What are examples of diatoms?

Diatoms are microscopic algae, and some common examples of diatoms are Navicula, Pinnularia, and Cyclotella. Diatoms are tiny, single-celled organisms that live mostly in water, both freshwater and saltwater. They are a major part of plankton and are very important for aquatic life and oxygen production. Diatoms are special because they have a hard outer shell made of silica, which looks like glass and is beautifully patterned.

Here are some examples:

• Navicula: Boat-shaped diatom commonly found in lakes and rivers.
• Pinnularia: Long, thin diatom often seen under a microscope in biology labs.
• Cyclotella: Round diatom often found in ocean plankton.
• Fragilaria: Diatom that looks like long chains when viewed under a microscope.
• Synedra: Thin and needle-like, found in freshwater.

Diatoms play a big role in producing oxygen on Earth and are used in studies related to water quality.