The Radiolarian

Radiolarians are tiny, single-celled marine organisms with intricate, silica-based skeletons that often resemble delicate, geometric shapes. They float in the upper layers of the ocean and feed on smaller plankton. Their intricate skeletons contribute to the formation of deep-sea sediments when they die, playing a crucial role in the Earth's carbon cycle. These microorganisms are important for understanding ocean health, climate history, and the Earth's geological past because their fossilized remains are preserved in sediments, providing valuable climate and evolutionary records.