Exopolymeric substances (EPS) mechanisms in aggregation & dispersion of oil: Fragmentation of Skeletonema grethae-775 snow – Aggregate characteristics

Results from two laboratory experiments on the fragmentation potential (experiment 1) and microbial respiration (experiment 2) of marine snow (MS) and marine oil snow (MOS) formed in roller tanks. The tanks were filled with Skeltonema grethae and (i) Macondo oil at a final conc. of 1 ml per L to form MOS, and (ii) filtered seawater to form MS. We measured organic carbon (OC) and organic nitrogen (ON) in single aggregates, and estimated oil equivalents (EOE) in the surrounding tank water.