Two more diatoms

pwnell · Post by **pwnell** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 10:07 pm

The first is a stack of 18 photos under my 100x objective (oil immersed). It is very hard to stack at this magnification... Had to retouch by hand (used Helicon Focus). Uncropped photo. From what I understand those two spheres are oxygen bubbles formed by photosynthesis that the diatom uses for buoyancy.

Another diatom (I think), normal 40x objective and cropped. Single photo. Both diatoms from the ocean off Crescent Beach, BC, Canada:

Mitch640 · Post by **Mitch640** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 12:17 pm

I'll have to watch for those bubbles in future. I have seen them, but thought they were some other liquid, as seen in Closterium, as I never saw them change position.

pwnell · Post by **pwnell** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 12:21 pm

That is exactly what prompted me to investigate. Under 1000x magnification I actually saw them wobble around.

Mitch640 · Post by **Mitch640** » Mon Mar 19, 2012 12:24 pm

I'll have to use time lapse or something similar, my most powerful useful lens is 40x right now. Or maybe 40x phase contrast would show it.