Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1126/sciadv.adw1148
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Constraining biorecalcitrance of carboxyl-rich alicyclic molecules in the ocean
Author Cai, R.; Lechtenfeld, O.J. ORCID logo ; Yan, Z.; Yi, Y.; Chen, X.; Zheng, Q.; Koch, B.P.; Jiao, N.; He, D.
Source Titel Science Advances
Year 2025
Department EAC
Volume 11
Issue 28
Page From eadw1148
Language englisch
Topic T9 Healthy Planet
Data and Software links https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15256601
Supplements https://www.science.org/doi/suppl/10.1126/sciadv.adw1148/suppl_file/sciadv.adw1148_sm.pdf
Abstract Marine dissolved organic matter (DOM) is one of Earth’s largest long-term carbon reservoirs, critical to the global carbon cycle. A key breakthrough in understanding this pool is the identification of biorefractory carboxyl-rich alicyclic molecules (CRAM). Recent studies have challenged the biorecalcitrance of CRAM but lacked detailed molecular evidence. Using advanced online countergradient liquid chromatography–Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry to track microbial incubation, we revealed a wide spectrum of CRAM bioavailability regulated by molecular polarity. CRAM with lower polarity were preferentially degraded, whereas microbial reworking led to production of higher-polarity CRAM, characterized by increased oxidation state, nitrogen content, and aromaticity. Some microbially transformed CRAM were frequently detected in a global DOM dataset of 1485 seawater samples, suggesting their potential persistence in marine environments. This study provides molecular insights into the biorecalcitrance and transformation pathway of CRAM, underscoring the complexity and dynamic nature of marine organic carbon cycling.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=31113
Cai, R., Lechtenfeld, O.J., Yan, Z., Yi, Y., Chen, X., Zheng, Q., Koch, B.P., Jiao, N., He, D. (2025):
Constraining biorecalcitrance of carboxyl-rich alicyclic molecules in the ocean
Sci. Adv. 11 (28), eadw1148 10.1126/sciadv.adw1148