The Research unit Modeling Nature hosted the First meeting on Biophysical approaches to exopolymeric particle dynamics in aquatic ecosystems
http://www.modelingnature.org/workshop
The role and dynamics of exopolymer particles released by phytoplankton and bacteria in the global carbon cycle still have several knowledge gaps. Exopolymer particles can interfere with the exchange of gases at the water-atmosphere interface and can also promote the export of carbon to deep-sea or lake sediments and store it on a long-term scale. An alternative approach to analyzing the behaviour and fate of exopoymeric particles is the theory of polymer networks and gels. This meeting brings together leading experts in the dynamics of exopolymer particles in aquatic ecosystems along with biophysicists and mathematicians with the aim of exploring modeling possibilities to advance the understanding of the global carbon cycle from an interdisciplinary point of view.
Photo credit: Villacorte et al. 2010