Recent advances in HPLC pigment analysis of phytoplankton

Analysis of phytoplankton pigments is central to studies of marine ecology and climate research. This paper summarizes milestones in the development o f methods of pigment analysis, and shows the use of HPLC technology in thei r verification. New advances in HPLC methods are discussed, with key develo pments being the use of polymeric C-18 and monomeric C-8 columns and pyridi ne as solvent modifier. These have allowed the resolution of divinyl chloro phylls a and b, and the discovery of new chlorophyll c pigments (both polar and non-polar) and new 4-keto fucoxanthin derivatives. The taxonomic value of pigments and pigment suites is examined. Methods of interpreting the pe rcentage of algal types from field measurements of pigment ratios through t he use of computer algorithms are discussed. Finally, prospects for future development are suggested.