The Beauty of the Microscopic World

Microalgae are very important primary producers in the aquatic ecosystem.  Their chlorophyll makes nutrients through photosynthesis.

When it comes to microalgae, green algae are the first to come to mind because of the green mass that covers the river, but diatoms are the most common species in the water system. These diatoms are single-celled plants, and about 12,000 species are currently known.

The body is made up of two shells as if a lunch box with a lid, and surrounded by a cell wall. The cell walls have elaborate and geometric patterns. They look like lines of very fine holes arranged in a regular pattern, or like specific shapes.

This species is very common in rivers and streams of Korea and mainly lives by attaching to aquatic plants.

Coconis placentula has a pattern of lines amid in its cell, which is the result of evolution to protect itself from predators. A slippery mucus comes out from here.  When observed under a microscope, it can be observed that it moves by sliding. 

This species occurs in rivers and streams of Korea, but found sparsely. Cells look like a boomerang, and the cell wall has horizontal stripes of very fine pores. 

The hole, which is the key of the beautiful pattern on Lopalodia Gipa, is actually a passageway through which substances move in and out of cells as they live.

This species is commonly found in rivers and streams of Korea. Recently, it has been discovered as an fossil in the sediment of an ancient reservoir called Gonggeomji.

In Gomponema, mucilage comes out from the small hole at the bottom and its C-shaped hole. It lives by attaching to aquatic plants with this slime.  The colony of Gomponema looks like a leaf stuck to a branch.

Gomponema coronatum is the same genus as Gomponema trunkatum, and it usually lives by attaching to bottom stones of rivers of Korea. Recently, an old fossil of this species has been discovered in the sediment of an ancient reservoir called Gonggeomji.

When classifying species in the same genus, they can be distinguished by their shape or genes. Gomphonema cornatum is distinguished by its shape that resembles a squid.

Staurosirella leptostauron is a diatom living in streams and rivers in Korea. It mainly lives by attaching to stones or floors. Although it is rarely found in Korea, very large amounts have been found in desalinated lagoons in Gangwon-do.

The cell is in the shape of a cross. The etymology of the genus and species is also derived from stauron, which means cross.

Aulacoseira granulata is a floating diatom that appears very frequently in rivers of Korea. They can be spotted most often in spring.

The shape of the cell is characterized by its cylindrical shape. Just like interlaced human fingers, the spine-like parts at the ends of the cells alternate with each other to form a chain.

Amphora copulata is a freshwater diatom living in rivers and streams of Korea. It sustains itself by being attached to stones or floors.

Its characteristic feature is that it resembles human lips.