View in EDS

A rapid method for measuring ancient coccolith size.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: A rapid method for measuring ancient coccolith size.
Authors: Barrett, Ruby1 (AUTHOR) ruby.barrett@bristol.ac.uk, Power, Ann2 (AUTHOR), Love, John3 (AUTHOR), Schmidt, Daniela. N.1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Marine Micropaleontology. Dec2025, Vol. 201, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Coccolithophores, Flow cytometry, Carbon sequestration, Fossils, Scientific method, Optical polarization, Morphology
Abstract: Coccolithophores are single-celled phytoplankton that produce calcite plates called coccoliths. Coccolithophores play a key role in long-term ocean carbon storage through the sedimentation and burial of their calcite (calcium carbonate) exoskeletons. Coccolith size is important in determining how much carbonate is ultimately buried. We present a novel method for measuring ancient coccolith size using imaging flow cytometry combined with cross-polarised light (ISX+PL). This technique provides a rapid and high throughput alternative to manual and existing automated techniques by enabling the analysis of ≈1000 objects per second without time-consuming slide preparation. We have applied ISX+PL to the fossil record for the first time, and as a proof of method, analysed samples from Goban Spur (DSDP Site 548) and Ceara Rise (ODP Site 925/9) to reconstruct 66 million years of coccolith size. We show that data obtained from ISX+PL is consistent with published coccolith size trends, including the reported decrease in size toward the modern. Changes in coccolith size below 3 μm should be treated with caution because this exceeds the accuracy of the method. The inexpensive, rapid, and less labour intensive approach increases the speed of analysis compared to existing methods. The ISX+PL method enables users to analyse more samples, increase the robustness of their dataset due to a high specimen count (≈10,000 per sample), and explore a wealth of morphological features recorded in the digital images of coccoliths. The method offers flexibility, enabling users to adapt it to their needs—for instance, by targeting specific morphologies—thereby expanding its applicability. • Coccolith size is important in determining how much carbon is stored in the ocean. • We present a rapid, high-throughput method for measuring fossil coccolith size. • We reproduce trends in published size data, giving confidence in the method. • The technique's simplicity, speed and throughput enables analysis of more samples and specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Marine Micropaleontology is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: egs
DbLabel: Engineering Source
An: 189761510
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: A rapid method for measuring ancient coccolith size.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Barrett%2C+Ruby%22">Barrett, Ruby</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> ruby.barrett@bristol.ac.uk</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Power%2C+Ann%22">Power, Ann</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Love%2C+John%22">Love, John</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Schmidt%2C+Daniela%2E+N%2E%22">Schmidt, Daniela. N.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Marine+Micropaleontology%22">Marine Micropaleontology</searchLink>. Dec2025, Vol. 201, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subjects
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Coccolithophores%22">Coccolithophores</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Flow+cytometry%22">Flow cytometry</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Carbon+sequestration%22">Carbon sequestration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Fossils%22">Fossils</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scientific+method%22">Scientific method</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Optical+polarization%22">Optical polarization</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Morphology%22">Morphology</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Coccolithophores are single-celled phytoplankton that produce calcite plates called coccoliths. Coccolithophores play a key role in long-term ocean carbon storage through the sedimentation and burial of their calcite (calcium carbonate) exoskeletons. Coccolith size is important in determining how much carbonate is ultimately buried. We present a novel method for measuring ancient coccolith size using imaging flow cytometry combined with cross-polarised light (ISX+PL). This technique provides a rapid and high throughput alternative to manual and existing automated techniques by enabling the analysis of ≈1000 objects per second without time-consuming slide preparation. We have applied ISX+PL to the fossil record for the first time, and as a proof of method, analysed samples from Goban Spur (DSDP Site 548) and Ceara Rise (ODP Site 925/9) to reconstruct 66 million years of coccolith size. We show that data obtained from ISX+PL is consistent with published coccolith size trends, including the reported decrease in size toward the modern. Changes in coccolith size below 3 μm should be treated with caution because this exceeds the accuracy of the method. The inexpensive, rapid, and less labour intensive approach increases the speed of analysis compared to existing methods. The ISX+PL method enables users to analyse more samples, increase the robustness of their dataset due to a high specimen count (≈10,000 per sample), and explore a wealth of morphological features recorded in the digital images of coccoliths. The method offers flexibility, enabling users to adapt it to their needs—for instance, by targeting specific morphologies—thereby expanding its applicability. • Coccolith size is important in determining how much carbon is stored in the ocean. • We present a rapid, high-throughput method for measuring fossil coccolith size. • We reproduce trends in published size data, giving confidence in the method. • The technique's simplicity, speed and throughput enables analysis of more samples and specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Marine Micropaleontology is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=189761510
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1016/j.marmicro.2025.102504
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 1
        StartPage: N.PAG
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Coccolithophores
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Flow cytometry
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Carbon sequestration
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Fossils
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Scientific method
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Optical polarization
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Morphology
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: A rapid method for measuring ancient coccolith size.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Barrett, Ruby
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Power, Ann
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Love, John
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Schmidt, Daniela. N.
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 12
              Text: Dec2025
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 03778398
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 201
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Marine Micropaleontology
              Type: main
ResultId 1