Library Subscription: Guest
International Journal on Algae

Published 4 issues per year

ISSN Print: 1521-9429

ISSN Online: 1940-4328

SJR: 0.168 SNIP: 0.377 CiteScore™:: 0.6 H-Index: 11

Indexed in

Ecological Role of Exopolysaccharides of Bacillariophyta: A Review

Volume 19, Issue 1, 2017, pp. 5-24
DOI: 10.1615/InterJAlgae.v19.i1.10
Get accessGet access

ABSTRACT

This is a review of the role of Bacillariophyta in the formation of biofilms, which are microbial communities immersed in a self-produced matrix of sticky mucus into the extracellular space forming a complex of polymeric substances. We discuss the ecological function of biofilms in coastal ecosystems and estuarine areas, and the role of diatom exudates in the ecology of cells, inhabiting marine sediments and being an important source of carbohydrate components. More than half of the organic carbon found at the bottom of the ocean, a significant portion of which are soluble organic compounds that, is a product of Bacillariophyta photosynthesis. Depending on external conditions and motility, diatoms can release substantial amounts of polymeric substances into the environment, mainly exopolysaccharides (EPS). One of the main ecological functions of EPS in aquatic ecosystems is the bio-stabilization of sedimentary material, providing preservation of the structure of the intertidal zones subject to erosion.

CITED BY
  1. Imchen Madangchanok, Kumavath Ranjith, Barh Debmalya, Azevedo Vasco, Ghosh Preetam, Viana Marcus, Wattam Alice R., Searching for signatures across microbial communities: Metagenomic analysis of soil samples from mangrove and other ecosystems, Scientific Reports, 7, 1, 2017. Crossref

  2. Rathour Rashmi, Gupta Juhi, Mishra Arti, Rajeev Aparna C., Dupont Christopher L., Thakur Indu Shekhar, A comparative metagenomic study reveals microbial diversity and their role in the biogeochemical cycling of Pangong lake, Science of The Total Environment, 731, 2020. Crossref

  3. Morelle Jérôme, Maire Olivier, Richard Anaïs, Slimani Alex, Orvain Francis, Contrasted impact of two macrofaunal species (Hediste diversicolor and Scrobicularia plana) on microphytobenthos spatial distribution and photosynthetic activity at microscale, Marine Environmental Research, 163, 2021. Crossref

  4. Morelle Jérôme, Claquin Pascal, Orvain Francis, Magar Vanesa, Evidence for better microphytobenthos dynamics in mixed sand/mud zones than in pure sand or mud intertidal flats (Seine estuary, Normandy, France), PLOS ONE, 15, 8, 2020. Crossref

  5. Morelle Jérôme, Roose-Amsaleg Céline, Laverman Anniet M., Microphytobenthos as a source of labile organic matter for denitrifying microbes, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 275, 2022. Crossref

Begell Digital Portal Begell Digital Library eBooks Journals References & Proceedings Research Collections Prices and Subscription Policies Begell House Contact Us Language English 中文 Русский Português German French Spain