Preservation of exopolymeric substances in estuarine sediments.

The surface of intertidal estuarine sediments is covered with diatom biofilms excreting exopolymeric substances (EPSs) through photosynthesis. These EPSs are highly reactive and increase sediment cohesiveness notably through organo-mineral interactions. In most sedimentary environments, EPSs are partly to fully degraded by heterotrophic bacteria in the uppermost millimeters of the sediment and so they are thought to be virtually absent deeper in the sedimentary column.

Assessing Transformations of Algal Organic Matter in the Long-Term: Impacts of Humification-Like Processes.

Algae and cyanobacteria are important contributors to the natural organic matter (NOM) of eutrophic water resources. The objective of this work is to increase knowledge on the modifications of algal organic matter (AOM) properties in the long term to anticipate blooms footprint in such aquatic environments. The production of AOM from an alga (Euglena gracilis) and a cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa) was followed up and characterized during the stationary phase and after one year and four months of cultivation, in batch experiments.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) coupled to XAD fractionation: Method to algal organic matter characterization.

This work is focused on the development of an analytical procedure for the improvement of the Organic Matter structure characterization, particularly the algal matter. Two fractions of algal organic matter from laboratory cultures of algae (Euglena gracilis) and cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa) were extracted with XAD resins. The fractions were studied using laser desorption ionization (LDI) and Matrix-Assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF).

Organic matter produced by algae and cyanobacteria: quantitative and qualitative characterization.

This work aims at characterizing organic matter produced by an alga Euglena gracilis and a cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa and assessing the evolution of its characteristics during growth. A culture medium was optimized. The species growth phases were monitored using both visible spectrophotometry and flow cytometry cell counting.