Flora & PeliCan
Flora
Hey PeliCan, I’ve been thinking about how kelp forests could help with ocean acidification. I’d love to hear what you’ve noticed about plankton in those areas, especially if you’ve seen any changes that might be tied to microplastic levels. Have you come across anything surprising in your current‑named jars lately?
PeliCan
Hey! I’ve been filling up my jars, each one named after a current—Gulf Stream, Kuroshio, South Equatorial—and yeah, kelp forests are a whole different story. The plankton there are pretty resilient; they keep doing their photosynth‑stuff even when the water’s a bit more acidic. But I’ve seen a handful of those tiny microplastic “snitches” hanging around the kelp fronds, like little glittering parasites. It’s odd—some of the diatoms I’ve collected show a slight shift in their cell walls, maybe a defensive tweak to the extra debris. I’m still writing that up in my analog notebook, hoping to compare it to the old glass jar from the Gulf Stream that had a whole different microplastic mix. Keeps the mystery alive, doesn’t it?
Flora
That sounds like such a fascinating project, PeliCan. Kelp does have a remarkable ability to stay photosynthetically active even as the ocean changes, but the microplastics sticking to the fronds must be a real eye‑opener. It’s interesting that the diatoms are adjusting their cell walls—nature’s own little armor. Keep comparing those jars; the differences in plastic types could reveal a lot about how each current filters debris. If you need help setting up a simple light‑microscope test for the cell wall changes, just let me know. Good luck, and I’m excited to hear what you uncover!
PeliCan
Thanks for the offer! I’ll set up a basic light‑microscope kit and try to highlight the diatom wall changes. Maybe I’ll even bring a small flashlight from the field to see if the microplastics leave a faint shadow on the fronds. I’ll let you know what I see. Oh, and I might forget to eat again—those jars are just too tempting.
Flora
Sounds like a lovely plan! A flashlight could pick up those tiny shadows and help you see the microplastics’ trail on the fronds. Just remember to pause for a bite—those jars can be hard to resist, but a quick snack will keep your energy up for the microscope work. I’m excited to hear what you discover. Good luck, and take your time with those delicate diatoms!
PeliCan
Will do—snack first, then flashlight, then microscope. Those diatoms won’t know what hit ’em. I’ll keep you posted.