1. Transparent exopolymer particle (TEP) dynamics in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
- Author
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Bar-Zeev, E., Berman, T., Rahav, E., Dishon, G., Herut, B., Kress, N., and Berman-Frank, I.
- Subjects
CARBON ,POLYSACCHARIDES ,COAGULATION ,SEDIMENTATION & deposition ,MARINE ecology - Abstract
The article discusses a study on seasonal patterns of transparent exopolymer particle (TEP) formation and its role in carbon cycling and transport. TEP are microscopic organic particles that are made up of acidic polysaccharides and are active in coagulation processes that enhance the formation and sedimentation of structures like marine snow. In this study, the authors measured depth and spatial distribution of TEP in the Levantine basin of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. They found that TEP were less concentrated in deep chlorophyll maximum layer. They conclude that TEP are important in carbon cycling and transportation in ultra-oligotrophic environments.
- Published
- 2011
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