Transparent Exopolymer Particles in Deep Oceans: Synthesis and Future Challenges.

Gels

International Coastal Research Center, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, Otsuchi 028-1102, Japan.

Published: June 2021

AI Article Synopsis

  • * Recent studies have focused on the distribution patterns, origins, and impacts of TEP in deep waters, highlighting their importance in biogeochemical processes.
  • * To improve our understanding of how TEP influences carbon cycling, researchers suggest using gel theory and particle coagulation models while also exploring TEP's characteristics and interactions with microorganisms.

Article Abstract

Transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) are a class of abundant gel-like particles that are omnipresent in seawater. While versatile roles of TEP in the regulation of carbon cycles have been studied extensively over the past three decades, investigators have only recently begun to find intriguing features of TEP distribution and processes in deep waters. The emergence of new research reflects the growing attention to ecological and biogeochemical processes in deep oceans, where large quantities of organic carbon are stored and processed. Here, we review recent research concerning the role of TEP in deep oceans. We discuss: (1) critical features in TEP distribution patterns, (2) TEP sources and sinks, and (3) contributions of TEP to the organic carbon inventory. We conclude that gaining a better understanding of TEP-mediated carbon cycling requires the effective application of gel theory and particle coagulation models for deep water settings. To achieve this goal, we need a better recognition and determination of the quantities, turnover, transport, chemical properties, and microbial processing of TEP.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8293251PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/gels7030075DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

deep oceans
12
transparent exopolymer
8
exopolymer particles
8
tep
8
features tep
8
tep distribution
8
processes deep
8
organic carbon
8
deep
5
particles deep
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!