| Biogenic siliceous and calcareous sediments were drilled at sites 677 and 678 on the flank of Costa Rica Rift in the Panama basin. We analysed DCAA (dissolved combined amino acids) and DFAA (dissolved free amino acids) in the interstitial waters as well as THAA (total hydrolyzable amino acids) in the sediments in order to evaluate the relationship between THAA, DCAA and DFAA. Comparison of the THAA in the sediments and in marine settling particulate matter (Ittekkot et al., 1984 b) showed that the concentration of non-protein amino acids (e. g., beta-alanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and ornithine) was much higher in the sediments and that the neutral amino acid fraction was depleted in the sediments. These results, together with the organic carbon... |
