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 of methods of pigment analysis, and shows the use of HPLC technology in their verification. New advances in HPLC methods are discussed, with key developments being the use of polymeric C-18 and monomeric C-8 columns and pyridine as solvent modifier. These have allowed the resolution of divinyl chlorophylls 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 percentage of algal types from field measurements of pigment ratios through the use of computer algorithms are discussed. Finally, prospects for future development are suggested.