Sign of Spring in a Drop of Water

May 26, 2017

Ditylum brightwellii 031017 5 sm (3)

Photographer: John Stetson
Summary Author: John Stetson

Shown above is a magnified photosynthetic diatom, a Ditylum brightwellii, in the process of asexual reproduction. The ability to reproduce rapidly contributes to the spring plankton bloom. This specimen is approximately the size of a human hair -- about 100 microns. It was found in the water sample collected in a plankton tow, by students in Ericka Poppell's marine biology class at Southern Maine Community College. Photo taken on March 11, 2017.