Abstract
In this study the chemical structure of algaenans isolated from the freshwater algae
Tetraedron minimum, Pediastrum boryanum and
Botryococcus braunii are compared with their fossil counterparts by means of RuO
4 oxidation. The results show that the algaenans investigated are preserved in sediments with only minor structural alterations. However, product mixtures from RuO
4 degradation of the fossil algaenans exhibit a broader distribution of oxidation products than freshly isolated algaenans indicating that the fossil biopolymers contain a greater proportion of ether cross-links, which maybe an effect of diagenetic alteration or different algal strains. Despite these differences, fossil algaenans can still be recognised chemically on the basis of the specific RuO
4 oxidation products, even after 50 Ma of sediment burial.