Proteins and their amino acid building blocks form a major group of biomolecules in all organisms. In the sedimentary environment, proteins and amino acids have two sources: (1) soft tissues and detritus and (2) biotic skeletal structures, dominantly from calcium carbonate-secreting organisms. The focus of this report is on D/L ratios and concentrations of selected amino acids in interstitial waters collected during ODP Leg 201. The Peru margin sites are generally low in carbonates, whereas the open-ocean sites are more carbonate rich. Seifert et al. (1990, doi:10.2973/odp.proc.sr.112.152.1990) reported amino acid concentrations in interstitial waters from Site 681 (ODP Leg 112) comparable to Leg 201 Site 1229.

Supplement to: Mitterer, Richard M (2006): Ratios and concentrations of selected amino acids in interstitial waters, equatorial Pacific and Peru Margin, ODP Leg 201. In Jørgensen, BB; D'Hondt, SL; Miller, DJ (eds.) Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results, College Station, TX (Ocean Drilling Program), 201, 1-7