Shapes of Fragilaria crotonensis

The image allows a glimpse into the hidden life in a water drop and shows the focal point of my master's thesis: Fragilaria crotonensis. This freshwater diatom is colony-forming, allowing for these spectacular double-helix shapes. The picture was taken with an inverted light microscope. Phytoplankton are pivotal primary producers, but under climate change, their habitats are changing rapidly. For my thesis, I collect and isolate samples from different Swiss lakes and compare the adaptation potential of phytoplankton to varying environments. These tiny organisms are on the base of entire food webs and contribute significantly to the air we breathe.
by Divina Ryf