Calcareous Phytoplankton, Sem #3 is a photograph by Steve Gschmeissner which was uploaded on May 8th, 2013.
Calcareous Phytoplankton, Sem #3
Calcareous phytoplankton. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Rhabdosphaera claviger. This small algal organism (coccolithophore) is... more
Title
Calcareous Phytoplankton, Sem #3
Artist
Steve Gschmeissner
Medium
Photograph
Description
Calcareous phytoplankton. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Rhabdosphaera claviger. This small algal organism (coccolithophore) is surrounded by a skeleton (coccosphere) of calcium carbonate plates (coccoliths). When the organism dies, the plates separate and sink to the ocean floor. 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. R. claviger is found in marine environments world wide.
Uploaded
May 8th, 2013