Indeed the microscope can give us greater insight into the process and the relationships that are developing. After about one week, there is a clearly visible layer of entrapped and attached organisms. Mineralisation of the biofilm begins to occur. In areas exposed to sunlight, algae growth can cover the film. In areas without sunlight, the film can become completely overlaid with silt and mineral deposits.
Light penetration has a definite influence on colonisation in the marine environment.
The attached and embedded organisms have to adapt to variations in light and nutrient penetration. Thus, each layer of colonisation influences the next.