Testing a new method for the quantification of exopolymeric substances in the waters (TEP and CSP)

Transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) and Coomassie stainable particles (CSP) represent distinct groups of microbial exopolymer particles (EPS) that play a role in e.g. oil dispersion and MOS formation. We used the well-established spectrophotometrical methods as well as a recently published method that allows direct observations of TEP and CSP in whole water samples using a portable flow-through microscope (FlowCAM). Water samples were taken at different depths at three sites (Taylor Energy, OC26, and GC767) onboard R/V Point Sur (PS17-05).