Coastal benthic diatoms from Scotia Bay (South Orkney Islands): morphological traits, community structure, and carbon contribution

Key Points

• Benthic diatoms contribute significantly to carbon levels in coastal ecosystems, enhancing carbon capture.
• Carbon contributions measured from diverse diatom communities across different morphological traits, emphasizing their role.
• Analysis of benthic diatom morphology and community structure reveals insights into ecological dynamics in Scotia Bay.
• Study highlights the importance of benthic diatoms for ecosystem health and carbon cycling, suggesting further research opportunities.