Thalassorheology, organic matter and plankton: towards a more viscous approach in plankton ecology

Abstract

Rheology is the study of how materials deform, particularly those materials not conforming to ideal solid or ideal liquid models. This is the case for much ocean water, due largely to the presence of organic exopolymeric substances, including mucilage, derived mostly from phytoplankton and bacterioplankton. This material makes the water more viscous and gives it elasticity. Thalassorheology concerns the rheology of seawater and other natural waters. Ocean scientists and rheologists generally know little of each other's work. The aim of this paper is to show that collaboration would be beneficial to modelling the oceans, and to guide the formation of interdisciplinary teams, and a working has been formed for this purpose.