Influence of diet on the distribution of nitrogen isotopes in animals

The influence of diet on the distribution of nitrogen isotopes in animals was investigated by analyzing animals grown in the laboratory on diets of constant nitrogen isotopic composition.The isotopic composition of the nitrogen in an animal reflects the nitrogen isotopic composition of its diet. The δ₁₅N values of the whole bodies of animals are usually more positive than those of their diets. Different individuals of a species raised on the same diet can have significantly different δ¹⁵N values. The variability of the relationship between the δ¹⁵N values of animals and their diets is greater for different species raised on the same diet than for the same species raised on different diets. Different tissues of mice are also enriched in ¹⁵N relative to the diet, with the difference between the δ¹⁵N values of a tissue and the diet depending on both the kind of tissue and the diet involved. The δ¹⁵N values ofcollagen and chitin. biochemical components that are often preserved in fossil animal remains, are also related to the δ¹⁵N value of the diet.The dependence of the δ¹⁵N values of whole animals and their tissues and biochemical components on the δ¹⁵N value of diet indicates that the isotopic composition of animal nitrogen can be used to obtain information about an animal's diet if its potential food sources had different δ¹⁵N values. The nitrogen isotopic method of dietary analysis probably can be used to estimate the relative use of legumes vs non-legumes or of aquatic vs terrestrial organisms as food sources for extant and fossil animals. However, the method probably will not be applicable in those modern ecosystems in which the use of chemical fertilizers has influenced the distribution of nitrogen isotopes in food sources.The isotopic method of dietary analysis was used to reconstruct changes in the diet of the human population that occupied the Tehuacan Valley of Mexico over a 7000 yr span. Variations in the δ¹⁵C and δ¹⁵N values of bone collagen suggest that C₄ and/or CAM plants (presumably mostly corn) and legumes (presumably mostly beans) were introduced into the diet much earlier than suggested by conventional archaeological analysis.     

Stable carbon isotopic evidence for differences in the dietary origin of bone cholesterol, collagen and apatite: implications for their use in palaeodietary reconstruction

Rats were raised on a variety of isotopically controlled diets comprising 20% C₃, C₄ or marine protein and C₃ and/or C₄ non-protein or energy (i.e. sucrose, starch and oil) macronutrients. Compound specific stable carbon isotope (δ¹³C) analysis was performed on the cholesterol isolated from the diet (n=7 ) and bone (n=15 ) of these animals and the values compared with bulk δ¹³C measurements of bone collagen and apatite. The dietary signals reflected by these three bone biochemical components were investigated using linear regression analysis. δ¹³C values of bone cholesterol were shown to reflect whole diet δ¹³C values, collagen to reflect mainly dietary protein values and apatite to reflect whole diet values. Further correlations between dietary protein-to-energy spacings (Δ¹³C_prot-engy = δ¹³C_protein - δ¹³C_energy) and whole diet-to-bone component fractionations (Δ¹³C_bcomp-wdiet = δ¹³C_{bone component} - δ¹³C_{whole diet}) indicates that for hypothetical diets where protein δ¹³C values are equal to energy values, fractionations between whole diet and bone biochemical fractions are -3.3‰ for cholesterol, +5.4‰ for collagen and +9.5‰ for apatite. Moreover, the narrow range of variation observed in apatite-to-cholesterol spacings (Δ¹³C_apat-bchol) suggests that cholesterol δ¹³C values can potentially also be used as an independent test for the isotopic integrity of apatite δ¹³C values. These insights into bone cholesterol, collagen and apatite dietary signals, diet-to-bone fractionations and bone component-to-bone component spacings provide the basis for more accurate interpretations of the dietary behaviour of archaeological populations and food webs when the δ¹³C analysis of bone is employed.     

Further stable isotope investigations of human urinary stones: comparison with other body components

Carbon and sulphur isotope investigations of human urinary stones have been expanded to relate such data to various body components and to diet. Techniques include isotopic determinations for various body components, for example, hair and urine, as well as trace sulphate and sulphide in apatite-struvite stones.Hair from individuals in Calgary was found to be, on average, about 3‰ depleted in¹³C in comparison to samples from Hawaii. Uric acid stones from both locations were found to be 1 to 3‰ enriched in¹³C, compared to hair. Oxalate stones from Calgary had δ¹³C values very close to those of hair. In contrast, oxalate stones from 31 patients from Honolulu fit the regression lineδ¹³C_oxalate= 0.8 δ¹³C_hair− 4.4‰, with a correlation coefficient of 0.77. It remains debatable as to whether the isotopic differences between the stones and hair reflects preferential incorporation of dietary components or kinetic isotope effects during biochemical conversions. There was no evidence in the data from Honolulu that ethnic background significantly influenced the carbon isotope composition of hair or kidney stones. There was a suggestion that recent arrivals had hair and stones slightly depleted in¹³C as compared to longer residents.The δ³⁴S values of cystine stones from Calgary were markedly consistent, near 0‰, and isotopic variations among different body components of individuals were of the order of 1‰.The trace sulphate content of a bladder stone from Papua New Guinea, was 300ppm S, whereas the sulphide content was negligible (determined by in vacuo Kiba extraction). The total S content of three samples from Calgary averaged 250 ppm, whereas 150 ppm was found for two stones each from Quito, Ecuador and Honolulu, Hawaii. For stones other than the speciment from Papua New Guinea, the sulphate-to-sulphide ratio varied from 1 to 4. The source of sulphide is uncertain but degradation of organic S could contribute to this fraction during Kiba extraction. The small range of δ³⁴S values (+3.5 to +7.4‰) for trace total S in the phosphate-containing urinary stones is believed to reflect only a fraction of the global variation of these materials. Trace sulphate was variably enriched in³⁴S (0 to 9‰) as compared to sulphide. Neither these enrichments, nor the sulphate-to-sulphide ratio, could be related to the struvite-to-apatite ratio.There were no significant differences in the carbon and sulphur isotope compositions of hair from patients and non-stone formers. Both the carbon and sulphur isotope variations can be attributed to the isotopic compositions of diets and the superposition of small kinetic isotope effects during biochemical conversions.     

Seasonal variation of the stable isotopic compositions of coastal marine plankton from Woods Hole,Massachusetts and Georges Bank

A study of the isotopic composition of plankton from Woods Hole Harbor was conducted to investigate seasonal variation in carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in a shallow coastal environment. Stable isotopic ratios of carbon and nitrogen both showed temporal variation on the scale of weeks to months, with heaviest (most positive) values in summer to fall for both isotopes. Particulate organic matter (POM) δ¹³C values were highest (?19‰ to ?21‰) in August to November and lower (?21‰ to ?25‰) at other times of the year, while δ¹³N-POM values were highest (9.5‰ to 12‰) in March to September and lower (7.5‰ to 9.5‰) at other times of the year. Stable isotopic values were significantly correlated with temperature, DI¹³C, and C∶N ratios, but not with [DIC], [POC], [PN], [chlorophyll], or the taxonomic composition of the phytoplankton. There was no direct evidence of allochthonous inputs of carbon and nitrogen to the system. Woods Hole δ¹³C values were virtually identical to Georges Bank plankton values; similar POC: Chlorophyll and C∶N ratios in the two systems further suggest that Woods Hole Harbor is principally a marine system. The high δ¹³C values of net plankton (>20 μm) during summer and early fall are consistent with a smaller degree of photosynthetic isotopic fractionation at that time, related to temperature and/or [CO_2(aq)]. This pattern was not seen, however, in total POM. Plankton δ¹³N values were higher in Woods Hole Harbor than on Georges Bank, especially during warmer periods, possibly due to high rates of nitrification and organic matter recycling in Woods Hole waters. Relatively wide ranges of stable isotopic values from both Woods Hole Harbor and Georges Bank suggest that seasonality should be considered when attempting to establish endmember C and N isotopic values for temperate marine plankton. Preliminary results from size-fractionated samples suggest that cyanobacteria may fractionate carbon isotopes to a greater degree than net phytoplankton.     

Carbon isotopic composition of diamonds from the Archangelsk diamond province

The first data are reported on the carbon isotopic composition of diamond crystals from the Grib pipe kimberlite deposit of the Archangelsk diamond province (ADP). The δ¹³C value of the crystals ranges from ?2.79 to ?9.61‰. The isotopic composition of carbon was determined in three zoned crystals (δ¹³C of ?5.8 ?6.96 ‰, ?5.64/ ?5.85 ‰, and ?5.94/ ?5.69 ‰), two “diamond in diamond” samples (diamond inclusion with δ¹³C of ?4.05 and ?6.34 ‰ in host diamond crystals with δ¹³C of ?8.05 and ?7.54 ‰, respectively), and two samples of coated diamonds (cores with δ¹³C of ?6.98 and ?6.78‰ and coats with δ¹³C of ?7.51 and ?8.01 ‰, respectively). δ¹³C values were obtained for individual diamond crystals from bort-type aggregates (δ¹³C of ?4.24/ ?4.05 ‰, ?6.58/ ?7.48 ‰, and ?5.48/ ?6.08 ‰). Correlations were examined between the carbon isotopic composition of diamonds and their crystal morphology; the color; the concentration of nitrogen, hydrogen, and platelet defects; and mineral inclusions content. It was supposed that the observed δ¹³C variations in the crystals are most likely related to the fractionation of carbon isotopes rather than to the heterogeneity of carbon sources involved in diamond formation. The isotopic characteristics of diamonds from the Grib pipe were compared with those of previously investigated diamonds from the Lomonosov deposit. It was found that diamonds from these relatively closely spaced kimberlite fields are different; this also indicates the existence of spatially localized peculiarities of isotope fractionation in processes accompanying diamond formation.     

Isotopic composition (δ<Superscript>13</Superscript>C and δ<Superscript>18</Superscript>O) and genesis of carbonates from the famennian manganiferous formation of Pai-Khoi

The results of isotope-geochemical studies of carbonates of different mineral types from manganese and host rocks of the Famennian manganiferous formation of Pai-Khoi are reported. Kutnahorite ores are characterized by δ¹³C values from–6.6 to 1.3‰ and δ¹⁸O from 20.0 to 27.4‰. Rhodonite–rhodochrosite rocks of the Silovayakha ore occurrence have δ¹³C from–5.2 to–2.9 and δ¹⁸O from 25.4 to 24.3‰. Mineralogically similar rocks of the Nadeiyakha ore occurrence show the lighter carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions: δ¹³C from–16.4 to–13.1 and δ¹⁸O from 24.8 to 22.5‰. Similar isotopic compositions were also obtained for rhodochrosite–kutnahorite rocks of this ore occurrence: δ¹³C from–13.0 to–10.4‰ and δ¹⁸O from 24.6 to 21.7‰. Siderorodochrosite ores differ in the lighter oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions: δ¹⁸O from 18.7 to 17.6‰ and δ¹³C from–10.2 to–9.3‰, respectively. In terms of the carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions, host rocks in general correspond to marine sedimentary carbonates. Geological-mineralogical and isotope data indicate that the formation of the manganese carbonates was related to the hydrothermal ore-bearing fluids with the light isotopic composition of oxygen and carbon dissolved in CO₂. The isotopic features indicate an authigenic formation of manganese carbonates under different isotopegeochemical conditions.     

Early diagenetic siderite as an indicator of depositional environment in the Triassic Rewan Group, southern Bowen Basin, eastern Australia

Early concretionary and non-concretionary siderites are common in subsurface Triassic sandstones and mudrocks of the Rewan Group, southern Bowen Basin. A detailed petrological and stable isotopic study was carried out on these siderites in order to provide information on the depositional environment of the host rocks. The siderites are extremely pure, containing 85–97 mol% FeCO₃, and are commonly enriched in manganese. δ¹³C (PDB) values are highly variable, ranging from - 18·4 to +2·9‰, whereas δ¹⁸O (PDB) values are very consistent, ranging from - 14·0 to - 10·2‰ (mean= - 11·9 ± 1·0‰). The elemental and oxygen isotopic composition of the siderites indicates that only meteoric porewaters were involved in siderite formation, implying that host rocks accumulated in totally non-marine environments. The carbon isotopic composition of the siderites is interpreted to reflect mixing of bicarbonate/carbon dioxide generated by methane oxidation and methanogenesis. Very low δ¹³C values demonstrate that, contrary to current views, highly ¹³C-depleted siderite can be produced at shallow burial depths in anoxic non-marine sediments.     

Stable carbon isotopic evidence for sources of particulate organic carbon found in sea foam

Particulate organic carbon found in sea foam and water samples from North Inlet, South Carolina, were examined for their δ¹³C isotopic composition. Sea foam particulate organic carbon (POC) δ¹³C values ranged from ?20.4 to ?24.6‰ (mean=?22.3‰) and water POC δ¹³C values ranged from ?21.0 to ?28.5‰ (mean= ?24.4‰). Temporal trends in sea foam and water POC indicate that δ¹³C values for both POC components are depleted in the colder months and enriched in the warmer months. Measurement of δ¹³C from potential sources for organic matter found in sea foam, combined with data on macroalgae productivity and phytoplankton biomass, indicates that macroalgae are the principal source of POC for sea foam in the colder months. In the warmer months, phytoplankton appear to be more important contributors. The observed water POC δ¹³C values were always depleted relative to foam POC δ¹³C values. This isotopic difference may result from chemical segregation during sea foam formation or may reflect DOC δ¹³C values from terrestrial origins.     

Origin and Accumulation of Natural Gases in the Upper Paleozoic Strata of the Ordos Basin in Central China

The natural gases in the Upper Paleozoic strata of the Ordos basin are characterized by relatively heavy C isotope of gaseous alkanes with δ 13C1 and δ13C2 values ranging mainly from ?35‰ to ?30‰ and ?27‰ to ?22‰, respectively, high δ13C excursions (round 10) between ethane and methane and predominant methane in hydrocarbon gases with most C1/(C1-C5) ratios in excess of 0.95, suggesting an origin of coal-derived gas. The gases exhibit different carbon isotopic profiles for C1-C4 alkanes with those of the natural gases found in the Lower Paleozoic of this basin, and believed to be originated from Carboniferous-Permian coal measures. The occurrence of regionally pervasive gas accumulation is distinct in the gently southward-dipping Shanbei slope of the central basin. It is noted that molecular and isotopic composition changes of the gases in various gas reservoirs are associated with the thermal maturities of gas source rocks. The abundances and δ13C values of methane generally decline northwards and from the basin center to its margins, and the effects of hydrocarbon migration on compositional modification seem insignificant. However, C isotopes of autogenetic calcites in the vertical and lateral section of reservoirs show a regular variation, and are as a whole depleted upwards and towards basin margins. Combination with gas maturity gradient, the analysis could be considered to be a useful tool for gas migration.     

Stable isotopic compositions of Recent freshwater cyanobacterial carbonates from the British Isles: local and regional environmental controls

Recent (<50 years old) freshwater cyanobacterial carbonates from diverse environments (streams, lakes, waterfalls) throughout Britain and Ireland were analysed for their stable carbon and oxygen isotope compositions. The mean δ¹⁸O value of ?5–9‰ PDB for river and stream data represents calcite precipitation in equilibrium with the mean oxygen isotopic composition of precipitation in central Britain (?7–5‰SMOW) assuming a mean water temperature of 9°C. The mean δ¹⁸O of lake data, ?4–5‰ PDB, is statistically different, reflecting the effects of residence time and/or variations in the oxygen isotopic composition of rainfall. Carbon isotopes have wide variations in both fluviatile and lake data sets (+ 3 to ?12‰ PDB). These variations are principally controlled in the fluviatile samples by contribution of isotopically light ‘soil zone’ carbon relative to isotopically heavier carbon from limestone aquifer rock dissolution. Lake samples have the heaviest carbon isotope values, reflecting a trend toward isotopic equilibrium between atmospheric CO₂ and aqueous HCO^?₃. We infer that isotopic compositions of ancient cyanobacterial carbonates should also record environmental information, although the effects of stabilization and diagenesis on primary δ¹⁸O values will need careful consideration. Primary carbon isotope compositions should be well preserved, although in marine samples values will be buffered by the isotopic composition of aqueous marine bicarbonate.     

High-precision analysis of carbon isotopic composition for individual CO2 inclusions via Raman spectroscopy to reveal the multiple-stages evolution of CO2- bearing fluids and melts

The carbon isotopic composition of CO₂ inclusions trapped in minerals reflects the origin and evolution of CO₂-bearing fluids and melts, and records the multiple-stages carbon geodynamic cycle, as CO₂ took part in various geological processes widely. However, the practical method for determination isotope composition of individual CO₂ inclusion is still lacking. Developing a microanalytical technique with spatial resolution in micrometers to precisely determinate the δ¹³C value of individual CO₂ inclusion, will make it possible to analyze a tiny portion of a zoning mineral crystal, distinguish the differences in micro-scale, and possible to find many useful information that could not be obtained with the bulk extraction and analysis techniques. In this study, we systematically collected Raman spectra of CO₂ standards with different δ¹³C values (?34.9 ‰ to 3.58 ‰) at 32.0 °C and from ～7.0 MPa to 120.0 MPa, and developed a new procedure to precisely determinate the δ¹³C value of individual CO₂ inclusion. We investigated the relationship among the Raman peak intensity ratio, δ¹³C value, and CO₂ density, and established a calibration model with high accuracy (0.5 ‰?1.5 ‰), sufficient for geological application to distinguish different source of CO₂ with varying δ¹³CO₂. As a demonstration, we measured the δ¹³C values and the density of CO₂ inclusions in the growth zones of alkali basalt-hosted corundum megacrysts from Changle, Shandong Province. We found the significant differences of density and δ¹³C between the CO₂ inclusions in the core of corundum and those inclusions in the outer growth zones, the δ¹³C value decreases from core to rim with decreasing density: δ¹³C values are from ?7.5 ‰ to ?9.2 ‰ for the inclusions in the core, indicating the corundum core was crystallized from mantle-derived magmas; from ?13.5 ‰ to ?18.5 ‰ for CO₂ inclusions in zone 1 and from ?16.5 ‰ to –22.0 ‰ for inclusions in zone 2, indicating the outer zones of corundum grew in a low δ¹³C value environment, resulted from an infilling of low δ¹³C value fluid and/or degassing of the ascending basaltic magma.     

Stable isotopic signatures of the modern land snail Eremina desertorum from a low-latitude (hot) dry desert—A study from the Petrified Forest,New Cairo,Egypt

This study was conducted on recent desert samples—including (1) soils, (2) plants, (3) the shell, and (4) organic matter from modern specimens of the land snail Eremina desertorum—which were collected at several altitudes (316–360 m above sea level) from a site in the New Cairo Petrified Forest. The soils and shell_{E. desertorum} were analyzed for carbonate composition and isotopic composition (δ¹⁸O, δ¹³C). The plants and organic matter_{E. desertorum} were analyzed for organic carbon content and δ¹³C. The soil carbonate, consisting of calcite plus minor dolomite, has δ¹⁸O values from −3.19 to −1.78‰ and δ¹³C values −1.79 to −0.27‰; covariance between the two values accords with arid climatic conditions. The local plants include C3 and C4 types, with the latter being dominant. Each type has distinctive bulk organic carbon δ¹³C values: −26.51 to −25.36‰ for C3-type, and −13.74 to −12.43‰ for C4-type plants.The carbonate of the shell_{E. desertorum} is composed of aragonite plus minor calcite, with relatively homogenous isotopic compositions (δ¹⁸O_mean = −0.28 ± 0.22‰; δ¹³C_mean = −4.46 ± 0.58‰). Most of the δ¹⁸O values (based on a model for oxygen isotope fractionation in an aragonite-water system) are consistent with evaporated water signatures. The organic matter_{E. desertorum} varies only slightly in bulk organic carbon δ¹³C values (−21.78 ± 1.20‰) and these values suggest that the snail consumed more of C3-type than C4-type plants. The overall offset in δ¹³C values (−17.32‰) observed between shell_{E. desertorum} carbonate and organic matter_{E. desertorum} exceeds the value expected for vegetation input, and implies that 30% of carbon in the shell_{E. desertorum} carbonate comes from the consumption of limestone material.     

Physicochemical model for the generation of the isotopic composition of the carbonate travertine produced by the Tokhana spring,mount Elbrus area,northern Caucasus

The isotopic composition of calcite from travertine deposits of the Tokhana-Verkhnii hot spring in the Elbrus area shows broad variations in δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O (from +3.8 to +16.3‰ and from +24.6 to +28.1‰, respectively). The δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values increase toward the sole of the travertine dome. The isotopically heaviest carbonates (δ¹³C of up to +16.3‰) were found near the bottom of the dome and composed ancient travertine, which are now not washed by mineral water. The scatter of the δ¹³C values of the fresh sample is slightly narrower: from +3.8 to +10‰. Calculations indicate that all carbonates of the Tokhana dome were not in equilibrium with spontaneous carbon dioxide released by the spring (\(\delta ^{13} C_{CO_2 } \) = ?8‰). To explain the generation of isotopically heavy travertine, a physicochemical model was developed for precipitation of Ca carbonates during the gradual degassing of the mineral water. The character of variations in the calculated δ¹³C values (from +5.5 to +13‰) is in good agreement with the tendency in the variations of the δ¹³C in the carbonate samples. The calculated and measured pH values are also consistent. Our results demonstrate that the isotopic composition of large travertine masses can be heterogeneous, and this should be taken into account during paleoclimatic and paleohydrogeological reconstruction.     

Subaerial exposure and deposition of shallowing upward sequences: evidence from stable isotopes of Purbeckian peritidal carbonates (basal Cretaceous), Swiss and French Jura Mountains

Purbeckian (lowermost Cretaceous) peritidal carbonates are characterized by open marine, lagoonal, intertidal and lacustrine facies arranged in Milankovitch-type shallowing upward sequences. Shallowing upward sequences typically consist of 2–6 individual beds. The sequences may be (i) complete, (ii) incomplete or (ii) pedogenetically overprinted, reflecting the duration of subaerial exposure and/or the extent of erosion and pedogenetic modification at the cycle tops. The stable isotopic composition of the peritidal micrites reveals homogenous δ¹⁸O values attributed to diagenetic stabilization in a meteoric, water-buffered system. Carbon isotopes show three distinctly different carbon isotope patterns dependent on the completeness of the shallowing upward sequences. Complete shallowing upward sequences consist of 4–6 individual carbonate beds. The carbon isotope values show a facies-dependent pattern: open marine carbonate muds record enriched δ¹³C values of +0·28‰ while lagoonal (−0·82‰), intertidal (−2·46‰) and lacustrine micrites (−2·96‰) are increasingly depleted. This distinct pattern is explained by carbonate mud deposition in environments of differing salinity and marine influence. Incomplete sequences (2–5 carbonate beds) are characterized by depleted δ¹³C values below subaerial exposure surfaces that become progressively enriched in ¹³C with increasing depth. Pedogenetically overprinted sequences (1–3 carbonate beds) show strong ¹³C depletion throughout the sequence with little variation in the carbon isotopic composition. The depleted values (−4·5‰) of the pedogenetically altered micrites suggest that modification during subaerial exposure was associated with equilibration with meteoric solutions enriched in isotopically light soil gas CO₂. The duration of subaerial exposure is the most crucial factor determining the extent of pedogenetic alterations, the completeness of the shallowing upward sequences and the carbon isotope pattern. The recorded patterns clearly illustrate that micrites have a good potential for the preservation of their primary carbon isotopic composition if the duration of subaerial exposure is rather brief. Otherwise, the recorded carbon isotope patterns may support sequence stratigraphic analysis by providing a refinement of the time-stratigraphic interpretation.     

岩浆去气作用碳硫同位素效应

 根据开放体系条件下的瑞利分馏原理,并考虑岩浆中可能溶解的合碳和含硫组分,从理论上定量模式了岩浆去气作用对火成岩碳、硫同位素组成的影响。结果表明,岩浆CO₂去气作用能够导致岩石中碳酸盐显着亏损¹³C,其δ¹³C值能够从原始-5‰变化到-20‰(PDB);岩浆CH₄去气作用则导致岩石中碳酸盐相对富集¹³C,其δ¹³C值能够从原始-5‰变化到+4‰。岩浆SO₂去气作用可以导致岩石中硫化物显着亏损³⁴S,其δ³⁴S值能够从0‰变化到-8‰(CDT);岩浆H₂S去气作用则导致岩石中的硫化物相对富集4S,其δ³⁴S值能够从0‰变化到+6‰。因此,除源岩原始同位素不均一性和地壳物质混染能引起火成岩的碳、硫同位素组成发生较大变化外,岩浆去气作用也是重要原因之一。     

浙江长兴二叠系和三叠系界限地层的碳同位素

研究海相碳酸盐岩的碳和氧同位素已有三十多年,积累了数千个数据,其目的在于研究古海洋碳和氧同位素的演变。在此期间,一部分研究者认为,海相碳酸盐岩的δ¹³C值在0±2范围内变化,未表现出与地质时代相关的变化趋势(Clayton和Degens,1959;Degens和Epstein,1962;Keith和Weber,1964;Galimov,1965;Becker和Clayton,1972;Schidlowski等,1975)。但是,另一些学者,如Jeffery等(1955),Baertschi(1975),Compston(1960),Weber(1967),Garrels和Parry(1974)却认为,海相碳酸盐岩的δ¹³C值随地质时代而有规律地变化。     

Isotopic compositions of C,O, Sr,and S and problem of ages of the Katera and Uakit Groups,western Transbaikal region

The age of the Katera Group, which occupies a large area in the western North Muya Range and occurs 100–150 km east of the Uakit Group, is a debatable issue. Based on geological correlations with reference sections of the Baikal Group and Patom Complex, the Katera and Uakit groups were previously considered nearly coeval units and assigned to Late Precambrian (Khomentovskii and Postnikov, 2002; Salop, 1964). This was supported partly by the Sm–Nd model datings (Rytsk et al., 2007, 2009, 2011). Finds of the Paleozoic flora substantiated the revision of age of the Uakit Group and its assignment to the Late Devonian–Early Carboniferous (Gordienko et al., 2010; Minina, 2003, 2012, 2014). We have established that Sr and C isotopic compositions in carbonates of these groups differ drastically, as suggested by their different ages. Sediments of the Nyandoni Formation (Katera Group), which contains carbonates characterized by minimum values of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7056 and maximum values of δ¹³C = 4.9‰, were accumulated in the first half of Late Riphean (800–850 Ma ago), whereas the overlying Barguzin Formation (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_min = 0.70715, δ¹³C_max= 10.5‰) was deposited at the end of Late Riphean (700–750 Ma). Judging from the isotope data, the Nerunda Formation (Uakit Group), which contains carbonates with characteristics matching the most rigorous criteria of fitness for the chemostratigraphic correlation (Sr content up to 4390 μg/g, Mn/Sr < 0.1, δ¹⁸O = 23.0 ± 1.8‰), was deposited at the end of Vendian ~550–540 Ma ago). The sequence includes thick typical carbonate horizons with very contrast carbon isotopic compositions: the lower unit has anomalous high δ¹³C values (5.8 ± 1.0‰); the upper unit, by anomalous low δ¹³C values (–5.2 ± 0.5‰]). Their Sr isotopic composition is relatively homogeneous (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7084 ± 0.0001) that is typical of the Late Vendian ocean. The S isotopic composition of pyrites from the Nyandoni Formation (Katera Group) (δ³⁴S = 14.1 ± 6.8‰) and pyrites from the Mukhtunny Formation (Uakit Group) (δ³⁴S = 0.7 ± 1.4‰) does not contradict the C and Sr isotopic stratigraphic data.     

Origin and depositional environments of source rocks and crude oils from Niger Delta Basin: Carbon isotopic evidence

Thirty-nine crude oils and twenty-one rock samples from Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria have been characterized based on their isotope compositions by elemental analysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The bulk carbon isotopic values of the whole rock extracts, saturate and aromatic fractions range from –28.7‰ to –26.8‰, –29.2‰ to –27.2 ‰ and –28.5 ‰ to –26.7 ‰, respectively while the bulk carbon isotopic values of the whole oils, saturate and aromatic fractions range from –25.4 ‰ to –27.8 ‰, –25.9 ‰ to –28.4 ‰ and –23.5 ‰ to –26.9 ‰, respectively. The average carbon isotopic compositions of individual alkanes (nC₁₂-nC₃₃) in the rock samples range from –34.9‰ to –28.2‰ whereas the average isotopic values of individual n-alkanes in the oils range from –31.1‰ to –23.8‰. The δ¹³C isotope ratios of pristane and phytane in the rock samples range from –29.2 ‰ to –28.2 ‰ and –30.2 ‰ to –27.4 ‰ respectively while the pristane and phytane isotopic values range from –32.1‰ to –21.9‰ and –30.5‰ to –26.9‰, respectively. The isotopic values recorded for the samples indicated that the crude oils were formed from the mixed input of terrigenous and marine organic matter and deposited under oxic to sub-oxic condition in lacustrine-fluvial/deltaic environments. The stable carbon isotopic compositions were found to be effective in assessing the origin and depositional environments of crude oils in the Niger Delta Basin.     

A 16-Ma record of paleodiet using carbon and oxygen isotopes in fossil teeth from Pakistan

The Siwalik Sequence of northern Pakistan contains a 16-Ma record of paleosol carbonate and fossil teeth from which a record of paleovegetation can potentially be reconstructed and compared. The carbon isotopic composition of paleosol carbonate and organic matter from Siwalik strata reflects a major paleoecological change on the floodplains of major rivers beginning7.3 Ma ago. By 6 Ma C₃-dominated plant communities, probably composed of mostly trees and shrubs, were displaced by nearly continuous C₄ grassland. We find that the carbon isotopic ratios in herbivore tooth enamel reflect this dramatic ecologic shift. Carbonate in enamel older than 7 Ma averages −11‰ in δ¹³C_PDB, consistent with a largely C₃ diet. Enamel from the Plio-PIeistocene averages +1.9‰ in δ¹³C, similar to the value displayed by modern C₄ grazers. Analysis of post-burial carbonate cements, and the concordance with isotopic evidence from paleosols argues strongly against major isotopic alteration of the enamel, while coexisting bone may have been altered early in burial. This study confirms that enamel apatite is useful for paleodietary reconstruction much further back in the geologic record than was previously thought.     

The oxygen and carbon isotope composition of Carboniferous fossil components: sea-water effects

The aragonitic molluscs and lime-mud of the Pennsylvanian Buckhorn asphalt (Deese Group) of southern Oklahoma precipitated calcium carbonate in oxygen and carbon isotopic equilibrium with ambient sea-water. In addition, δ¹⁸O values indicate that the pelecypods precipitated their shells during the warmer months of the year. The coiled nautiloids probably precipitated their shells in the warm surface water and throughout the year. For the orthocone nautiloids, the δ¹⁸O values suggest that they precipitated their shells in deeper/cooler water. The low-Mg calcite brachiopods of the Mississippian Lake Valley Formation of New Mexico precipitated shells in oxygen and carbon isotopic equilibrium with ambient sea-water. The δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values of the Buckhorn and Lake Valley faunas, in conjunction with other published results, suggest that Carboniferous sea-water was, on a average, depleted in δ¹⁸O by 1·5 ± 2‰, PDB, relative to Recent sea-water. However, the δ¹³C value of +2.6 ± 2‰, PDB, for average Carboniferous sea-water is similar to that of Recent ocean water. Early diagenetic alteration of metastable carbonates probably occurs in a meteoric-sea-water mixing zone. In this zone the oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions of these components are increased by about 2-4‰, PDB over their marine composition.