Summer is the best time to go to the beach and take a dip into the ocean. But there are people who are hesitant in fear of getting stung by a jellyfish, pricked by a sea urchin, stepping on a coral, or maybe getting surprised by a shark (specially in Australia). Yes, these are some of the probably most obvious threats that are hiding in the water.
However, photographer David Liittschwager has discovered something – another reason why you should be a little bit cautious when swimming in the ocean and most likely, not to drink seawater.
Magnified 25 times, this is what a drop of seawater looks.
It contains a bizarre collection of Chaetognaths…
They are commonly known as “arrow worms”. They are small marine invertebrates (from 2 to 120 millimeters in length), mainly planktonic and are considered as predatory swimmers.
Copepods…
These are tiny bug-like crustaceans that you can see with your eyes, but they don’t get much bigger than 2 millimeters. They form the most abundant source of protein.
Crab Larva…
Though this transparent anthropod has a long way to go before becoming an adult, it’s various body parts are already clearly visible.
Cyanobacteria…
It doesn’t have great diversity of form and a very tiny organism but it’s rich chemical diversity and is considered as the origin of oxygen on Earth’s atmosphere.
Diatoms…
With their exquisitely beautiful silica shells, diatoms are among the loveliest microfossils. They are also among the most important aquatic microorganisms today as they are a food source for marine organisms.
Fish Eggs…
Nearly all fish lay eggs and most of its species discharge a large number of fertilized eggs into the open ocean, most of which will then be eaten.
and Marine Worms.
This is a kind of marine worm called polychaete which is commonly known as “bristle worm” because of its tiny hair-like appendages.
The Earth’s open seas are a home to countless tiny animals and plants collectively known as plankton. So when you swallow seawater, you’re not just ingesting salt; you’re gulping down an entire ecosystem with a whole of creepy crawlies.
