Director
Dra. Nora I. Maidana Investigador Principal, CONICET noramaidana@nullgmail.com |
Co-Director
Marcelo Morales Investigador Adjunto, CONICET marcelomoralesarq@nullgmail.com |
Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) are unicellular photosynthetic microscopic algae, with a siliceous cover (frustule) which may be very well preserved as fossils. Their high sensitivity to changes in environmental conditions and their high diversity in aquatic ecosystems present the potential to estimate with a high degree of reliability, changes in physical, chemical and/or biological properties of the water body. They possess a variety of adaptive strategies and their short life cycle allows them to respond quickly to environmental changes. Our studies focus on the taxonomy and biology of this group of algae and their use as biomarkers in current and past environments. We developed several lines of research, some of which are integrated into interdisciplinary projects, providing data for understanding natural and anthropogenic changes.