In the Sawmill Sink in Abaco, the water at a depth of 30 to 26 feet is pigmented by the bacteria. But the real danger lies in the hydrogen sulfide gas, which forces divers to hastily proceed through. Photo by Wes C. Skiles.

Atlanta peronii (gastropod mollusk), at 170x magnification, by Peter Parks of Witney, Oxon, United Kingdom. This image won an honorable mention in the 2007 Nikon Small World Competition.

Chick embryo at 6x magnification, by Tomas Pais de Azevedo of Universidade de Lisboa in Portugal. 

organicmommy:

My little scientist

A diffraction image of a protein crystal, which is created by using a particle accelerator to irradiate the protein with X-rays. This technique enables scientists to see internal structures of complex protein molecules such as enzymes. (via)

Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, as seen on cultures of cotton-tail rabbit epithelium cells. (Via the CDC)

Anatomy of the Ear by Victor P. Eroschenko.

A 5-day old zebrafish head at 20x magnification, by Hideo Otsuna, of University of Utah. This image won 2nd place in the 2010 Nikon Small World Competition.

Mitomycin, an anti-cancer drug, at 10x magnification. By Margaret Oechsli, of Jewish Hospital, Louisville, Kentucky. Won 7th place in the 2008 Nikon Small World Competition.

According to the Center for Disease Control:

This digitally-colorized scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an untreated water specimen extracted from a wild stream mainly used to control flooding during inclement weather, revealed the presence of unidentified organisms, which included bacteria, protozoa, and algae. In this particular view, a microorganism is featured, the exterior of which is covered by numerous projections imparting an appearance of a sea urchin. This microscopic “pin cushion” was tethered to its surroundings by a biofilm within which many bacteria, and amoeboid protozoa could be seen enmeshed as well. 

Unpolished, 150 million year-old agatized dinosaur bone cells at 42x magnification. By Douglas Moore of University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point.
This image won 10th place in the 2011 Nikon Small World Competition. 

In this scanning electron micrograph, a small cancerous tumor covered in microvilli, microscopic hairlike structures which enable absorption and secretion, is shown within a human lung. (via National Geographic)

Mast cell within collagen fibers in a human eye with conjunctivitis, at 7000x magnification. 
by Donald Pottle of The Schepens Eye Research Institute