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Diatom
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images & Videos
Microscope view of assorted diatoms with varied geometric shapes and translucent blue and gold coloring, living among sea ice crystals in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Highly magnified view of a single diatom, showing a circular, symmetrical structure with intricate radial patterns and a textured, translucent surface. diatom
How phytoplankton function and survive in the ocean
diatoms; radiolarians Algae exist in many different shapes and sizes and have complex evolutionary relationships with other organisms, including fungi and protists. One example of a group of algae that exist in different shapes are the diatoms (class Bacillariophyceae), which may be round (centric) or elongated (pennate). Species of diatoms in the genus Stauroneis are pennate. Figure 2: Unicellular and colonial algae. (From top) Drapomaldia, Stauroneis, Hyalotheca, Diatom, Phaeoplaca, Bambosina. plankton Diagram showing the cycling of silica in the marine environment, with arrows illustrating processes such as river influx, inorganic adsorption, biological fixation by radiolarian and diatom skeletons, dissolution, deposition as opaline skeletal debris, upwelling, and hydrothermal activity, all within labeled ocean zones. Illustration of an ocean food chain showing sunlight supporting one-celled life like dinoflagellates and diatoms, which are eaten by shrimplike copepods. These are consumed by small fish, which are then eaten by mackerel, followed by tuna, and finally a large shark at the top of the food web.

Diatom: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

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  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Article title updated for style. Nov 06, 2026
Modified link of Web site: The Royal Society Publishing - A review on diatom biosilicification and their adaptive ability to uptake other metals into their frustules for potential application in bone repair. Oct 02, 2026
Add new Web site: Nature Communications - Patterns and drivers of diatom diversity and abundance in the global ocean. May 07, 2026
Add new Web site: CORE - Architecture and material properties of diatom shells provide effective mechanical protection (PDF). Oct 11, 2024
Add new Web site: Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research - Diatoms: Fundamentals and Applications. Aug 29, 2024
Add new Web site: University of Hawaiʻi - School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology - The life of diatoms in the world�s oceans. May 15, 2024
Add new Web site: PNAS - Insights into global diatom distribution and diversity in the world?s ocean. Mar 08, 2024
Add new Web site: Academia - Diatom Taxonomy and Identification Keys. Jan 25, 2024
Add new Web site: Frontiers - Diatoms Biotechnology: Various Industrial Applications for a Greener Tomorrow. Nov 03, 2023
Add new Web site: Indian Academy of Sciences - The Diatoms (PDF). Sep 20, 2023
Add new Web site: Mline Library - Diatoms, unicellular photosynthetic algae. Jul 28, 2023
Add new Web site: The Royal Society Publishing - A review on diatom biosilicification and their adaptive ability to uptake other metals into their frustules for potential application in bone repair. Jun 15, 2023
Add new Web site: The Royal Society Publishing - Philosophical Transactions B - The evolution of diatoms and their biogeochemical functions. Apr 20, 2023
Add new Web site: Biology LibreTexts - Diatoms. Jan 09, 2023
Add new Web site: Diatoms of North America - Diatoms. Feb 15, 2019
Add new Web site: Columbia University - Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory - Diatom Basics. Feb 14, 2019
Added diatom images. Apr 26, 2017
Added cross-references. Apr 26, 2017
Add new Web site: Tree of Life Project - Diatom. Dec 30, 2016
Add new Web site: Natural History Museum - Diatom. Jan 31, 2014
Add new Web site: University College London - MIRACLE - Diatom. Mar 04, 2013
Video describing the ecological role of diatoms added. Sep 08, 2011
Added new Web site: How Stuff Works - Science - Diatom. Feb 06, 2009
Article revised and updated. Nov 02, 2007
Added new Web site: None. Jan 09, 2007
Added new Web site: Indiana University - Diatom. Jan 09, 2007
Added new Web site: Indiana University Biology Department - Diatom Home Page. Jun 06, 2006
Article revised. Apr 07, 1999
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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