Diatoms

Diatoms are an unicellular type of algae which are renowned for their wide range of shapes and intricate silica shells. Due to the presence of these cell walls, they are extremely resistant to environmental changes and often form the base of a food web in aquatic ecosystems. As they are photosynthetic organisms, diatoms are integral to the global carbon and nitrogen cycles, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen into it. This process of photosynthesis allows them to convert light energy into chemical energy, which can be used for growth and reproduction. Additionally, diatoms are used as a bioindicator of water quality and can detect pollution. In the food industry, diatoms are utilised as natural colourants and are an excellent source of dietary fibre.