中文摘要：

海洋沉积物中的木质素是陆源有机碳输入的良好标志物，但在迁移埋藏的过程中会发生生物降解，对其指示作用产生影响。本文简要介绍了木质素的结构、指示参数、降解木质素的微生物和降解机理，重点介绍了生物降解过程中木质素参数的变化及对其指示作用的影响，并总结了解决这一问题的方法，指出必须采用多种方法的结合，获取更多的信息才能保证结果的正确性。

英文摘要：

Lignin in marine sediment is a good biomarker of terrestrial organic carbon （TOC） input, while the biodegradation during the transportation and burial into sediment will affect its indicative use. In this review, first, the structure, the degradation microorganism and mechanism of lignin were briefly introduced, then the change of lignin indicative parameters during the biodegradation which affect the use of it as a biomarker were focus on. Finally, the solution to the problem was summarized and that in order to get an unequivocal sound conclusion was suggested, multiple approaches should be combined to obtain more informa- tion.