engleski

Potential of lipids for carbon sequestration in the Atlantic Ocean

We report depth-dependent lipid profiles for lipid extracts from the North Atlantic Ocean and characterized by direct-infusion Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) and thin layer chromatography (TLC). In general, total particulate lipid concentration dropped ten- fold between the ocean surface and 4800 m depth (~40 µg/l and ~4 µg/l, respectively) and the number of observed monoisotopic lipid signals also decreased from ~2800 to ~1500 through the same depth progression. The comparison between lipid concentration and composition of particulate organic matter from the upper productive layers and the deep ocean provides information about the relative reactivity and preservation potential of individual lipids and lipid classes. TLC data indicate that the sulfur-containing glycolipids sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG) are potentially important for carbon storage in the deep ocean. Tentative molecular identification based on FT-ICR MS data has revealed that there are more than 150 sulfur-containing lipids in deep ocean samples. Our data imply that selective accumulation of the lipids occurs in the water column as the POC sinks. Details on the depth-related lipid changes and possible influential factors will be discussed.

lipids ; carbon sequestration ; Atlantic ; FT-ICR MS

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