Laura Larocca

Congrats, Ann!

Thank you, Ann!

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

Hi Jason and Ilene, Thank you so much for your contributions!