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Geological Society, London, Special Publications; 1998; v. 139; p. 125-134;
DOI: 10.1144/GSL.SP.1998.139.01.10
© 1998 Geological Society of London

LISP-UK Studies

In situ measurements of exopolymer production by intertidal epipelic diatom-dominated biofilms in the Humber estuary

Graham J. C. Underwood & David J. Smith

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, Colchester, Essex CO3 3SQ, UK

Epipelic diatoms are a major component of the microphytobenthos inhabiting fine cohesive sediments. Epipelic diatoms produce carbohydrate-rich exopolymers (EPS) during locomotion. By binding adjacent sediment particles and through the production of a smooth surface layer, EPS can result in biostabilization of intertidal sediments. In situ EPS production rates were measured during spring and neap tide periods as part of the LISP investigation carried out in the Humber Estuary, UK, in Spring 1995. There was a significant relationship between the biomass of diatoms (chl. a) and the concentrations of colloidal carbohydrate on the Skeffling mudflats, and the production of colloidal carbohydrate was closely linked to rates of primary production (c. 10% of photoassimilates present as colloidal-S carbohydrate). However, the production of EPS (the polymeric component of colloidal carbohydrate) was not tightly correlated with the rate of primary production, and ranged between 0.1–1.0% of net benthic primary production. Measurements of incorporation and utilization of 14C labelled carbohydrate fractions indicated that diatoms utilized intracellular carbohydrate stores in EPS production, and that EPS production was higher during darkness and just before tidal cover.