Kurt Nielsen asked me to pass along this inquiry for him. He passed it on to paleonet but did not get any responses from them. I told him that I would pass it along to PSA if he got no id from the
Please respond to Kurt at address below or at the cc.
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Dear Paleo-netters!
I hope that some of you can help me out with this little mystery. During a
study of a Pleistocene Orbulina universa (planktonic foraminifera), the
test was opened and investigated in an SEM. On the inside of the test of O.
universa some unknown elements were observed:
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/paleonet/Whatsits/kn1.gifhttp://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/paleonet/Whatsits/kn2.gif
Three out of a total of ten specimens from the same sample contained these
"organic" elements on the inside of the test. Due to the scarcity of the
material I have been unwilling to sacrifice any of the specimens to
determine whether these elements are of organic or calcitic nature. The two
pictures attached to this message show the elements in two different O.
universa. The elements are roughly 1-2 microns across and at least three
different forms seem to occur. In two of the specimens the elements are
randomly distributed on the inside of the test wall. In the third some of
these elements seem to grow around an enlarged pore in the test wall as
well as being randomly distributed. Various medical experts have assured me
that these elements are not blood cells or any other secretions from a
human being. Different algae have been suggested by other experts, however
mostly without a name. If any of you have any suggestins as to the
identity of these elements, it would be greatly appreciated.
Best wishes to you all.
Kurt Nielsen
Geological Institute, University of Copenhagen
ÿster Voldgade 10
DK-1350 Copenhagen K
Denmark
E-mail nk061259 at geo.geol.ku.dk
