To Conch-L:

        Actually diatoms are a type of golden-brown algae (Class
Bacillariophyceae, Division Chrysophyta) composed of silica, can live
practically anywhere (ie., marine, brackish, freshwater, moist soils, ice,
etc.), are important primary producers, range from Early Cretaceous to
Recent, and form diatom oozes on the ocean floor, which in turn form
diatomites [= ditomaceous earth] when lithified.  They are measured in
micrometers [an angstrom is one hundred-millionth of a centimeter and is
used to measure the length of light waves].

Aloha,

Lindsey T. Groves
Nat. Hist. Mus. Los Angeles County, Malacology

At 08:29 PM 3/20/02 +0100, you wrote:
>Diatoms are similar to Foraminiferas, one cellular
>living animals. I don't know what angstroms are, but
>foras are measured in mys. There is no sign for
>mys on my keyboard.
>with best regards
>Helmut Wlasak
>
>
>-- Jordan Star <[log in to unmask]> schrieb: > Hello
>> Diatoms have shells and a microscope is needed to
>> see them.  I think they are
>> measured in angstroms (a scientific measuring system
>> smaller than
>> millimeters).  Diatoms are living things but not
>> snails.  Someone on the list
>> can help further.
>>
>> Jordan Star
>>
>
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