Mass spectra of sn ‐2‐hydroxyarchaeol, a polar lipid biomarker for anaerobic methanotrophy

Abstract

Extremely 13 C‐depleted sn ‐2‐hydroxyarchaeol is widely observed at marine methane seep sites. It is the first biosynthetic product that provides information about a previously unknown microorganism involved in anaerobic methanotrophy, a process that occurs widely in marine sediments. The mono‐ and di‐ TMS derivatives of this compound yield sharply differing and distinctive mass spectra. Depending on reaction conditions, either of these products can be formed in the course of conventional analyses.