title: 2-Ethyl-3-methylmaleimide in Tokyo Bay sediments providing the first evidence for its formation from chlorophylls in the present photic and oxygenic zone.
abstract: Tokyo Bay bottom sediments were analyzed for 2-ethyl-3-methylmaleimide, a degradation product of chlorophylls, which has been detected in ancient sediments. It was found in all sediments examined in concentrations of about 1 to 15 nmol/g- of dried sediment, and it was shown to be preserved for 100 years in the sediments. Its depth distribution agreed with that of the reported total organic carbon content of the sediments, reflecting a change in primary productivity. We concluded that this maleimide was produced under photic and oxygenic conditions in nature before the incorporation of photosynthesizing organisms into sediments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Tsukuba, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kozono
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nomoto
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mita
authors.forename: Ryoshi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ishiwatari
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shimoyama
mesh_terms: D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000737:chemistry*; D004777:Environment; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D007564:Japan; D008027:Light; D008301:Maleimides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010100:Oxygen
chemical_list: C474814:2-ethyl-3-methylmaleimide; D008301:Maleimides; D002734:Chlorophyll; D010100:Oxygen