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https://theconversation.com/slime-after-slime-why-those-biofilms-you-slip-on-in-rivers-are-vitally-important-211356>
"You might have noticed it after sliding on a rock in a Melbourne creek. Or it
could have been wading through a Northern Territory waterhole. It’s slime, and
our rivers are full of it. That’s a good thing.
Wherever there are hard surfaces like snags and rocks in our rivers, you’ll
find slime. Or, as ecologists call it, biofilm. Biofilms consist of communities
of microorganisms that include algae, cyanobacteria, bacteria, fungi and
protozoa. Together, they’re fixed in a matrix of natural polymers made by
bacteria and other tiny creatures. It’s this matrix which gives the slippery,
slimy texture we encounter when swimming in rivers.
Biofilms play an important role in our freshwater ecosystems. They underpin
healthy rivers by forming the base of freshwater food webs.
Our new research explores how these common but unsung communities change over
time. We found that biofilms are most nutritious when new – less than six weeks
old. After that, their food value declines."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
