noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
diatom
A type of single-celled algae with silica cell walls, found in water and soil. Used in biology and environmental science contexts.
珪藻は海洋の一次生産者として重要だ。
Diatoms are important as primary producers in the ocean.
この池の水を顕微鏡で見ると、たくさんの珪藻が観察できる
When you look at the water from this pond under a microscope, you can observe many diatoms.
From 珪 (kei, 'silicon') + 藻 (sō, 'algae'), referring to the silica-based cell walls of diatoms.