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Biofilm
coatings on particles are both ‘protective’ and ‘highly-sorptive’
matrices for bacterial cells. Their sorptive properties facilitate
the binding and concentration of environmental contaminants, such as
metals and pesticides. Their extracellular polymers (EPS) also form
colloids suspended in the overlying water. The coincidental (and
active) ingestion of biofilm-coated particles (and colloids) by
small marine animals provides a vehicle for the efficient trophic-transfer
of contaminants to animals. We are investigating the roles of
biofilms in the bioavailability of metals and pesticides to a range
of coastal marine animals, such as harpacticoid copepods (see image
below), polychaetes, amphipods, and other marine/estuarine
invertebrates.
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