A
characteristic
of
many
blooms
is the
later-stage
release
of
abundant
extracellular
mucilage,
which
are
typically
rich
in
polysaccharides.
The
overproduction
of
extracellular
polysaccharides
has been
generally
attributed
to a
secondary
metabolite
response
of cells
to the
unbalanced
nature
of the
ambient
nutrient
conditions.
This
results
from
a
continued
abundance
of C (i.e., as carbonate),
while
concurrent
limitations
in other
nutrients
(N, Si or P)
develop.
Such
responses
can be
easily
reproduced
in
laboratory
cultures
of
microorganisms.
However,
some
adaptive
features
of this have been
proposed.
The
aggregation
of cells and EPS, often
leads
to
flocculation
to the
sediment
surface,
although
prolonged
suspension
of
flocs
may
also
occur.