Thomas S. Bianchi and Elizabeth A. Canuel
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691134147
- eISBN:
- 9781400839100
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691134147.003.0002
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
This chapter provides a brief historical account of the success and limitations of using chemical biomarkers in aquatic ecosystems. It also introduces the general concepts of chemical biomarkers as ...
More
This chapter provides a brief historical account of the success and limitations of using chemical biomarkers in aquatic ecosystems. It also introduces the general concepts of chemical biomarkers as they relate to global biogeochemical cycling. The application of chemical biomarkers in modern and/or ancient ecosystems is largely a function of the inherent structure and stability of the molecule, as well as the physicochemical environment of the system wherein it exists. In some cases, redox changes in sediments have allowed for greater preservation of biomarker compounds; in well-defined laminated sediments; for example, a strong case can be made for paleo-reconstruction of past organic matter composition sources. However, many of the labile chemical biomarkers may be lost or transformed within minutes to hours of being released from the cell from processes such as bacterial and/or metazoan grazing, cell lysis, and photochemical breakdown. The role of trophic effects versus large-scale physiochemical gradients in preserving or destroying the integrity of chemical biomarkers varies greatly across different ecosystems. These effects are discussed as they relate to aquatic systems such as lakes, estuaries, and oceans.Less
This chapter provides a brief historical account of the success and limitations of using chemical biomarkers in aquatic ecosystems. It also introduces the general concepts of chemical biomarkers as they relate to global biogeochemical cycling. The application of chemical biomarkers in modern and/or ancient ecosystems is largely a function of the inherent structure and stability of the molecule, as well as the physicochemical environment of the system wherein it exists. In some cases, redox changes in sediments have allowed for greater preservation of biomarker compounds; in well-defined laminated sediments; for example, a strong case can be made for paleo-reconstruction of past organic matter composition sources. However, many of the labile chemical biomarkers may be lost or transformed within minutes to hours of being released from the cell from processes such as bacterial and/or metazoan grazing, cell lysis, and photochemical breakdown. The role of trophic effects versus large-scale physiochemical gradients in preserving or destroying the integrity of chemical biomarkers varies greatly across different ecosystems. These effects are discussed as they relate to aquatic systems such as lakes, estuaries, and oceans.
Thomas S. Bianchi and Elizabeth A. Canuel
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691134147
- eISBN:
- 9781400839100
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691134147.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
This textbook provides a unique and thorough look at the application of chemical biomarkers to aquatic ecosystems. Defining a chemical biomarker as a compound that can be linked to particular sources ...
More
This textbook provides a unique and thorough look at the application of chemical biomarkers to aquatic ecosystems. Defining a chemical biomarker as a compound that can be linked to particular sources of organic matter identified in the sediment record, the book indicates that the application of these biomarkers for an understanding of aquatic ecosystems consists of a biogeochemical approach that has been quite successful but underused. This book offers a wide-ranging guide to the broad diversity of these chemical biomarkers, is the first to be structured around the compounds themselves, and examines them in a connected and comprehensive way. This book is appropriate for advanced undergraduate and graduate students seeking training in this area; researchers in biochemistry, organic geochemistry, and biogeochemistry; researchers working on aspects of organic cycling in aquatic ecosystems; and paleoceanographers, petroleum geologists, and ecologists.Less
This textbook provides a unique and thorough look at the application of chemical biomarkers to aquatic ecosystems. Defining a chemical biomarker as a compound that can be linked to particular sources of organic matter identified in the sediment record, the book indicates that the application of these biomarkers for an understanding of aquatic ecosystems consists of a biogeochemical approach that has been quite successful but underused. This book offers a wide-ranging guide to the broad diversity of these chemical biomarkers, is the first to be structured around the compounds themselves, and examines them in a connected and comprehensive way. This book is appropriate for advanced undergraduate and graduate students seeking training in this area; researchers in biochemistry, organic geochemistry, and biogeochemistry; researchers working on aspects of organic cycling in aquatic ecosystems; and paleoceanographers, petroleum geologists, and ecologists.
Thomas S. Bianchi and Elizabeth A. Canuel
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691134147
- eISBN:
- 9781400839100
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691134147.003.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
This chapter provides a general background on the synthesis of chemical biomarkers and their association with key metabolic pathways in organisms, as related to differences in cellular structure and ...
More
This chapter provides a general background on the synthesis of chemical biomarkers and their association with key metabolic pathways in organisms, as related to differences in cellular structure and function across the three domains of life. It discusses photosynthesis, the dominant pathway by which biomass is synthesized. It also presents information about chemoautotrophic and microbial heterotrophic processes. The holistic view of biosynthetic pathways of chemical biomarkers provides a roadmap for other chapters in the book, where more specific details on chemical pathways are presented for each of the respective biomarker groups. While other organic geochemistry books have generally introduced the concepts of chemical biomarkers in the context of physical and chemical gradients found in natural ecosystems (e.g., anaerobic, aerobic), this book begins by examining biosynthetic pathways at the cellular level of differentiation.Less
This chapter provides a general background on the synthesis of chemical biomarkers and their association with key metabolic pathways in organisms, as related to differences in cellular structure and function across the three domains of life. It discusses photosynthesis, the dominant pathway by which biomass is synthesized. It also presents information about chemoautotrophic and microbial heterotrophic processes. The holistic view of biosynthetic pathways of chemical biomarkers provides a roadmap for other chapters in the book, where more specific details on chemical pathways are presented for each of the respective biomarker groups. While other organic geochemistry books have generally introduced the concepts of chemical biomarkers in the context of physical and chemical gradients found in natural ecosystems (e.g., anaerobic, aerobic), this book begins by examining biosynthetic pathways at the cellular level of differentiation.
Thomas S. Bianchi and Elizabeth A. Canuel
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- October 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780691134147
- eISBN:
- 9781400839100
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691134147.003.0004
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology
This chapter provides a background on the important role technology has played in the study of chemical biomarkers, and the many advances in the field that have resulted from the development of new ...
More
This chapter provides a background on the important role technology has played in the study of chemical biomarkers, and the many advances in the field that have resulted from the development of new analytical tools. It introduces some of the classic analytical tools used in organic geochemistry, including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), pyrolysis GC-MS, direct temperature-resolved MS, compound-specific isotope analysis, high-performance liquid chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Additionally, characterization of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and chromophoric DOM by fluorescence, use of pulsed amperometric detector (PAD) detectors in the analysis of sugars, and capillary electrophoresis are introduced. Recent advances in the following areas are also covered: (1) analysis of polar organic compounds utilizing liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, (2) multidimensional NMR, and (3) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance MS.Less
This chapter provides a background on the important role technology has played in the study of chemical biomarkers, and the many advances in the field that have resulted from the development of new analytical tools. It introduces some of the classic analytical tools used in organic geochemistry, including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), pyrolysis GC-MS, direct temperature-resolved MS, compound-specific isotope analysis, high-performance liquid chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Additionally, characterization of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and chromophoric DOM by fluorescence, use of pulsed amperometric detector (PAD) detectors in the analysis of sugars, and capillary electrophoresis are introduced. Recent advances in the following areas are also covered: (1) analysis of polar organic compounds utilizing liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, (2) multidimensional NMR, and (3) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance MS.
