Islands of germs: Researchers discover pathogens floating on tiny clumps of aquatic detritus
Wednesday, May 5, 2010 - 11:31
in Biology & Nature
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.