In a study published in ACS’ Journal of Proteome Research, researchers have developed a new technique to identify indicator compounds in seawater that can provide insight into the species present in coral reefs and their overall health. Marine organisms in coral reefs release a variety of substances into the water, but extracting and analyzing these compounds has been challenging due to the complexity of the marine environment. By modifying dissolved metabolites before extracting them from seawater, the researchers were able to concentrate and analyze previously undetected compounds, including amino acids, amines, pyrimidine nucleosides, and organosulfonic acids.
The study involved collecting and filtering water samples from five coral reefs around the U.S. Virgin Islands, and then attaching a benzoyl functional group to amine- and alcohol-containing metabolites in a series of reactions. The modified metabolites were then extracted and analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, revealing 23 compounds that had not been previously identified near coral reefs. The researchers found that the presence of diseased coral, macroalgae, and crustose coralline algae had the greatest influence on metabolite compositions, and identified three metabolites with significantly different levels among the five reefs.
The researchers attribute the variations in metabolite levels to differences in marine environments and organisms present in the coral reefs. Some compounds, such as the organosulfonic acid DHPS, were consistently found at high levels in all locations, suggesting the presence of coral and associated organisms. This study demonstrates the potential of using these newly identified compounds to monitor coral reef ecosystems for effects from climate change, natural disturbances, and disease activity. The research was funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Cooperative Institutes.
The ability to extract and analyze indicator compounds in seawater provides valuable insights into the species present in coral reefs and their health status. By concentrating and separating these dissolved compounds from the surrounding water, researchers can identify previously undetected metabolites that are relevant to the ecosystem. The modified metabolites extracted from seawater were found to include amino acids, amines, pyrimidine nucleosides, and organosulfonic acids, offering a comprehensive view of the compounds present in coral reef environments.
The study successfully demonstrated how variations in metabolite levels can be linked to specific marine environments and organisms, providing a deeper understanding of the factors influencing coral reef health. By identifying metabolites that are associated with diseased coral, macroalgae, and crustose coralline algae, researchers can monitor the impacts of climate change, natural disturbances, and disease activity on coral reef ecosystems. The presence of certain compounds, such as the organosulfonic acid DHPS, consistently at high levels in all locations, indicates the presence of coral and associated organisms in the reefs.
Overall, this research highlights the importance of studying indicator compounds in seawater to monitor the health of coral reef ecosystems. The newly identified metabolites offer valuable insights into the species present in coral reefs and the factors affecting their health. By developing techniques to extract and analyze these compounds, researchers can better understand the complex interactions within marine environments and track changes over time. This study provides a foundation for future research on using chemical clues to assess the health and resilience of coral reef ecosystems in response to environmental stressors.