produce fragments that are typical of freshly
cut grass (6 carbons), and earthy fragments
also found in mushrooms (8 carbons). Some
freshwater and migratory species, especially
the smelts, produce fragments characteristic
of melons and cucumbers (9 carbons).
Smell of the Seacoast Ocean fish often have
an additional, characteristic aroma of the
seacoast. This ocean aroma appears to be
provided by compounds called bromophenols,
which are synthesized by algae and some
primitive animals from bromine, an abundant
element in seawater. Bromophenols are
propelled into the seacoast air by wave action,
where we smell them directly. Fish also
accumulate them, either by eating algae or by
eating algae eaters, and the fish can thus
remind us of the sea air. Farmed saltwater fish
lack the oceanic aroma unless their artificial
feed is supplemented with bromophenols.
Muddiness Freshwater fish sometimes carry