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Amino Acids in Deep-Sea Water
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|October 26, 1962
Summary
Researchers identified 17 amino acids in dissolved organic matter from deep-sea water in the Gulf of Mexico. This finding suggests a significant role for this material in the ocean's overall organic budget.
Area of Science:
- Marine chemistry
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a significant component of the ocean's carbon pool.
- Understanding the composition of DOM is crucial for marine ecosystem studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and quantify amino acids present in deep-sea dissolved organic material.
- To assess the contribution of identified amino acids to the oceanic organic budget.
Main Methods:
- Acid hydrolysis of dissolved organic material collected from sea water.
- Amino acid identification using ion-exchange resin chromatography.
Main Results:
- Identification of approximately 17 distinct amino acids, including glutamic acid, lysine, glycine, and others.
- Amino acids were detected in samples from depths up to 3500 meters in the central Gulf of Mexico.
Conclusions:
- Deep-sea dissolved organic material contains a diverse range of amino acids.
- These amino acids likely represent a substantial contribution to the marine organic budget.
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