#Coccolithophores

Ocean warriors

Calcidiscus leptoporus - a coccolithophore found drifting in the Southern Ocean. #Coccolithophores are single celled organisms which perform photosynthesis for the creation of energy, which in turn produces the oxygen that we breathe. They construct many intricate plates of armour - made of calcium carbonate - which they cover themselves with to protect their delicate internal cell from predation.

Photograph: Luke Brokensha

@photography
#MarineLife

Scientists study ecological response of #phytoplankton to #nutrient deposition of Saharan #dust.

#primary_production #coccolithophores

https://phys.org/news/2023-12-scientists-ecological-response-phytoplankton-nutrient.html