Sugar and Lipid Components in Sea Foam near Kelp Beds

Abstract. A component analysis of the sugar and lipid fraction in foam layers around kelp beds on the South African west coast showed the following trends: In the residue of foam drainage of both 12 h and 120 h old foam the sugar fraction is represented by mannose (33–41 %), galactose (4–30%), fucose (3–29%) and glucose (19–26%). With the exception of fucose, the same components could be found in foam filtration. In the lipid fraction the main fatty acids are palmitic (23.3–27.3%), oleic (14.0–5.5%) and timnodonic acid (11.2–9.1%). Selacholeinic acid was only found in 12 h old foam while lignoceric acid could not be located in foam filtration. Against expectation mannitol was not identified in quantifiable amounts in foam samples although it is the dominant component of kelp mucilage, whose presence is of major importance for foam formation. Hypotheses explaining the lack of mannitol are forwarded. Component sugar and lipid content for 11 of foam was calculated and estimation of sugar and lipid content in an average foam patch (volume of 30001) is given. The importance of foam formation as a mechanism for binding and transfer of energy in the marine environment is emphasized.     

Physiological acclimation strategies of riparian plants to environment change in the delta of the Tarim River,China

The occurrence and development of riparian forests, which were mainly dominated by mesophytes species related closely with surface water. Since there was no water discharged to the lower reaches of Tarim River in the past three decade years, the riparian forests degrade severely. The groundwater table, the saline content of the groundwater, as well as the content of free proline, soluble sugars, plant endogenous hormones (abscisic acid (ABA), and cytokinins (CTK)) of the leaves and relative rates of sap flow of the Populus euphratica Oliv. (arbor species), Tamarix ramosissima Ldb. (bush species), and Apocynum venetum L. (herb species) were monitored and analyzed at the lower reaches of the Tarim River in the study area where five positions on a transect were fixed at 100 m intervals along a sampling direction from riverbank to the sand dunes before and after water release. The physiological responses and acclimation strategies of three species to variations in water and salinity stress were discussed. It was found that A. venetum population recovered to groundwater table ranging from −1.73 to −3.56 m, and when exposed to saline content of the groundwater ranging from 36.59 to 93.48 m mol/L; P. euphratica appeared to be more sensitive to the elevation of groundwater table than the A. venetum and T. ramosissima at groundwater table ranging from −5.08 to −5.80 m, and when exposed to saline content of the groundwater ranging from 42.17 to 49.55 m mol/L. T. ramosissima tended to be the best candidate species for reclamation in this hyper-arid area because it responded to groundwater table ranging from −1.73 to −7.05 m, and when exposed to saline content of the groundwater ranging from 36.59 to 93.48 m mol/L. These results explained the distribution patterns of desert vegetation in the lower reaches of the Tarim River. Understanding the relationships among ecological factors variables, physiological response and acclimation strategies of plant individuals could provide guidance to sustainable management, reclamation and development of this and similar regions.     

An inventory of factors that affect polysaccharide production by Phaeocystis globosa

Phaeocystis material contains polysaccharides that are built from at least eight different monosaccharides. Differences have been reported between the carbohydrate composition of different Phaeocystis species, and also between samples taken from Phaeocystis globosa blooms in different areas. In order to elucidate factors that could play a role in determining variation in carbohydrate composition and production, a number of Phaeocystis globosa strains were studied under laboratory conditions. Although there was a clear distinction of a northern and a southern cluster in the Phaeocystis globosa strains based on RAPD analysis, the differences in the composition of the mucopolysaccharides were relatively small. The contribution of glucose, however, ranged from 7–85% of total sugars. A strain that was cultured in seawaters of diverse origin produced polysaccharides of a different composition, suggesting the effect of environmental factors. The presence of bacteria affected neither the amount, nor the composition of the carbohydrates that were produced by Phaeocystis globosa. Glucose is part of both the intracellular polysaccharide pool and of the mucopolysaccharides in the colony matrix. Using specific digestion of the intracellular chrysolaminaran by laminarinase, the distribution of polysaccharides over different pools could be assessed. During growth of an axenic, mucus-producing strain, the portion of glucose present as chrysolaminaran appeared to increase. The polyglucose that was not digested by laminarinase remains unidentified. This study shows that environmental factors rather than strain differences determine differences in the sugar composition of Phaeocystis globosa, especially with respect to the glucose content of the material. A difference in the contribution of glucose could be correlated to the portion of cells in the culture that are not in the colonies. Our study emphasises that for studying polysaccharide dynamics in Phaeocystis globosa it is important to be able to discriminate between the different polysaccharide pools. Preliminary results of an enzymatic approach were promising     

6-脱氧-D-古洛七碳糖氟苷的合成

本文发展了一种制备稀有6-脱氧-D-古洛七碳糖的新方法。以4,6-O-苄基-1-脱氧-1-C-烯丙基-(-D-半乳糖苷为原料,经糖醛酸脱羧氟代等关键步骤,以13步30%的总收率合成了正交保护的6-脱氧-D-古洛七碳糖氟苷,为稀有高碳糖的合成提供了新的思路。     

Biogeochemistry of Mangrove Soil Organic Matter: a Comparison BetweenRhizophoraandAvicenniaSoils in South-eastern Brazil

Soil core samples fromRhizophora mangleL. andAvicennia schauerianaStapf & Leech forests from south-eastern Brazil were analysed for their total organic matter content and their sugars, amino acid and amino sugars composition. Organic carbon and nitrogen contents were higher inAvicenniathan inRhizophorasoils. The contribution of sugars and amino acids to the total organic carbon pool was constant with depth inRhizophorasoils whereas inAvicenniasoils it increased. Spectral distribution of sugars and amino acids showed a dominance of Ca-affine monomers, particularly acidic amino acids, and the sugar arabinose. Biogeochemical indicators derived from ratios of individual sugar and amino acid monomers confirm previous studies which showed that organic matter in both soils is mainly of mangrove origin. The results further suggest accumulation of organic matter inRhizophorasoils and a continuing degradation of organic matter inAvicenniasoils. The latter may thus release more nutrients to adjacent ecosystems thanRhizophorasoils.     

Amino Sugars and Their Indicating Role in the Cycling of Organic Matter in Marine Environment

As a kind of marine organic matter with important geochemical characteristics, amino sugars can effectively reflect the source, diagenetic state and mineralization process of organic matter by their concentration and composition in marine environment. This article systematically concluded the research progresses of amino sugars from the aspects of their source, composition and distribution characteristics in marine environment, and the role as a biomarker indicating source and diagenetic state of marine organic matter. The result showed that the macromolecular morphology, the oxygen and nutrient level and the sedimentary environment could affect the reactivity of amino sugars. The higher ratios of glucosamine to galactosamine (GlcN/GalN) and the Total Hydrolysable Amino Acids to Total Hydrolysable Amino Sugars (THAA/THAS) can reflect the fresh planktonic organic matter source and the lower ratios can reflect the conversion from planktonic to bacterial organic matter. The carbon and nitrogen normalized yield of total hydrolysable amino sugars, however, could give contradictory results depending on the relative contribution of the source and degradation degree of organic matter. Muramic acid is suitable to estimate the contribution of relatively fresh bacteria organic matter to particulate and sediment organic matter, but it is not suitable for applying in the dissolved organic matter because of its very low concentration leading from its rapid recycle. It is critical to enhance the research on the contribution of different microorganisms to amino sugars and differentiate the influence of organic matter source and degradation on amino sugars in marine environment. The research on the conversion and fate of amino sugars in marine environment is also needed.     

Progress on Analytical Methods of Amino Sugars in Environmental Samples

As a kind of important biogenic organic matter, amino sugars can effectively provide insights for the source of organic matters and the contribution of bacterial organic matters based on their concentrations and compositions in the environment. A large number of studies on the analysis of amino sugars have been conducted for environmental samples throughout the world. However, comprehensive and systematic reviews of new progress on the analytical method are still rare. From the aspects of pretreatment methods and detection techniques, the advantages and disadvantages and applicable conditions of three common methods (eg. gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography and infrared spectroscopy) were systematically summarized. In terms of pretreatment, the process of the gas chromatography is cumbersome and requires derivatization, while the pretreatment of high performance liquid chromatography is relatively simple and easier to automate. In respect of instrument detection, the gas chromatography can detect four amino sugars (glucosamine, galactosamine, mannosamine and muramic acid) simultaneously and is more stable than the high performance liquid chromatography. In addition, the infrared spectroscopy method has the advantages of structural qualitative, however, its sensitivity is lower. There is no analytical method that can guarantee both sensitive analysis of amino sugars and experimental efficiency. Therefore, the analytical method should be reasonably selected according to the form of the sample and the requirements in the analysis of amino sugars. Further work should focus on economy, compatibility and online automation of analytical methods, so as to provide technical support for the research on biogeochemical processes of amino sugars in the environment.     

黄河三角洲滨海湿地不同盐分质量浓度下土壤微生物死亡残体的差异

利用微生物生物标识物（氨基糖）,探讨盐分对黄河三角洲滨海湿地土壤微生物残体以及微生物残体对土壤有机碳（SOC）库贡献的影响。在滨海湿地生态系统中,随着土壤盐分增加,微生物死亡残体及其对SOC的贡献显著降低,表明高盐滨海湿地不利于土壤微生物死亡残体的积累及其对SOC的贡献。增加的盐分降低了土壤真菌死亡残体与细菌死亡残体的比值。线性回归分析指出土壤含水量、SOC、总氮（N）、交换性钙离子以及真菌死亡残体/细菌死亡残体与微生物死亡残体对SOC的贡献显著正相关。在低盐滨海湿地,良好的土壤条件（如高的水分、SOC和N）通过增加微生物死亡残体的积累和稳定性,促进了SOC的存储;而在高盐滨海湿地,低的可利用碳抑制了微生物死亡残体对SOC的贡献。另外,从低盐到高盐滨海湿地,真菌死亡残体对SOC的贡献逐渐下降,而细菌死亡残体对SOC的贡献没有变化,表明真菌死亡残体的积累对SOC的存储具有较大的影响。     

东海表层沉积物中中性糖的赋存特征及其在有机质降解中的指示

中性糖作为有机质的重要组分,其丰度和组成对于沉积物中有机质的来源和降解等生物地球化学过程具有重要的指示意义。本文在对2009年和2010年采集自东海的24个表层沉积物中有机质和中性糖组成以及分布特征进行分析的基础上,探讨了中性糖及其组分在指示东海表层沉积物有机质来源和降解程度中的作用。结果表明:东海表层沉积物中有机碳(TOC)和中性糖(NS)含量较高,分别为66.8—1441.7?mol/g和0.40—4.87?mol/g,平均浓度分别为(409.4?55.2)?mol/g和(3.07?0.31)?mol/g,NS占有机碳的碳摩尔百分数为1.88%—8.93%;随着沉积物粒径增大,TOC、NS含量降低,NS中的葡萄糖组分摩尔百分数增大,而半乳糖、甘露糖和木糖组分摩尔百分比减小,表明沉积物中有机质降解程度增大。同时发现,葡萄糖和海藻糖的摩尔分数之和与半乳糖和阿拉伯糖的摩尔分数之和的比值可作为判断沉积有机物降解程度的指标,其值越大,说明沉积有机物的生物降解程度越小。     

Fluxes of amino acids and hexosamines to the deep South China Sea

Settling particles collected by sediment traps deployed between 1987 and 1999 in the northern, central and southwestern South China Sea (SCS) were analysed to study seasonal, interannual and spatial variations in the composition and flux of labile particulate matter. Results were combined with remote-sensing and surface-sediment data in order to describe the factors controlling the preservation of organic matter en route from the upper ocean to the seafloor. Organic carbon, amino acid and hexosamine fluxes generally follow the fluxes of total particulate matter, with maxima during the SW and NE monsoon periods. During non-El Niño conditions spectral amino acid distributions show that degradation of organic matter in the water column decreases as the flux rates increase. This is suggested to be the combined result of enhanced primary productivity, greater input of lithogenics serving as ballast to increase settling rates, and sorption of labile components to clay minerals. During El Niño conditions, in contrast, the degree of organic matter degradation is at very high and comparable levels at all trap sites. Flux component seasonality is strongly reduced except for the coastal upwelling areas, particularly off central Vietnam, which show significantly higher fluxes of organic carbon and lithogenic matter as compared to the open SCS. This suggests that the fluxes are affected by lateral advection of reworked organic matter from riverine sources or resuspended sediments from the nearby shelf/slope. Comparison of the measured organic carbon fluxes in 1200 m depth with those accumulating in surface sediments results in a more than 80% loss of organic matter before final burial in the sediments. The degree of organic matter preservation in the surface sediments of the deep SCS is distinctly lower than in other monsoonal oceans. This may be due to varying lithogenic input and almost complete dissolution of protective biogenic mineral matrices at greater water depth.