Delta 13C and delat 8D compositions of n-alkanes from modern angiosperms and conifers: An experimental set up in central Washington State, USA

Pedentchouk, Nikolai ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2923-966X, Sumner, William, Tipple, Brett and Pagani, Mark (2008) Delta 13C and delat 8D compositions of n-alkanes from modern angiosperms and conifers: An experimental set up in central Washington State, USA. Organic Geochemistry, 39 (8). pp. 1066-1071.

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Abstract

This study investigates stable carbon and hydrogen isotope compositions of leaf wax n-alkanes from 3 angiosperm and 2 conifer species from a semi-desert natural environment. The d13C and dD n-C27 alkane data show a clear distinction between Populus tremuloides/Syringa vulgaris (-31.9 to -32.7‰ and -168 to -186‰, respectively) and Pinus sylvestris/Picea pungens (-28.8 to -30.6‰ and -190 to -212‰) throughout the 2005 growing season. Like the other angiosperm species, Betula pendula was D-enriched (-162 to -178‰) relative to the conifer species. However, its d13C values were more similar to those of Pinus sylvestris and Picea pungens in May, but had a 4‰ positive shift later in the season. We suggest that the observed isotopic variations derive mainly from lower stomatal conductance for CO2 and H2O vapor in conifers relative to angiosperms. Betula pendula experienced severe environmental stress that affected its carbon metabolism for most of the season. Our results suggest that shifts in dD and d13C values of sedimentary leaf waxes may result not only from shifts in the paleoclimatic variables but also from temporal shifts in the distribution of angiosperms and conifers as well as from changes in the isotopic signatures of higher plants undergoing metabolic changes.

Item Type: Article
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Geosciences
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Environmental Biology
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Resources, Sustainability and Governance (former - to 2018)
Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Geosciences and Natural Hazards (former - to 2017)
Depositing User: Rosie Cullington
Date Deposited: 02 Mar 2011 08:03
Last Modified: 23 Oct 2022 06:31
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/25473
DOI: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2008.02.005

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