Editing Diatom (section)

===Distribution===

Diatoms are a widespread group and can be found in the [[ocean]]s, in [[fresh water]], in [[soil]]s, and on damp surfaces. They are one of the dominant components of [[phytoplankton]] in nutrient-rich coastal waters and during oceanic spring blooms, since they can divide more rapidly than other groups of phytoplankton.<ref name="Furnas 1990" /> Most live [[pelagic]]ally in open water, although some live as surface films at the water-sediment interface ([[benthos|benthic]]), or even under damp atmospheric conditions. They are especially important in oceans, where a 2003 study found that they contribute an estimated 45% of the total oceanic [[primary production]] of organic material.<ref name="BGCC1">{{cite journal |doi=10.1029/2002GB002018 |title=Role of diatoms in regulating the ocean's silicon cycle |journal=Global Biogeochemical Cycles |volume=17 |issue=4 |year=2003 |last1=Yool |first1=Andrew |last2=Tyrrell |first2=Toby |pages=n/a |bibcode=2003GBioC..17.1103Y |citeseerx=10.1.1.394.3912 |s2cid=16849373 }}</ref> However, a more recent 2016 study estimates that the number is closer to 20%.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Malviya |first1=Shruti |last2=Scalco |first2=Eleonora |last3=Audic |first3=Stéphane |last4=Vincent |first4=Flora |last5=Veluchamy |first5=Alaguraj |last6=Poulain |first6=Julie |last7=Wincker |first7=Patrick |last8=Iudicone |first8=Daniele |last9=de Vargas |first9=Colomban |last10=Bittner |first10=Lucie |last11=Zingone |first11=Adriana |last12=Bowler |first12=Chris |date=2016-02-29 |title=Insights into global diatom distribution and diversity in the world's ocean |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |volume=113 |issue=11 |pages=E1516–E1525 |doi=10.1073/pnas.1509523113 |doi-access=free |pmid=26929361 |issn=0027-8424|pmc=4801293 |bibcode=2016PNAS..113E1516M }}</ref> Spatial distribution of marine phytoplankton species is restricted both horizontally and vertically.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.2307/2406711 |pmid=28563010 |jstor=2406711 |title=Plankton Evolution |journal=Evolution |volume=24 |issue=1 |pages=1–22 |year=1970 |last1=Lipps |first1=Jere H. }}</ref><ref name="Horner2002">{{cite book|author=Rita A. Horner|title=A taxonomic guide to some common marine phytoplankton|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JU8VAQAAIAAJ|access-date=13 November 2013|year=2002|publisher=Biopress|isbn=978-0-948737-65-7|pages=25–30|archive-date=1 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801020312/https://books.google.com/books?id=JU8VAQAAIAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref>