Coccolithophore
by Science Photo Library
Title
Coccolithophore
Artist
Science Photo Library
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Coccolithophore. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Emiliana huxleyi. This small algal organism is a calcareous phytoplankton and is surrounded by a skeleton (coccosphere) of calcium carbonate plates (coccoliths). When the organism dies, the plates separate and sink to the ocean floor. Coccolithophores are of particular interest to those studying global climate change because as ocean acidity increases, their coccoliths may become even more important as a carbon sink (absorb carbon dioxide). Individual plates have been found in vast numbers and can make up the major component of a particular rock, such as the chalk of England. E. huxleyi an important part of the planktonic base of a large proportion of marine food webs. Magnification: x15000 when printed at 10 centimetres wide. Specimen courtesy of Mike Allen, Plymouth Marine Laboratory.
Uploaded
September 13th, 2018
Embed
Share
Similar Subjects
Comments
There are no comments for Coccolithophore. Click here to post the first comment.