Coagulation marine snow particles

Formation. Evidence that at least some of the marine snow particles are formed by coagulation has been accumulating. Sedimenting diatoms in a coastal Canadian bay have been observed to change the particle size spectra with depth in a manner consistent with coagulation of the settling particles (22). As already noted, the relatively small fractal dimensions of marine snow particles are consistent with their formation from coagulation processes. 

This relatively well-defined system facilitates laboratory experiments and theoretical simulations. The presence of marine snow particles composed of diatoms after diatom blooms implies that coagulation can occur rapidly in this... 

Alldredge A. L. and McGillivary P. (1991) The attachment probabilities of marine snow and their implications for particle coagulation in the ocean. Deep-Sea Res. 38, 431-443. 

---