Controversial observations on the effect of pre-attached bacteria on the attachment of diatoms to artificial surfaces immersed in seawater have been made. Furthermore, it is not known whether or not pre-attached bacteria on artificial surfaces influen...
Controversial observations on the effect of pre-attached bacteria on the attachment of diatoms to artificial surfaces immersed in seawater have been made. Furthermore, it is not known whether or not pre-attached bacteria on artificial surfaces influence attachment of diatoms in natural seawater. In this study, we used various surfaces to which marine bacteria were pre-attached for different incubation periods. In the first experiment, glass slides were initially attached by marine natural bacteria with different exposure time (0-133 hr) and then immersed into seawater for a certain time period. The attachment of diatoms was not affected by the abundance of pre-attached bacteria (p > 0.05). The maximum abundance of attached diatoms was found on control surfaces, and the minimum abundance on surfaces where attached bacterial abundance was highest. In the second experiment, glass slides and acryl slides, either attached by marine natural bacteria for 6 days or coated by agar, were immersed in seawater. Untreated slides were also employed. On the surfaces of acryl slides with the most abundant attached bacteria ($5.4{\pm}0.02{\times}10^5\;cells\;cm^{-2}$), abundances of attached diatoms were less than those on untreated slides. On the surfaces of glass slides with bacterial abundance of $2.5{\pm}1.0{\times}10^5\;cells\;cm^{-2}$, however, abundances of attached diatoms were not different from those of untreated slides. On the agar-coated slides, the immigration rate and immigration coefficient were on average > 2 folds compared to other surfaces, indicating high rates of diatom attachment on mucilage simulated surfaces. Therefore, it seems that pre-attachment of bacteria is not prerequisite for the attachment of diatoms on artificial surfaces.