For the past 12 years Tom Berman had been immersed in studying various aspects of Transparent Expolymer Particles (TEP) in aquatic environments and their role in aquatic biofilm development (coauthoring ~ 20 related publications). Tom’s interest in TEP/microgels came from earlier studies on carbon and nitrogen cycling. Thus he examined the role of TEP in the freshwater Lake Kinneret (Israel) and then later showed the importance of these particles in organic matter cycling and transportation also in the oligotrophic Gulf of Eilat (Red Sea) and Eastern Mediterranean sea. These studies led to the insight that TEP microgels (abundant in both seawater and freshwater are intimately involved in the formation of aquatic biofilms, a multi-billion dollar problem in the water industry, and that TEP is indeed a critical factor in aquatic biofilm development. Tom’s research bridged the gap between studies of TEP in the natural aquatic milieu and its application in the water industries. Subsequently, the importance of minimizing TEP levels in feedwater reaching sensitive surfaces (e.g. reverse osmosis membranes in desalination plants) is now becoming recognized in the water industry. This applied research also led to a revised paradigm of aquatic biofilm formation as facilitated by TEP. In this brief presentation we shall highlight Tom’s contributions to these issues and his ideas on bridging concepts of Particulate Organic Material: Hot Spots, Protobiofilms, Biopolymer Gel Networks, Self Assembled Microgels (SAGs), exopolymer substances (EPS), TEP and other microscopic particles forming sites for microbial colonization in aquatic environments.
