms. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of two diatoms (navicula sp.). 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: x500 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.

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Size: 4572px × 4139px
Photo credit: © STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: alga, algae, algal, aquatic, bacillariophyceae, bacillariophyta, biology, botany, centric, circular, colorized, diatom, diatomaceous, diatomophyceae, electron, enhanced, eukaryotic, flora, frustule, melosira, microbiology, micrograph, mineralized, phytoplankton, plankton, planktonic, scanning, sem, silica, single, sulcata, unicellular