Just how these minute but beautiful cases are formed from silicon dissolved in seawater is still a mystery, but what researchers do know is that by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, diatoms play a vital role in sustaining life on earth, perhaps an even more important role than most land plants.
Ent teadlastele on selgunud see, et süsinikdioksiidi omastavatel ja hapnikku eraldavatel ränivetikatel on maakera elutegevuses oluline roll – ehk olulisemgi kui enamikul maismaataimedel.