Diatoms are aquatic microscopic organisms that can be found everywhere on the planet, from the bottom of the sea to the top of the mountains, on all continents and ecosystems. Wherever there is the tiniest drop of water, there are diatoms.
Diatoms produce a protective shell that has its own name, it is called frustula. Frustules are made of Silica, a natural glass-like material that gives them beautiful geometric shapes. Thanks to some of the frustules characteristics, diatom sediments from the bottom of the sea are extracted to be used in the production of some very common items in our homes, like in toothpaste and in make-up.
Diatoms are also extremely important for the balance of the ocean ecosystem. They are the favourite food for many animals, including krill. But probably the most important thing to know about diatoms, is that thanks to their photosynthesis, they produce more than one fifth of the very precious oxygen that we humans and most of other creatures on Earth breath to survive.
Discover more exciting facts about diatoms in our book The hidden world of diatoms.
