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Tiny gems in the ocean: How do diatoms affect Earth's oxygen supply?
Diatoms, tiny but beautiful creatures, live in oceans, rivers and soil around the world. Although their size is tiny, ranging from 2 to 2,000 microns, their impact on Earth's ecosystem cannot be ignored. Studies show that diatoms produce 20% to 50% of the earth's oxygen every year, providing indispensable support for our life. This surprising data got us thinking, how exactly do these tiny ocean jewels do this?
The shell of diatoms is composed of silica, and when it dies, a thick layer of sediment is derived. These sediments are deposited on the bottom of the ocean, which can be as deep as 800 meters.
The ecosystem importance of diatoms
Diatoms are one of the most important phytoplankton and play a key role in marine ecosystems around the world. They produce large amounts of organic matter, unclogging the base of the food chain and providing nutrients for predators. According to research, only in nutrient-rich waters can diatoms thrive in large numbers. These blooming periods generally occur in spring and autumn, which can be referred to as "spring and autumn blooms."
The reproduction and life cycle of diatoms
Diatoms continue to grow mainly through reproduction and can double in size every 24 hours. The sexual and asexual reproduction methods of these microorganisms allow them to quickly adapt to their living environment. When cells become too small due to reproduction, diatoms restore their size through sexual reproduction. During this process, the diatom's cell wall is broken down and a new cell is formed, making their reproduction dynamics extremely complex.
The study points out that diatoms are critical for monitoring water quality, and they help scientists understand past and present environmental conditions.
Structure and function of diatoms
The silicate cell wall possessed by diatoms is called "silica shell". These unique structures make diatoms unique in the microscopic world. The design of the silicon shells not only benefits their internal functions, but also enables them to display unique optical colors, making humans call them "jewels of the ocean" or "living opals."
Global environmental impact
The reproduction and death of diatoms can significantly affect the ocean's carbon cycle, thereby affecting climate change and greenhouse gas concentrations. Their photosynthesis not only produces oxygen but also absorbs carbon dioxide, making diatoms a potential solution to global warming. While scientists are still researching these microbes, their known benefits are undoubtedly key to the future of our planet.
Threats faced and future research directions
However, it cannot be ignored that with global warming and deterioration of water quality, diatoms are facing unprecedented challenges. Pollution, climate change and human activities may threaten their survival. Therefore, it is crucial to protect the habitat of these microorganisms, and future research needs to focus on revealing their response mechanisms to environmental changes and how to use their characteristics to deal with the global ecological crisis.
In in-depth research, scientists may find diatoms as a hope for future environmental protection. Their tiny figures may carry unlimited possibilities.
In just a few centuries, diatoms have become an integral part of life on Earth. Their operating rules and ecological functions deserve our in-depth exploration. In the future, whether we can fully understand the value brought by these small ocean gems will determine whether we can effectively meet the current environmental challenges?
