Protected surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy for the study of geochemically significant chlorophyll transformation products

Protected surface-enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy (PSERRS) is presented as a new technique for the study of sedimentary chlorophyll transformation products. The technique combines rapid acquisition of structure-sensitive spectra with a good level of analytical sensitivity. The benefits of these attributes are demonstrated in PSERRS studies of two pheophytins isolated from the sediment of Loch Ness, and of the diastereomers of a rearranged chlorophyll transformation product, C(132)-hydroxychlorophyllone, that occurs widely in sediments both from lacustrine and marine environments.