The distribution of chlorins and carotenoids in 22 sapropel samples from Ocean Drilling Program Leg 160, Holes 966D and 969C, have been examined by combined liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry under atmospheric pressure ionization conditions. Up to 42 components were detected over the range of samples (including chlorophyllone a, pyrophaeophorbides, pyrophaeophytins, steryl chlorin esters a and b, as well as carotenes). The samples showed two basic types of pigment distribution, with no obvious relationship between these distributions and the sedimentological parameters.