Generalitat de Cataluña

Prize

The prize is a unique piece in memory of Ramon Margalef consisted by a sculpture representing a microalga, called Picarola margalefii.

Picarola margalefii Cros et Estrada, 2004, belongs to the coccolithophores, a group of microalgae characterised by cell coverings of calcareous platelets with highly diverse shapes. P. margelefii, found for the first time in Mediterranean waters, was dedicated to Dr. Ramon Margalef, who had strongly encouraged the study of these organisms.

The sculpture of the Picarola margalefii is made by Capdevila Jewellers in sterling silver, copper and wood. It consists of different parts:

• Silver centre: picarola.
• Four waves in oxidised copper: represent the sea (in which the picarola is found) and also Catalonia.
• Round wood: represents the Earth and also a microscope and, by extension, ecological study and research.

Prize 2005-2007