Islands of Germs: Researchers Discover Pathogens Floating on Tiny Clumps of Aquatic Detritus
Wednesday, May 5, 2010 - 08:20
in Biology & Nature
(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers have found evidence that "marine snow" -- aggregates of organic material floating in water bodies--may act as microscopic, island-like refuges for pathogens, or disease-causing organisms. This detritus may skew water sampling procedures and mathematical models used to predict the transmission of waterborne diseases to humans.