Pennate Diatom

Arbybee ... Yep, since I retired I am having the time of my life. Don't tell anyone but in addition to my microscopes I have an astronomical observatory in my back yard.

Diatoms are single celled golden algae. Their defining features are the intricate patterns on their glass-like shells (frustules). You can get a hint of it around the edges of this one but the full effect isn’t really visible until you remove the inner structures, usually with a strong acid. Diatoms can be found pretty much anywhere there is water and there is a strong relationship between the genus found and the pH of the water. I hope to get a pH meter soon to see just what those boundaries are for the local critters.