Diatoms stay afloat due to

Step-by-step solution

In diatoms, the major carbon storage is triacylglycerides (TAGs) and fatty acids which usually make up 15–25% of dry biomass. These stored lipids of diatoms help them float on the water surface. The lipid increases the buoyancy and helps avoid sinking in water. Most diatoms are non - motile and lack flagella or pseudopodia and hence they move through the water currents.