Microrheology reveals microscale viscosity gradients in planktonic systems

Guadayol, Òscar; Mendonca, Tania; Segura-Noguera, Mariona; Wright, Amanda J.; Tassieri, Manlio; Humphries, Stuart

Abstract

Microbial activity in planktonic systems creates a dynamic and heterogeneous microscale seascape that harbours a diverse community of microorganisms and ecological interactions of global significance. In recent decades a great effort has been put into understanding this complex system, particularly focusing on the role of chemical patchiness, while overlooking a physical parameter that governs microbial life and is affected by biological activity: viscosity. Here we use microrheological techniques to measure viscosity at length scales relevant to microorganisms. Our results reveal the viscous nature and the spatial extent of the phycosphere, the microenvironment surrounding phytoplankton cells, and show heterogeneity in viscosity at the microscale. Such heterogeneity affects the distribution of chemicals and microorganisms, with pervasive and profound implications for the functioning of the planktonic ecosystem.

Citation

Guadayol, Ò., Mendonca, T., Segura-Noguera, M., Wright, A. J., Tassieri, M., & Humphries, S. Microrheology reveals microscale viscosity gradients in planktonic systems

• Working Paper Type: Working Paper
• Deposit Date: Jun 4, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2023
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/21378154
• Publisher URL: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.04.09.033464v2
• Additional Information: BioRxiv preprint. Peer reviewed version at published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences doi: 10.1073/pnas.2011389118