New constraints on the provenance of hopanoids in the marine geologic record: Bacteriohopanepolyols in marine suboxic and anoxic environments

► Structural diversity and abundance of bacteriohopanepolyols (BHPs) were examined in marine pelagic environments. ► High BHP abundance and structural diversity was associated with suboxic and anoxic conditions in the water column. ► An isomer of BHT was observed that could be developed as a novel proxy for suboxia/anoxia in the geologic record. ► BHPs produced in the upper water column of the Arabian Sea are exported to underlying sediments. ► BHPs from anoxic/suboxic marine environments may represent an important input to the sedimentary hopanoid inventory.