Photosynthetic pigments and perylene in the sediments of southern basin of Lake Baikal

Depth profiles of carotenoids, chlorophylls and related pigments in the sediments of the southern basin of Lake Baikal were analyzed. The photosynthetic pigments were found to be preserved through the sediment cores which spanned several hundreds years. Pigments originating from green algae, diatoms, Cryptophyceae and cyanobacteria were abundant in the sediments and a major part of chlorophylls a and b were preserved as pheophytin. Biogenic perylene was detected throughout the core layers and its presence indicates that the sediment had been anoxic.