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    Biogeochemical applications of compound-specific radiocarbon analysis

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    Pearson_thesis.pdf (8.106Mb)
    Date
    1999-10
    Author
    Pearson, Ann  Concept link
    Metadata
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    Citable URI
    https://hdl.handle.net/1912/4083
    Location
    Santa Monica Basin
    Santa Barbara Basin
    DOI
    10.1575/1912/4083
    Keyword
     Carbon; Isotopes; Biochemical markers; Biogeochemistry; Roger Revelle (Ship) Cruise Pulse-32 
    Abstract
    Compound-specific carbon isotopic (δ13C and Δ14C) data are reported for lipid biomarkers isolated from Santa Monica Basin (SMB) and Santa Barbara Basin (SBB) surface sediments. These organic compounds represent phytoplanktonic, zooplanktonic, bacterial, archaeal, terrestrial, and fossil carbon sources. The lipids include long-chain n-alkanes, fatty acids (as FAMEs), n-alcohols, C30 mid-chain ketols and diols, sterols, hopanols, and ether-linked C4o-biphytanes of Archaea. The data show that the carbon source for most of the biomarkers is marine euphotic zone primary production or subsequent heterotrophic consumption of this biomass. Two lipid classes represent exceptions to this finding. Δ14C values for the n-alkanes are consistent with mixed fossil and contemporary terrestrial plant sources. The archaeal isoprenoid data reflect chemoautotrophic growth below the euphotic zone. The biomarker class most clearly representing marine phytoplanktonic production is the sterols. It is suggested, therefore, that the sterols could serve as paleoceanographic tracers for surface-water DIC. The isotopic data are used to construct two algebraic models. The first calculates the contributions of fossil and modem vascular plant carbon to 5MB n-alkanes. This model indicates that the Δ14C of the modern component is +235% (post-bomb) or 0% (pre-bomb). The second model uses these values to determine the origin of sedimentary TOC. The results are comparable to estimates based on other approaches and suggest that ~60% of SMB TOC is of marine origin, modern terrestrial and fossil sources contribute ~10% each, and the remaining ~20% is of unknown origin.
    Description
    Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution October 1999
    Collections
    • WHOI Theses
    • Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry (MC&G)
    Suggested Citation
    Thesis: Pearson, Ann, "Biogeochemical applications of compound-specific radiocarbon analysis", 1999-10, DOI:10.1575/1912/4083, https://hdl.handle.net/1912/4083
     

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