Abundance and structural diversity of bacteriohopanepolyols in suspended particulate matter along a river to ocean transect

► Bacteriohopanepolyol (BHP) content of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in a river to ocean transect was examined. ► The results reveal a sharp contrast in the structural diversity and abundance of BHPs in riverine and open ocean pelagic environments. ► The molecular fingerprint of BHPs indicates that hopanoids in riverine SPM are predominately derived from soil inputs. ► 2-Methylhopanoids, putative markers for cyanobacteria, were detected in all samples except for the blue water marine stations. ► Terrigenous SPM had greater BHP concentration and structural diversity than marine SPM, indicating the potential importance of terrigenous BHPs to the marine sedimentary record.