This diatom, found floating in marine plankton, forms a delicate spiral. It is not easy to watch the colony under the microscope since the chain of individuals breaks easily when handled. Each spring the diatoms bloom in the ocean. The water colours yellow-brown because of the enormous quantities of the phytoplankton. The background image shows such a bloom containing spiraling forms.
Diatoms are magnificent lifeforms to study under the microscope.
More can be read about them on 'the smallest page on the web' in the article about diatoms. The next page shows More 3D diatoms . Licmophora, a fanshaped sessile colony. Comments to the author Wim van Egmond are welcomed. Wim van Egmond Please report any Web problems or offer general comments to the Micscape Editor , via the contact on current Micscape Index.