Emiliania huxleyi Coccolithophore Pendant

This pendant is based on the coccolithophore, Emiliania huxleyi.  Emiliania is a single-celled phytoplankton covered by intricate calcium carbonate plates called coccoliths. Emiliania huxleyi, or "Ehux" as it is often referred to, is the most abundant coccolithophore in our oceans and is an important part of the marine food chain. When Ehux blooms, it causes the water to turn a milky turquoise color because the coccoliths themselves reflect light back into the atmosphere, a phenomenon that can be observed from space. Ehux produce alkenones, a type of lipid with fatty acid chains containing 35-41 carbons. Alkenones are an important indicator of the ocean environment because the degree of saturation of the fatty acid chains is dependent on temperature. The chemical composition of the alkenones of Ehux fossils, therefore, will reveal the temperature of the ocean during the time of their growth.

This pendant represents one coccolith of Emiliania. Pendant measures 1.8 cm (0.7 inches) long below the loop and is 1.6 cm (0.6 inches) wide.

If you would like to purchase a chain along with this pendant, please click on the "ADD A CHAIN" button below the material dropdown. The bail loop has an internal diameter of 4.5 mm in the longest dimension and 2 mm in the shortest.