Diatom (Auliscus sp.). Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a single diatom. Diatoms may be extremely abundant in both freshwater and marine

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Diatom (Auliscus sp.). Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a single 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 thus 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: x1500 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.

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Size: 4572px × 4010px
Photo credit: © STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: alga, aquatic, auliscus, biological, biology, botanical, botany, carbon, chlorophyll, colored, coloured, diatom, electron, false, false-colored, false-colour, false-coloured, fixation, flora, frustule, microbiological, microbiology, micrograph, microscope, nature, phytoplankton, plankton, planktonic, scanning, sem, silica, single-celled, striae, unicellular