A highly branched isoprenoid (HBI) diene found in Antarctic sea-ice diatoms and surface layer (0-2 cm) sediments from Antarctica is identified as 2,10,14-trimethyl-6-methylene-7-(3'-methylpent-1-enyl)pentadecane. The identification was made by comparison of GC-MS mass spectra and retention indices on both polar and apolar GC stationary phases with those of the diene authenticated by NMR after isolation from a laboratory culture of the diatom, Haslea ostrearia. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.