Diatom alga. Light micrograph of a diatom alga, Cymbella sp. Diatoms are microscopic, unicellular organisms that occur abundantly in marine and freshw

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Diatom alga. Light micrograph of a diatom alga, Cymbella sp. Diatoms are microscopic, unicellular organisms that occur abundantly in marine and freshwater plankton. They form a major part of the food chain. The body is composed of two halves, which fit together like a tiny pill box. The cell walls contain silica, which is preserved in deposits known as siliceous or diatomaceous earths (ooze). Once hardened into rock it is called diatomite. The high porosity of this rock enables it to be used for filters, fillers and as a mild abrasive. Magnification: x160 at 35mm size.

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Size: 3792px × 2480px
Photo credit: © ERIC GRAVE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: alga, algae, algal, botany, cymbella, diatom, diatoms, light, micrograph, nature, phytoplankton, plankton, plant, sp., type