Diatoms are a major group of algae and are one of the most common types of phytoplantktons. These algae of microscopic dimensions are the fundamental nutrient of many living beings. They have major vital functions from the production of oxygen to the formation of oil, which is a very important source of energy.
Diatoms are the algae that generally live in water and are the organisms that carry out photosynthesis to acquire energy. There are approximately 10 thousand of these tiny organisms the biggest of which has a diameter of 1 mm in 1 cc sea water. Although these organisms make up 90 percent of living beings in oceans not all diatoms live in water. Some of them live on soil, attached to moss, on trees and even on brick walls if there is sufficient moisture. Diatoms can exist anywhere where there is water, carbon dioxide and nutrients, and they are an essential part of life on earth.
Some of the enormous features of these micro beings are as follows:
Why diatoms are so important for life?
Oxygen production: Diatoms have vital importance for almost all living beings since they produce some of the oxygen needed by all living beings by means of photosynthesis. These miraculous beings that work like oxygen fabrics has a very detailed mechanism. They have many pores on their surface that enable gas exchange. The total output of gas exchange of trillions of diatoms ensure the build-up of oxygen production very much above their own needs. Such great amounts of oxygen make an important contribution to the oxygen rate in the atmosphere.
Diatoms’ Contribution to the nutrient chain: Diatoms have an important role in the nutrient chain in oceans. They are the fundamental sources of nutrients of zooplanktons which are consumed by species like herrings that are the primary food source of bigger animals in oceans.
Filtering Function: These micro beings can also be used in the industrial field for filtering and insulating various materials. Diatoms are particularly efficient in making especially silica, nitrate and phosphate usable for living beings. Even under certain circumstances they can be used to disinfect contaminated water.
D Vitamin source of people: Diatoms is a primary food source for many marine animals like fish and whales. As is known fish oil is a precious nutrient for the development of human body. Diatoms also provide the D vitamin in fish oil. Allah creates this tiny being as a food for fish which in return becomes very beneficial for human beings.
The role of diatoms in oil production: The food of diatoms themselves is also very important. These living beings keep their food in the form of fat particles they produce by means of photosynthesis in their cells. These tiny fat particles congregate in time and form the oil beds under the influence of geological and biological forces. A great part of oil we use today originate from the diatoms which died under sunlight in prehistoric oceans.
Diatomite’s are used for industrial purposes: Diatoms have an ideal filter structure with its light weight and pores which enable it to be used in space industry. This aside they are used in a wide range of fields from the production of acaricidcs to paints fills.
The existence of such enormous details reveal perfection in Allah’s artistry. Such attributes of living beings are each instrumental in making us grasp Allah’s infinite might. In one verse Allah relates thus:
You who have faith! have fear of Allah and seek the means of drawing near to Him; (Surat al-Ma’ida, 35)
