Biogeochemical implications of the isotopic equilibrium fractionation factor between the oxygen atoms of acetone and water

Carbonyl oxygens of organic molecules undergo isotopic exchange with water during reversible hydration reactions. The equilibrium isotopic fractionation factors between the carbonyl oxygen of acetone and water at 15°, 25°, and 35°C are 1.028, 1.028, and 1.026 respectively. The differences between the δ¹⁸O values of the carbonyl oxygen of acetone and of the water with which it is in equilibrium are similar to the differences that have been observed between the δ¹⁸O values of cellulose and the water used in its synthesis by a variety of aquatic plants and animals. Additionally, the identity of the acetone-water fractionation factors at 15° and 25°C parallels the observation that the difference between the δ¹⁸O values of cellulose and water shows no temperature dependence for individual species of plants grown over the same temperature range. These results are discussed in relation to the proposal that the oxygen isotopic relationship between cellulose and water is established by isotopic exchange occurring during the hydration of carbonyl groups of the intermediates of cellulose synthesis.