Preferential adsorption of extracellular polymeric substances from bacteria on clay minerals and iron oxide

▶ EPS-N moieties mainly from proteins are adsorbed preferentially on clay minerals. ▶ EPS-P moieties predominantly from nucleic acids are adsorbed preferentially on goethite. ▶ Hydrogen bonding and the electrostatic interaction are the main forces governing the adsorption of EPS on clay minerals. ▶ Chemical bonding interactions (ligand exchange) contribute to selective fractionation of EPS adsorption on goethite.