Over the past 20 years I have collected a number of high quality samples of diatomite and freshly collected diatom samples from all over the world. I have then spent considerable time and effort in cleaning these samples. Some of the many different samples I have available are listed below.
I offer small 1.5 mL plastic snap-cap vials of these cleaned materials suspended in distilled water. This may not seem like a lot of material, but this will make many dozens of microscope slides. To make up a slide for observation (a strew), mix the tube well and use a medicine dropper to place one or two drops of the suspension onto a microscope slide. If the diatoms are too close together, just add a little distilled water to spread them out. Then just place the slide on the microscope stage and enjoy!
If you are interested in obtaining samples, send me a note using the contact form or send me an email. You can also check out the links to downloads and my description of the Oamaru and Maryland diatomite locations. I have also started a page in memory of my longtime friend and mentor Klaus Kemp illustrating some of his outstanding work. If you want to send me any images of slides that Klaus made for you, I would be glad to share them.
I would also be interested in trading, buying or stealing any diatomites that you might have access to if I don't already have it. In return, I would furnish you a sample of the cleaned material once I finished cleaning it. Send me a note on the contact page if you have such samples and might care to share with me.
Thanks!
Bill Dailey
bill2penn (eBay handle)
diatoms@verizon.net
I offer small 1.5 mL plastic snap-cap vials of these cleaned materials suspended in distilled water. This may not seem like a lot of material, but this will make many dozens of microscope slides. To make up a slide for observation (a strew), mix the tube well and use a medicine dropper to place one or two drops of the suspension onto a microscope slide. If the diatoms are too close together, just add a little distilled water to spread them out. Then just place the slide on the microscope stage and enjoy!
If you are interested in obtaining samples, send me a note using the contact form or send me an email. You can also check out the links to downloads and my description of the Oamaru and Maryland diatomite locations. I have also started a page in memory of my longtime friend and mentor Klaus Kemp illustrating some of his outstanding work. If you want to send me any images of slides that Klaus made for you, I would be glad to share them.
I would also be interested in trading, buying or stealing any diatomites that you might have access to if I don't already have it. In return, I would furnish you a sample of the cleaned material once I finished cleaning it. Send me a note on the contact page if you have such samples and might care to share with me.
Thanks!
Bill Dailey
bill2penn (eBay handle)
diatoms@verizon.net
Recent Freshwater Forms from Crum Creek, Pennsylvania
My local freshwater trout stream, Crum Creek, found in the southeastern part of Pennsylvania, yields a beautiful array of forms. A type slide is shown below. These diatoms were harvested from the creek, cleaned using acids and oxidant followed by many water washes and sieving. A strew of this sample are shown to the left.
Fossil Marine Forms from Dunkirk, Maryland
Dunkirk, Maryland has some of the very best diatomite in the world. This material is from a small outcropping that was deposited about 20 million years ago by a marine source. Some of the forms in this Dunkirk sample are shown in this type slide shown below prepared for me by the late great Klaus Kemp.
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Fossil Marine Forms from Newport Beach, California
Below are images of strews prepared from fossil marine diatomite collected in the Back Bay region of Newport Beach, California. There are a wide variety of unusual forms in this material.
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Fossil Freshwater Forms from Terrebonne, Oregon
Terrebonne, Oregon has a large amount of fossil freshwater diatomite, deposited several thousand years ago. The material is in a remarkable state of preservation.
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Fossil Freshwater Forms from Toome Bridge, Northern Ireland
Toome Bridge, Northern Ireland still mines this diatomite which is in a wonderful state of preservation. The material is equal to that of Terrebonne in quality, but it contains a number of very different forms, some of which are quite small, but very interesting.
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Fossil Freshwater Forms from Loch Cuither, Isle of Sky
This material is similar to that of Toome Bridge.
Fossil Freshwater Forms from Chalk Pond, Maine
Many of the freshwater ponds along the coast of Maine have bogs which are made up of diatomite. Diatomite from Chalk Pond was once mined commercially. However there is still material available. The cleaned material has a number of HUGE pinnularia forms and is similar to the "Cherryfield, Maine" material of the old diatomists.
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Fossil Marine Forms from Oamaru, New Zealand
Oamaru, New Zealand has the most outstanding fossil (eocene) marine diatomite. The forms found in this material are unbelievable. Oamaru diatomite is some of the most challenging diatomite to clean. I have material from most of the classic collection locations such as Allan's Farm, Bains, Cormacks, Forresters, Jackson's Paddock, Papakaio, Williams Bluff and Totara.
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