Early diagenesis of organic matter in the water column and sediments: Microbial degradation and resynthesis of lipids in Lake Haruna

Abstract

Particulate matter, sediment trap, and surface sediment samples collected in freshwater Lake Haruna were studied to understand early diageesis of organic materials in the water column and in bottom sediments. The samples were analyzed for biomarkers, including aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, fatty alcohols, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, β- and ω-hydroxyacids, and α,ω-dicar☐ylic acids. Decreases in concentrations of autochthonous saturated C 12–C 19 fatty acids and polyunsaturated C 18 acids relative to TOC occured with the settling of organic matter ot the lake bottom, whereas the amounts of terrestial saturated C 20–C 30 acids remained almost constant. Conversely, the concentrations of monosaturated fatty acids, branched chain fatty acids, and β- and ω-hydroxyacids, which are probably produced by microbial activity, increased. These results indicate that preferential degradation of algal lipids accompanies microbial resynthesis of lipids during settling, however, terrigenous lipids are relatively stable.