Benthic phases of aCricosphaera sp. (Plymouth Culture Collection no. 156), and of a coccolithophorid obtained from a filamentous plant found growing in the region of high-water mark at Borth, Cardiganshire, have been subjected to a variety of experimental conditions, and viability assessed in terms of their ability to release again the motile cells.

Survival of the benthic cells has been observed in a salinity range of 3–236% with liberation of coccolithophorids directly into the medium at salinities between 3–90 ‰ In the salinity range 90–207% liberation of coccolithophorids was observed on returning the benthic cells to 'normal' sea water after protracted periods of immersion in the media of higher salinities. Benthic cells were found to survive after slow evaporation of the medium and crystallization of the salt around them. Liberation of coccolithophorids has also been obtained after ageing of the culture (e.g. the motile cells have been obtained from an 11-month-old culture). Continued growth of coccolithophorids has been observed at salinities between 6‰. Continued formation of the benthic cells in media of high and low salt concentration resulted in a tendency for the release of coccolithophorids to occur over more restricted salinity ranges.