I am in the process of transcribing the locations of diatoms from Thomas Comber's original handwritten catalogue of slide collections and I am struck by the presence of these eukaryotes all over the world. I am focusing on the British collections, but my colleagues around me are inputting geographical data from many different corners of the globe. From Cheshire to New Jersey, South Africa to the Philippines. These oxygen-producing giants were found everywhere and still inhabit all of the earth's waters today. Diatoms are natural wonders that surround us, connect us and nurture us. I am humbled by these diverse and prolific microorganisms. Although tiny, they make such a huge impact on our planet. Hoorah for diatoms! As the song goes, "It's a small world afterall".
Add new comment