Towards a microscale characterization of TEP-like organic aggregates: a comprehensive suite for image analysis of two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures

Transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) are abundant gel-like colloids pivotal in marine carbon cycling and water treatment processes. Their environmental roles are governed by hierarchical architectures, yet in-situ structural characterization remains challenging due to transparency, fragility, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers of environmental science & engineering Vol. 19; no. 12; p. 162
Main Authors: Meng, Shujuan, Hou, Shanshan, Fan, Wenhong, Niu, Bihui, Yang, Linyan, Oh, Wen-Da, Zhang, Meng
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Beijing Higher Education Press 01.12.2025
Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:
Aggregates
Calcium ions
Carbon
Carbon cycle
Chemical oxygen demand
Colloiding
Colloids
Density gradients
Earth and Environmental Science
Engineering
Environment
Form factors
Fractal geometry
Fragility
Heterogeneity
Image analysis
Image processing
Ionic strength
Magnesium
Microplastics
Morphology
Polymorphism
Research Article
Software
Statistical models
Structural analysis
Systems analysis
Two dimensional analysis
Viscosity
Water treatment
2D and 3D modelling
Morphological features
Image analysis
Transparent exopolymer particles
ISSN:2095-2201, 2095-221X
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) are abundant gel-like colloids pivotal in marine carbon cycling and water treatment processes. Their environmental roles are governed by hierarchical architectures, yet in-situ structural characterization remains challenging due to transparency, fragility, and polymorphism. To address this, we developed an integrated image analysis suite combining advanced processing with statistical modeling, enabling simultaneous 2D/3D quantification of TEP morphology and intra-particle heterogeneity. This framework generates multidimensional descriptors (e.g., fractal dimensions, density gradients) for individual aggregates and assemblies. Applied to cation-mediated aggregation, it revealed divergent bridging behaviors. Mg 2+ induced moderate size changes (2.99–4.08 µm), while Ca 2+ drove exponential growth (1.81–187.76 µm) when ionic strength increasing from 1 to 5 mmol/L. Concurrent form factor reductions (Mg: 0.31 to 0.16; Ca: 0.44 to 0.19) quantitatively distinguish aggregation pathways. The method deciphers ion-specific assembly mechanisms and resolves subtle colloidal interactions, establishing a paradigm for colloidal system analysis with possible applications extending beyond TEP research to other subjects such as microplastic aggregation.
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ISSN:2095-2201
2095-221X
DOI:10.1007/s11783-025-2082-8