Detection of 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid in suspended particles in an ultraoligotrophic lake: a two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D-NMR) study

Particulate organic phosphorus (P) compounds were examined in ultraoligotrophic Lake Saiko, Japan. A cartridge filter was used to collect sufficient amount of suspended particles for analysis by a two-dimensional NMR (H-1-P-31 heteronuclear multiple bond correlation). 2-Aminoethylphosphonic acid (2-AEP), a phosphonate, was detected in suspended particles in Lake Saiko. The identity of the phosphonate was confirmed by comparison with a commercially available compound. Because 2-AEP is bioavailable, microorganisms can store and use this compound under extremely P-limited conditions. This is the first study to detect 2-AEP in an ultra-oligotrophic environment.