Microbial activities and the transformation of organic matter within mucilaginous material

Mucilaginous material is a potentially important component in many ocean flux processes. A variety of processes occur within mucilage which result in the transformation of organic matter (OM), changes in its composition and physical state, and changes in its apparent lability. Microbial activities occurring within these mucilage microenvironments may closely regulate many of these processes. However, studies of mucilaginous aggregates have often reported conflicting roles regarding the importance of microbial flora in the apparent degradation or persistence of such aggregates. This suggests that microbial processes may be more complex than previously thought and their interactive nature with other parameters are not yet fully understood. The present review critically examines microbially-linked processes within mucilaginous aggregates, and suggests how specific mechanisms can be empirically examined.