LAUSR

Abstract The diagenesis of amino compounds in Lake Baikal was studied in sediment trap material (18 different water depths between 50–1350 m) and underlying sediment (0–40 cm). Total hydrolysable amino acids (THAA), the amino acid (AA) composition including d - and l -enantiomers and amino sugars were analyzed. The study provides information on early diagenesis ( d -AA preferentially accumulated over proteinaceous l -AA. Molar ratios of glucosamine and galactosamine decreased towards a ratio of 1.0 ± 0.1 in the sediment, similar to ratios previously reported for detrital marine organic material. The general pattern of amino compound diagenesis in Lake Baikal resembles the pattern observed in marine systems, indicating a universal character of the processes controlling diagenesis in aquatic environments.