Dynamics of phytoplankton productivity and exopolysaccharides (EPS and TEP) pools in the Seine Estuary (France, Normandy) over tidal cycles and over two contrasting seasons

Our results suggest that, in the Seine estuary, between 9% and 33% of the S-EPS pool in the water column can be attributed to phytoplankton excretion, while only 0.4%-1.6% (up to 6.14% in exceptional conditions) originates from the microphytobenthos compartments. Most EPS was attributed to remobilization of detrital carbon pools in the maximum turbidity zone and in the sediment or allochthonous origin.