Monoterpinenes as terrigenous markers in Okinawa Trough sediments

Monoterpinenes were isolated from Okinawa Trough sediments at the 1000-m water depth by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and identified by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-data system (GC-MS-DS). Identification has revealed cyclohexene, 1-methyl-5-(1-methylethenyl), cyclohexene, 1-methyl-3-(1-methylethenyl), and cyclohexane, 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene). These monoterpinenes are believed to have been derived from terrigenous higher plant detritus, which may serve as new terrigenous markers.