Shown here is the beginning of a spicular growth in a sample from Champagne Pool. The filamentous micro-organisms prefer to grow on the top of the spicule. This becomes covered by a layer of amorphous silica. More micro-organisms grow on top, and the alternating process of inorganic–organic growth keeps repeating.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
GNS Science, Extremophile photo collection
Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) by Kim Handley
Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.
Tāpiritia te tākupu hou