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From the ocean to the Amazon: How are diatoms changing global climate?
In Earth's waters, tiny algae called diatoms continue to demonstrate their vital value to ecosystems. Diatoms provide the basis of the food chain in marine ecosystems and also play a key role in processes related to global climate change. As the main performers of photosynthesis, these tiny organisms not only produce about 20% to 50% of the oxygen on Earth, but also capture a large amount of carbon dioxide, helping to slow down the trend of global warming.
Studies indicate that diatoms absorb more than 670 million tons of silica from water each year and increase the organic matter content of the ocean with their unique silicate shells.
This life form grows at an astonishing rate, and given ample nutrients and sunlight, it reproduces sexually almost every 24 hours, allowing it to multiply rapidly. Not only that, even after the diatom cells die, their shells continue to stir up the ecology of the ocean floor, and these shells can accumulate to a depth of up to 800 meters on the seabed.
Growth and distribution of diatoms
Diatoms, estimated to number nearly 200,000 species, can live in the ocean, freshwater or soil and provide a major share of photosynthesis during spring and fall blooms in nutrient-rich coastal waters and throughout the oceans. . These tiny organisms are able to grow in different ways, responding dramatically to the seasons, thus creating an annual cycle of prosperity.
Diatoms are known as "jewels of the sea" or "living gems" not only because of their optical characteristics, but also because of their peculiarities in microscopic structure.
Ecological Roles and Climate Impacts
The existence of diatoms is crucial to the stability of other organisms and ecosystems. A 2003 study estimated that they contribute about 45% of the primary productivity of the oceans. However, new research has found that this number may actually be reduced to around 20%. Regardless, diatoms remain an important component of the global ecosystem.
The Ocean to the Amazon
The impacts of diatoms extend across the globe, even to ecosystems in the Amazon basin. Every year, about 27 million tons of diatom shell powder are transported from the Sahara region of Africa to the Amazon via the Atlantic wind. These diatom shell powders can provide nutrients to the local soil, thereby promoting plant growth and affecting biodiversity. This process highlights the interaction between ocean and land in the global climate system.
Future Research and Challenges
Although diatoms play an important role in global ecosystems, their ecological and climate impacts require further study. As the effects of climate change continue, understanding how diatoms reproduce, grow and interact with each other will become increasingly important. In addition, how to protect their growth environment to maintain the global oxygen and carbon balance will become a challenge we face in the future.
Scientists are desperate to find an answer: As global climate change is drastic, can diatoms become an antidote to slowing down climate change?
