Photochemical decomposition rates of pteridines and flavins in seawater from Rib Reef, Great Barrier Reef

Photochemical decomposition rates of pteridines and flavins in seawater from Rib Reef were determined by reverse-phase liquid chromotography with fluorometric detection. The water was exposed to ambient surface solar radiation and samples removed at various time intervals [?2 hr before noon, noon, 2 hr after noon?] and direct injection (10-100µl) HPLC analyses conducted. For each component, the fluorescent transformation products were identified along with quantity, and the first-order decomposition rates (sea water, distilled water, distilled water with Cu2+ ion) measured. To examine the ecological significance of the occurrence, influence and fate of pteridines and flavins in coral reef waters. Pteridines: 6-biopterin, 6-hydroxymethylpterin, folic acid, isoxanthopterin, pterin, pterin-6-carboxylic acid, xanthopterin.Flavins: lumichrome, lumiflavin, riboflavin, riboflavin-5-phosphate.