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  • Laura Larocca
    Laura LaroccaResearcher
    Thank you, Ann!
    Nov 11, 2015
  • Ann Yezerski Gilmor
    Ann Yezerski GilmorBacker
    Congratulations! I was just teaching Protists in class today!
    Nov 11, 2015
  • roy blumenfeld
    roy blumenfeldBacker
    Love that vid
    Nov 02, 2015
  • Yvette Fruchter
    Yvette FruchterBacker
    yo go girl!!!!!
    Oct 25, 2015
  • Mattia Sartori
    Mattia SartoriBacker
    Glad to support you, Laura!
    Oct 19, 2015
  • Laura Larocca
    Laura LaroccaResearcher
    Hi Cindy, Thanks for asking! I will isolate the foraminifera from the surrounding sediment by disaggregation and sieving. First, a pH balanced, two to five percent solution of hydrogen peroxide at a volume of 2 to 3 times that of sample being processed will be used for disaggregation -- this method is known as the 'hydrogen peroxide method.' Then, the foraminifera will be separated from the sediment by sieving. Sieving will be performed at 63 µm to begin. Finer remaining sediments will be sieved at 125 micrometers. Foraminifera tests vary in size. They are usually less than 1 mm in size, but some are much larger, reaching up to 20 cm. Foraminifera tests for this project will be viewed using a microscope. At the American Museum of Natural History, Dr. Kimberly Meehan will provide guidance through the processing and imaging of the samples at both the Microfossil Lab and the Microscopy and Imaging Facility. For imaging of the tests I will use a field emission scanning electron microscope. Laura
    Oct 15, 2015
  • Cindy Wu
    Cindy WuBacker
    I'd love to learn more about how you isolate the foraminifera from the surrounding sediment! Also, how small are these shells? Can you see them with the naked eye? Keep up the awesome work! 🐚
    Oct 15, 2015
  • Laura Larocca
    Laura LaroccaResearcher
    Hi Jason and Ilene, Thank you so much for your contributions!
    Oct 15, 2015
  • Jason P Schein
    Jason P ScheinBacker
    Good luck!
    Oct 15, 2015
  • Ilene Rauscher
    Ilene RauscherBacker
    Hey Laura! This sounds super impressive! I can't wait to hear how it all turns out. Congratulations on taking this project on -- you'll do great! Love, Ilene
    Oct 14, 2015