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Arenaceos Foraminifera of Dorset

Illustrations of the Foraminifera in West Dorset UK

QUAD IN BBC BASIC SEE PREVIOUS NOTES.

Geometry of the Diatom Frustule on BBC BASIC

Some Time ago I wrote a little article on playing with Diatom shapes on THE BASIC computer programmes. It was more intended to be a little Christmas fun for microscopists at a time when I was looking at fractals..
The work was published on MICSCAPE UK and is still in their data base under my name (B.Darnton). Several people had fun writing in both BBC BASIC and QBASIC using the relevent language. Recently a friend drew my attention to the fact that a new BBC BASIC is available at http://www.rtrussell.co.uk/ . This will run within MS WINDOWS. A free download of a trial version can be accessed as well as the full programme which of course needs a fee. There is much advice on how to use it under HELP but one of the improved features is the automatic colour coding of words so that for example line numbers appear in one colour and words of command in orange etc. The result is that mistakes like incorrect case use, or bad spelling, stand out in the wrong colour which is very useful when writing the programmes.
I hope to be able to upload both the images produced, as well as images of the programmes. These will not copy in text form :I left them as an image in order to demonstrate the colour code effect. These programmes will run on the free download from R.T.Russell and unless developed do not require the ull programme.

NOTE If you would like to watch the development of the running programmes then insert a line

WAIT 10 anywere in the loop before the NEXT line.

A New Microscope

My new microscope, which is a Henry Crouch, was recently purchased at the excellent camera shop of Mr Palmer of Bridport Dorset ( Near the bus station). I have improved the fine focus with a new adjustment and I have purchased an alternative low power objective lens of Voigtlaender & sohn A G 38mm (Euryscop), for my little Foraminiferids. The Boxed microscope also contained the standard pair of objective lenses in brass cylinders with data. The Number of the microscope is 8801 and I wonder if anyone has a book containing data such as the age of this instrument. I really would be obliged for this information. brian.darnton@googlemail.com

Slide of Poole Foraminifera with labelled grid of 12

The slide was created on a standard 3 inch by 1 inch glass slide.
The artwork was first completed on a computer and the printout was reduced by photography with a 35mm camera using litho-film. The 19mm round film was gummed to a slide using uv cured glass bond after treatment . The coverslip was also stuck with glass bond.
The main species are included from the harbours` southern shore.

The Fleet Lagoon near Weymouth Dorset U.K.

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  This photo shows the shallowness of this part of the fleet. The image was taken at low tide.
  Please click on the image for a larger version. The Light coloured deposits can be seen on the aerial maps of the area as seen on the web. Live Maps may be used by either searching or clicking. See link below.

http://maps.live.com/

The red dots outline the very rich and extensive deposition sites. The species found are very similar to those of the estuarine sites of Dorset like Poole Harbour, but the arenaceous types are less numerous than at Poole.
The Village of East Fleet with its literary connections and ancient churches is an enchanting place. There are fossil types here but floatation has been used to reject them.

This is a photo of the water surface during the last stage of floatation, using material from East Fleet. It is a rich collection.

A General Guide to the Deposition Zones of the Foraminifera.

In the British Isles the tidal flows are from the SW Corner along the the South Coast. On the diagram this would be right to left, so the place to search is point B. This is valid for Swanage, Weymouth and Tor Bay. If the bays of the North East are examined then the flow is from the North Eastern corner of Scotland and on the diagram would be left to right and the site would be at A. This is valid for Scarborough and Filey. A quick look at the tide tables of ports either side of the bay in question, will soon determine direction if there is doubt. Of course few bays follow the exact symmetry of a diagram so a little common sense is required. Do not forget that blog images can be enlarged by a click of the mouse. In estuarine conditions like Poole Harbour,limited deposition zones can be identified by the concentration of shelly remains in the mud. Please see earlier posts. BD.

A glance at some of the non Arenaceous types at poole

This list is just a snapshot and by no means a complete listing.

Another look at species at Poole

These are some of the Arenaceous types, from the gastropod deposition site at Redland, Poole Harbour.

A deposition zone for Arenaceous types

In the open sea, the deposition sites in sheltered bays are pretty obvious ( see early blogs)but within the estuarine conditions of Poole Harbour do these exist? These gastropod shells seem to collect along with shelly mud in the middle tide marks of the harbour and the sievings (0.1mm-0.9mm)from this material are quite rich in arenaceous as well as other foraminifera. I have washed and sieved out the shells so that identification is possible. They are somewhat larger than 10mm. Click on the image for an enlarged version.