Silicious algae

Is it true that half of the total amount of oxygen produced annually is released by algae?
Rüdiger Kremer, Kronshagen

In fact it is considerably more than half! Around two thirds of the amount of oxygen released annually is produced by freshwater and saltwater algae. These, mostly single-celled organisms belong to the oldest plants on Earth. They float in the uppermost 100 to 200 meters of water. Only there can the algae absorb enough light and nutrients to carry out the process of photosynthesis. The plants use the energy gained from the light in order to build up organic substances. Thereby oxygen is produced as a by-product.

The lion's share of the oxygen is produced by the diatoms. They are so widely spread, that they can be found in the smallest puddle of water and can carry out photosynthesis even in damp ground exposed to very little light. It is estimated that a litre of sea water contains thousands if not millions of the silicious algae and in some sea areas the plankton community is almost completely dominated by them. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that diatoms are considered to be the largest producer of oxygen in the world`s oceans.

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