COSEE Ocean Systems: News
Surprises from the ocean: Marine plankton and ocean pH
Description: Coccolithophores are phytoplankton known for their remarkable ability to build chalk (calcium carbonate) scales inside their cells, which are secreted to form a protective armour on the cell surface. A team of scientists report that coccolithophores use a similar mechanism to the one previously characterised in vertebrate cells, to facilitate calcification. They found that this process may be directly affected by the current increasing levels of dissolved carbon dioxide in the oceans. [Source: EurekaAlert!]
URL: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-06/plos-sft061511.php
Availability: Full Text
Source: EurekaAlert!
Publish Date: 6/21/2011
Reading Level: Basic
Page Length:  

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