Structural variations in derivatives of the bacteriochlorophylls of Chlorobiaceae: impact of stratigraphic resolution on depth profiles as revealed by methanolysis

Bacteriochlorophylls c and d, recovered from two sedimentary sequences, were converted to bacteriophaeophorbide methyl esters by methanolysis and analysed by atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation liquid chromatography-multi-stage mass spectrometry (APCI LC-MSn). The distributions in both settings, a moderately consolidated sediment from Kirisjes Pond, Antarctica, and in a finely laminated microbial mat from Les Salines de la Trinitat, Spain, show significant variations within a narrow depth interval. The overall bacteriophaeophorbide c to d ratios in the two sediments are different, as are the ratios of particular C-3(1) diastereoisomers, indicating distinct differences between the bacterial communities that contributed to each sediment. Furthermore, a shift towards more extensive alkylation in homologues within each sediment is consistent either with changing environmental conditions in the depositional environments, or development-related changes in the structure of the bacterial community, leading to increased competition for light or nutrients.

Details

Publication status:
Published
Author(s):
Authors: Wilson, Michael A., Hodgson, Dominic A. ORCIDORCID record for Dominic A. Hodgson, Keely, Brendan J.

On this site: Dominic Hodgson
Date:
1 January, 2004
Journal/Source:
Organic Geochemistry / 35
Page(s):
1299-1307
Link to published article:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2004.05.011