Chemical characterization of protein-like fluorophores in DOM in relation to aromatic amino acids

A systematic survey of the protein-like fluorescence intensities was conducted at 11 stations along the 137°E transect from bay to oceanic areas in the northwestern Pacific using three-dimensional excitation emission matrix (3DEEM) spectroscopy and the concentrations of aromatic amino acids obtained by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in dissolved organic matter (DOM). The 3DEEM patterns of tyrosine-like and tryptophan-like peaks in protein-like fluorophores were variable across different marine environments. The tyrosine-like peak was observed at all stations and depths, while the tryptophan-like peak was only distinguishable as a clear peak in bay and coastal surface waters. These distribution patterns were similar to those of actual concentrations of tyrosine and tryptophan in total hydrolyzable amino acids (THAA) in DOM. Consequently, the tyrosine- and tryptophan-like fluorescence intensities were interpreted to be correlated to the concentrations of tyrosine and tryptophan, respectively, indicating that tyrosine and tryptophan were responsible for the protein-like fluorescence intensities of DOM. The protein-like fluorescence intensities were also correlated to the concentrations of THAA, suggesting that the dynamics of aromatic amino acids were similar to those of THAA. In addition, protein-like fluorescence intensities may be useful indicators as to the dynamics of not only aromatic amino acids but of THAA in bulk DOM as well. Comparison of the tyrosine- and tryptophan-like fluorescence intensities with the concentrations of aromatic amino acids and THAA suggests that the dissolved amino acids were components of relatively small peptides and not protein molecules.