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Marine diatoms

Marine diatoms

B946/0025 Rights Managed

Credit: JOHN CLEGG/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Caption: Marine diatoms. Light micrograph of an array of marine diatoms, part of the algae family. Diatoms are microscopic unicellular organisms that occur abundantly in marine and freshwater plankton. They form the basis 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 x25 at 35mm size).

Release details: Model release not required. Property release not required.

Keywords: alga, algae, algal, anatomy, detail, details, diatom, diatomite, diatoms, enlarged, light micrograph, marine diatom, marine diatoms, microphotograph, microscope, microscopic, nature, photomicrograph, phytoplankton, plankton, structure, x25

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