FIGURE 6.

Conceptual summary of events determining the particle associated microbial community composition, from the stochastic attachment of present bacteria in the water column (A) through competitive and viral interactions (B) to carbon-quality driven changes in community (C). The sequence of events occurring on the particle renders it a generator of genetic diversity through transduction, conjugation, and uptake of naked DNA (D). Microbial attachment is likely to occur rapidly within hours from particle formation. For as long as the particle received internal and external supply of dissolved organic matter, interactions between organisms will determine the community compositions. Depending of the particle’s sinking rate this is a matter of hours to days. Once the supply of fresh organic matter is depleted and the particle’s labile organic matter is consumed carbon-quality driven community shifts will occur, a process that will take place within days from particle formation.