Applied Organometallic Chemistry · 1988 · 87 citations · 42 references
Natural SciencesBiochemistryMarine BiologyBiogeochemistryMarine BiogeochemistryMetabolismBioinorganic ChemistryMicrobial BiogeochemistrySediment BiogeochemistrySediment ChemistrySediment CompositionXenobiotic MetabolismArsenic BioaccumulationArsenic BiogeochemistryArsenic ChemistryArsenic CyclingArsenic GeochemistryArsenic Redox Chemistry
Abstract Trimethyl(carboxymethyl)arsonium zwitterion (arsenobetaine) is virtually ubiquitous in marine animals consumed by man. Experimental work on the transformation of arsenate to arsenobetaine in the marine environment is reviewed. Current evidence favors the conversion of arsenate to dimethyl(ribosyl)arsine oxides by algae, and the microbially mediated transformation of dimethyl(ribosyl)arsine oxides to arsenobetaine or to its immediate precursors in the sediments. Information about the transfer of arsenobetaine from the sediments to marine animals is lacking.
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