ABSTRACT
Diatomology Diatoms are algae, microscopic unicellular plants, which can be found in saltwater, freshwater, soils and damp surfaces. They are very diverse with over 100 000 species known. They have a unique silica cell wall called a frustule which makes them very robust and allows them to withstand harsh conditions (Figure 24.1). As they are classed as algae, they rely on the sun for their energy and as such are found in well-lit surface layers of water. When
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diatoms die, their skeletons sink to the bottom layers of water.
