Normally formed | with typical form. |
Abnormally formed | departing from normal form in some way, includes all the categories below. |
Coccolithogenesis | process of coccolith development and growth {Outka and Williams 1971} |
Proto-coccolith ring | earliest stage of coccolith growth, crystal-units simple without differentiation of elements. {Young 1989} |
Incomplete coccolith | elements differentiated but incompletely grown. |
Complete coccolith | all elements fully grown. |
Under-calcified | coccolith with elements markedly thinner than normal for the species. |
Normally calcified | coccolith with elements of normal thickness for the species. |
Over-calcified | coccolith with elements markedly thicker than normal for the species. |
Overgrowth | secondary inorganic growth of calcite on elements. |
Etching | secondary inorganic dissolution of calcite from elements. |
X | Excellent preservation | coccoliths appear pristine. |
E1 | Slight etching | serrate outlines, partial dissolution of delicate structures. |
E2 | Moderate etching | irregular outlines, dissolution of most delicate structures and species. |
E3 | Strong etching | much material fragmented, only resistant species left. |
O1 | Slight overgrowth | overgrowth of shield and central-area elements noticeable but does not obscure details. |
O2 | Moderate overgrowth | many elements with large overgrowths, many details obscured. |
O3 | Strong overgrowth | only overgrown elements, identifications very limited. |