Science
Coccolithophorid
Coccolithophorids are calcareous plankton. The shells of these plankton formed sedimentary layers that created the 'White Cliffs of Dover'. These plankton exist in our oceans today. However, like many marine plankton, their existence is threatened by climate change due to excess carbon dioxide acidifying our oceans. The acid erodes the calcareous scales of these plankton. The intricate patterns and configurations of these scales inspired my recent jewellery works.
Karin Beaumont
Artist-scientist
Tasmania, 2008
