HPLC determination of glycolic acid in seawater. An estimation of phytoplankton photorespiration in the Gulf of Lions, western Mediterranean Sea

Abstract

A method is described that allows improved quantification of glycolic acid dissolved in seawater. The extraction of glycolic acid was performed by an organic solvent and its quantification by HPLC. With this method, the glycolic acid dissolved in seawater is extracted in a reproducible manner with a constant yield, and dosed with a precision >±7.5%. Values ranging from 24 to 89 μg l⁻¹ were measured in the open sea off Banyuls-sur-mer in spring 1992, when a series of samples were taken around solar midday on board RS ‘Néréis’ during a phytoplanktonic bloom.