What are Diatoms?

About Diatoms:

• These are photosynthetic, single-celled organisms.
• These are microscopic algae and serve as the base of the aquatic food chain.
• They are a major group of algae and form one of the most common forms of phytoplankton.
• Habitat:
  • They are found in almost all aquatic habitats, including lakes, ponds, streams, rivers, and the ocean.
  • Most diatoms live as free-floating cells in the open water, but some live on the bottom (benthos), attached to surfaces such as plants or rocks, or in the bottom sediment.
  • These surface-attached diatoms represent a significant part of the periphyton, which is a mixture of algae, cyanobacteria, microbes, and detritus that is attached to submerged surfaces.
• Due to their sensitivity towards any water chemistry changes, they are excellent indicators of aquatic health.
• Like other algae, diatoms have no leaves, stems, roots, or flowers, but the cell of every diatom contains chlorophyll, the substance that is responsible for the green color of leafy plants.
• They are the only organism on the planet with cell walls composed of transparent, opaline silica.
• Diatom cell walls are ornamented by intricate and striking patterns of silica.
• Each species has a distinct pattern of tiny holes in the cell wall (frustule) through which they absorb nutrients and get rid of waste.
• Diatoms can photosynthesize which means they can convert dissolved carbon dioxide in the water into oxygen that is essential for the survival of fish and other aquatic organisms.
• They also serve as a major source of atmospheric oxygen for the planet, and a key food source for higher organisms in the food chain, such as zooplankton, molluscs, and fish.
• Collectively, they are responsible for generating up to 50% of the oxygen produced globally each year.
• Diatoms also play a crucial role in the nutrient cycling of marine and lake waters.