Hydrogen isotope fractionation is controlled by CO₂ in coccolithophore lipids.

ABSTRACT: Hydrogen isotope ratios (δ²H) represent an important natural tracer of metabolic processes, but quantitative models of processes controlling H-fractionation in aquatic photosynthetic organisms are lacking. Here, we elucidate the underlying physiological controls of ²H/¹H fractionation in algal lipids by systematically manipulating temperature, light, and CO₂(aq) in continuous cultures of the haptophyte Gephyrocapsa oceanica. We analyze the hydrogen isotope fractionation in alkenones (α_alkenone), a class of acyl lipids specific to this species and other haptophyte algae. We find a strong decrease in the α_alkenone with increasing CO₂(aq) and confirm α_alkenone correlates with temperature and light.

SUBMITTER: Torres-Romero I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11214045 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature