We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Heterogeneity of Transparent Exopolymer Particles in a Coastal Marine Environment (Sagami Bay, Japan): Seasonal Variation and Its Possible Bacterial Causes
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated the seasonal variation and potential bacterial drivers of transparent exopolymer particle (TEP) heterogeneity in a coastal marine environment in Sagami Bay, Japan. TEPs, which form naturally in seawater from dissolved organic matter, play roles in regulating the transport of both microplastics and pollutants in coastal waters.
Transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs) play important roles in the regulation of carbon and pollutant (microplastics and spilled oils) transport in marine environments; however, the factors controlling TEP dynamics in coastal systems have yet to be fully clarified. A widely used colorimetric method quantifies TEPs as a homogeneous pool, which hampers the examination of internal TEP dynamics. Here, we used the microscopy to elucidate the seasonal dynamics of TEP subgroups and their controlling factors in Sagami Bay, Japan. TEPs were classified into three types: those not associated with other types of particles (Type I), those colonized by multiple types of particles (bacteria, algal cells, and detritus) (Type II), and those densely colonized by only bacterial clusters (Type III). Type II was generally the most dominant TEP component in terms of area, except in February, when Type I contributed substantially to the total TEP area. Type III was less abundant in terms of area but contributed substantially (up to 34%) to the total number of TEPs. The mean diameters were 14.0 ± 2.8 μm, 17.0 ± 5.8 μm, and 7.5 ± 0.9 μm for Type I, Type II, and Type III TEPs, respectively. Type I and Type III TEPs likely represent a transient phase of TEP development toward the formation of Type II, characterized by a high turnover and relatively low abundance in terms of area. The power-law slopes of the distributions of each TEP size, which reflected geometric features of the TEPs at steady state, changed dynamically over the seasons. The abundance of each type of TEP was significantly positively correlated with bacterial abundance, suggesting that bacteria are intimately involved in the regulation of internal TEP dynamics in Sagami Bay. Our results highlight the importance of investigating the internal dynamics of TEPs to improve current understanding of their roles in the regulation of carbon and pollutant transfer in marine environments.
More Papers Like This
Presentation_1_Heterogeneity of Transparent Exopolymer Particles in a Coastal Marine Environment (Sagami Bay, Japan): Seasonal Variation and Its Possible Bacterial Causes.pdf
AI summary Read the abstract
This presentation provides data on transparent exopolymer particle (TEP) dynamics in a coastal marine environment in Sagami Bay, Japan, examining seasonal variation and bacterial influences. TEPs are relevant to microplastic transport as they can facilitate particle aggregation and sinking in the ocean.
Agglomeration of nano- and microplastic particles in seawater by autochthonous and de novo-produced sources of exopolymeric substances
AI summary Read the abstract
Nano- and microplastic particles in seawater were found to readily form agglomerates with naturally produced exopolymeric substances, altering their surface properties, size, and sinking behavior compared to pristine particles. The study demonstrates that natural organic matter in seawater fundamentally changes how plastic particles behave and interact with marine organisms and sediments.
What influences the distribution of microplastics in the marine environment? An interdisciplinary study reveals key factors driving microplastic in the North Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers deployed an autonomous surface vehicle in Germany's North Sea Bight to simultaneously sample air, sea surface microlayer, and underlying water for microplastics and extracellular polymeric substances. Combining in-situ oceanographic measurements with MP mass quantification, they found that EPS from microorganisms influences MP aggregation and transport dynamics, helping explain distribution patterns of MPs in the marine environment.
Plastic After an Extreme Storm: The Typhoon-Induced Response of Micro- and Mesoplastics in Coastal Waters
AI summary Read the abstract
Surveys conducted before and after a typhoon in Sagami Bay, Japan found that the storm significantly altered concentrations and characteristics of micro- and mesoplastics in coastal waters approximately 30 km offshore, demonstrating that extreme storms are important drivers of plastic redistribution at sea.
Mechanistic understanding of the aggregation kinetics of nanoplastics in marine environments: Comparing synthetic and natural water matrices
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated aggregation kinetics of polystyrene nanoplastics in marine environments, finding that organic matter type and salt concentration strongly influenced particle stability, with nanoplastics in natural seawater aggregating differently than in synthetic matrices.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.