Counting microbes gives clues on future sea levels

MEDFORD — Cutting-edge research to understand fluctuations in sea levels caused by climate change looks like this: In a spartan, fluorescent-lighted laboratory, Tufts University researchers peer through microscopes to count microorganisms that resemble tiny snails.

These simple marsh-dwelling creatures called foraminifera, or forams, are choosy about how much time they spend underwater, so they turn out to be surprisingly precise indicators of ancient sea levels.

For the rest of the article see the Boston Globe - 
In Tufts microbe count, clues to future sea levels 
By Carolyn Y. Johnson GLOBE STAFF
The Boston Globe
Nov 10 2014