Structural properties of Southern Ocean pteropods using scanning electron microscopy

This study aims to determine the impact of ocean acidification on Southern Ocean pteropods via a detailed understanding of the structural properties of their shells. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the structure of shells that had been cleaned and dried compared with the s...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Teniswood, C, Roberts, D, Senden, T, Howard, W, Bradby, J
Format: Conference Object
Language:English
Published: APMC10/ICONN 2012/ACMM 2012
Subjects:
Environmental Sciences
Ecological Applications
Ecological Impacts of Climate Change
Southern Ocean
Ocean acidification
Online Access:http://ecite.utas.edu.au/78076
Description
Summary:This study aims to determine the impact of ocean acidification on Southern Ocean pteropods via a detailed understanding of the structural properties of their shells. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the structure of shells that had been cleaned and dried compared with the structure of shells that were imaged directly from the preserving ethanol. Although the microstructure of the shell remains largely intact after the chemical cleaning and drying process, the removal of interstitial organic matter appears to have a dramatic effect on the mechanical integrity of the structure.

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