Epipsammon

The epipsammon is a type of ecological community consisting of non-motile phytoplankton species (mostly diatoms), which are very small in size (generally less than 20 µm) and live attached to sand grains.^[1] Cyanobacteria also contribute significantly to the total biomass of epipsammon.^[2] Because epipsammon may be periodically buried within the sediment, many species have physiological adaptations that allow them to tolerate low-light conditions and elevated sulfide concentrations, maintaining photosynthetic capacity during extended periods of darkness.^[3] Epipsammon have been reported to contribute significantly to the primary production of shallow sandy habitats and to serve as an important source of energy for secondary production.^[4]