These data are derived from laboratory experiments rather than environmental sampling

Phytoplankton growth; Silicate concentration parameters in the water column

Electron microscopes

This dataset comprises the results of experiments examining the silicon required by different coccolithophore species for growth. These data are from laboratory-based experiments performed during the grant funding period 1st April 2018 to 1st January 2020. There are three datasets in total relating to the analysis of electron micrographs of laboratory cultures. Firstly, coccolith morphology, coccosphere integrity and growth rates of different coccolithophore species following treatment with a range of germanium/silicon ratios using species Coccolithus braarudii, Scyphosphaera apsteinii, Syracosphaera pulchra, Umbilicosphaera foliosa and Helicosphaera carteri. Secondly, growth rates and photophysiology of species not sensitive to germanium including Prymnesium parvum, Isochrysis galbana, Hymenomonas coronata, Jomonlithus litoralis and Ochrosphaera neapolitana. Finally, treatment of coccolithophore cells of species C. braarudii and S. apsteinii with cytoskeleton inhibitors. The calcifying coccolithophores are commonly thought to have no requirement for silicon. However, some important coccolithophore species actually possess silicon transporters that are similar to those used by diatoms. These experimental data indicate that certain coccolithophores use silicon to make their calcium carbonate coccoliths. This Discovery Science project was funded by NERC grant NE/N011708/1 and led by principal investigator Dr Glen Wheeler of the Marine Biological Association.