TY - JOUR
T1 - Microscale characterization of algal and related particulate organic matter by direct temperature-resolved mass spectrometry
AU - Eglinton, Timothy I.
AU - Boon, Jaap J.
AU - Minor, Elizabeth C.
AU - Olson, Robert J.
PY - 1996/1/1
Y1 - 1996/1/1
N2 - In this paper we report a preliminary investigation of laboratory algal cultures and natural populations of marine particles utilizing Direct (i.e. "in-source") Temperature-resolved Mass spectrometry (DT-MS). With this technique the potential exists to characterize microgram quantities of particulate organic matter (POM) at the molecular level. Two particular aspects of the approach set DT-MS apart from previous pyrolysis (Py)-MS investigations. First, temperature resolution allows characterization of both desorption (biolipid) and pyrolysis (biopolymeric) products in a single measurement. Second, an improved sample inlet configuration enables compounds exhibiting a broad range of polarities and molecular weights to be transmitted to the analyzer. The above features, coupled with the rapid analysis time (typically 5 min/sample) and amenability to statistical data reduction procedures, renders DT-MS well suited for profiling or mapping molecular-level variations in POM composition at a spatial and temporal resolution hitherto impractical using conventional biochemical assays. To illustrate the versatility of the approach and extent of (bio)chemical information available from DT-MS, we have analyzed a series of algal cultures together with selected POM samples collected in sediment traps and filtered from hydrocasts. We have also exploited the inherent sensitivity of DT-MS, to obtain information on compositional variability between and, more significantly, within particle size classes. Results of the latter, which was attained by conducting DT-MS measurements on particles sorted by flow cytometry, reveal substantial internal variations in chemical composition.
AB - In this paper we report a preliminary investigation of laboratory algal cultures and natural populations of marine particles utilizing Direct (i.e. "in-source") Temperature-resolved Mass spectrometry (DT-MS). With this technique the potential exists to characterize microgram quantities of particulate organic matter (POM) at the molecular level. Two particular aspects of the approach set DT-MS apart from previous pyrolysis (Py)-MS investigations. First, temperature resolution allows characterization of both desorption (biolipid) and pyrolysis (biopolymeric) products in a single measurement. Second, an improved sample inlet configuration enables compounds exhibiting a broad range of polarities and molecular weights to be transmitted to the analyzer. The above features, coupled with the rapid analysis time (typically 5 min/sample) and amenability to statistical data reduction procedures, renders DT-MS well suited for profiling or mapping molecular-level variations in POM composition at a spatial and temporal resolution hitherto impractical using conventional biochemical assays. To illustrate the versatility of the approach and extent of (bio)chemical information available from DT-MS, we have analyzed a series of algal cultures together with selected POM samples collected in sediment traps and filtered from hydrocasts. We have also exploited the inherent sensitivity of DT-MS, to obtain information on compositional variability between and, more significantly, within particle size classes. Results of the latter, which was attained by conducting DT-MS measurements on particles sorted by flow cytometry, reveal substantial internal variations in chemical composition.
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U2 - 10.1016/0304-4203(95)00073-9
DO - 10.1016/0304-4203(95)00073-9
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0029668407
SN - 0304-4203
VL - 52
SP - 27
EP - 54
JO - Marine Chemistry
JF - Marine Chemistry
IS - 1
ER -