Coccoliths

Coccoliths are tiny, calcium carbonate plates produced by microscopic marine algae called coccolithophores. These plates form intricate, shell-like structures that help protect and regulate the algae's buoyancy in the water. When millions of coccoliths accumulate on the ocean floor after the algae die, they create white, chalky sediments, such as limestone. Coccoliths play a vital role in the Earth's carbon cycle by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and ocean when they form, affecting climate regulation. Their presence also influences ocean chemistry and light penetration, impacting marine ecosystems.