Reconstruction of variation in microbial assemblage by sedimentary quinone analysis

一位研究代表开发了利用沉积物中的类异戊二烯对苯二酚和相关化合物进行分析的方法，以重建过去微生物生产力和组合的变化。结果表明，游离生育酚和干酪根结合生育酚在现代和古代(新近纪和白垩纪)沉积物中可能分别作为海洋藻类生物标志物，其结构类似于类异戊二烯苯醌。结合在干酪根中的叶醌可能来自蓝藻，在有限的地质样品中可以作为其生产力的指示器。此外，还指出游离沉积芳香酚是地衣生物标志物，在海洋环境中具有重建其生产力和输入/沉积的潜力。

A research representative developed analytical methods by using isoprenoid quinones and the related compounds in sediment for reconstructing variations in productivity and assemblages of microorganisms in past time. From the results, it was suggested that free and kerogen-bound tocopherols, in which structure are resemble to isoprenoid quinones, could be useful as marine algal biomarker in present and ancient (the Neogene and Cretaceous) sediments, respectively. Phylloquinone bound in kerogen might be derived from cyanobacteria and can be useful as an indicator of its productivity in limited geological samples. In addition, it was pointed out that free sedimentary aromatic quinone, which is thought to be a lichen biomarker, have a potential for reconstructing its productivity and input/sedimentation in marine environment.