The hidden hand of molecular chirality in marine biogeochemistry

Marine organic matter cycling, driven by microbial activities, involves largely unexplored chiral compounds. Despite their prevalence, the role of these compounds in marine processes remains understudied. This review dives into the intriguing world of marine enantiomers, mirror-imaged compounds with identical physical properties but often distinct biological fates. The review explores the diversity, biological functions, microbial transformation, and enzymatic enantioselectivity of these enantiomers, with a particular focus on amino acids and sulfonates, highlighting their significance in marine biogeochemistry. Additionally, the review discusses recent advances in chemical and biological analytical methods, addressing the challenges and strategies for chiral analysis of marine dissolved organic matter (DOM). Future research directions to bridge the gap between chemistry and ocean science are also proposed.