THE MARINE DIATOM WORKSHOP

The Quekett is fortunate in possessing a pool of speakers who are both enthusiastic, knowledgeable and have the ability to communicate. This was evident in spades by the three protagonists, Maurice Moss, Eileen Cox (of the Natural History Museum, and Tony Chamberlain who mounted the Marine Diatom Workshop at the University of Surrey's School of Biological Sciences on April 13th.

18 members attended a most enjoyable and instructive day. Maurice started by describing the day's programme and then introducing Eileen Cox, a well-known expert on diatoms.

Eileen summarised the main features of the group emphasising the importance of examining live material, and observing the shape and placing of the chloroplasts.

We then repaired to one of the laboratories where everything was laid out for us, and Maurice explained the use of the laboratory microscopes:

We then spent the morning examining the material. Maurice had made collections the previous day. What a pleasure it is to see professionals emphasise the importance of the examination of live materials! Eileen Cox in particular has written a book on this aspect of diatom taxonomy.

I found a number of interesting diatoms, including this Scoliotropis emerging from the detritus (left) and a naviculate seen in girdle view (right) The Scoliotropis shows clearly marked pyrenoids

A break for lunch then followed, this being taken in the Common Room, with free coffee and biscuits available.

After lunch Tony Chamberlain (Senior Lecturer at Surrey) gave a fascinating talk on diatom 'glue'. Diatoms stick not only to one another in some cases, but also foul ships' hulls. The structure of the glue varies according to type of water flow (smooth - laminar) or turbulent (rough) the diatom sits in. Who'd have thought that such a subject would have serious commercial importance?

More lab work followed in the afternoon, and then after tea and biscuits in the Common Room we all went our separate ways.

It was all a most stimulating day, and our grateful thanks are due to Eileen Cox, Tony Chamberlain, Allan Brinkworth (Business Secretary) and especially to Maurice Moss, who had clearly put a lot of thought - and physical hard work! - into the programme.