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Modification and,decomposition,processes of material in sedirnents are dominated,by microorganisms. Through microbial colonization, cells become immobilized at particle surfaces and embedded,in an organic matrix of extracellular polysaccharides. The development,of complex,sedi- mentary,biofilms is the net result of transport and exchange,processes,between,the biofilm and sur- rounding water, and modification and transformation processes of matter within the biofilm. This arti- cle illustrates aspects of microbial life in sedimentary biofilms: microbial colonization of particles, key functions of extracellular polysaccharides, spatial heterogeneity of microbial distribution and activity, and distribution and availability of organic carbon. Examination,of our present knowledge,indicates that micro-scale measurements rather than investigations in the bulk sediment are required, that much more attention has to be paid to the fact that microorganisms,condition specific features of their envi- ronment rather than simply reacting to the environment, and that availability instead of concentration of carbon has to be measured. To obtain a better insight into the function of sedimentary biofilrns, tra- ditional approaches,have to be modified. KEY WORDS: Sedimentary biofilm . Spatial heterogeneity . Micro-scale investigation . Particle colo-

Microbial life in sedimentary biofilms the challenge to microbial ecologists