Pam, UR - Diatoms, Tiny storehouses of historical information

Who would have thought one of the smallest species on earth could be a historical archive and current indicator of life in that particular area? It turns out that just as their beautiful little silica shells are works of art, they don't decompose but are deposited in sediments. Because they don't decompose, they are an indicator species of ancient time and current state of biological affairs.

Diatom with lacy jewel like structure

While watching a video about diatom research in a lake in Greenland I learned the above and how they are associated with climate change study. And we all know, the Arctic is warming at a rapid pace.  Climate clues from diatoms in Greenland lake

Another study from the English Channel describes researching diatoms from suspended particulate matter (SPM) being used as biogenic tracers. This added to the information about the exchange of  particles between different water masses such as from the Bay of the Seine, the Straights of Dover and so on. Using diatoms as biological tracers

Indian River Lagoon

So what can I expect to find in my own backyard? I plan to drag a seine net behind the boat in both the northern Indian River Lagoon (IRL) at Turnbull Creek area and another in the Tomoka River by the state park. I'm sure my 'catch' will be interesting. Will my species be totally different in the more saline area of the IRL verses the brackish water area of Tomoka River? Will they be similar? How different, how similar? Will I see historical evolution from pre-development era verses current? Stay tuned for more!

Ashley, C., (2013, Dec. 10). Searching for Climate Clues in Greenland's Diatoms. video:Science Nation, Live Science Retrieved from http://www.livescience.com/41852-searching-for-climate-clues-in-greenland-s-diatoms-video.html

Huault, M.F., Lafite, R, & Dupont, J.P. (1994) Diatoms as particulate tracers in the water column in the eastern english channel. Retrieved from SAO/NASA ADS Physics Abstract Service, http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1994NJSR...33...47H