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Evidence from carbon isotope measurements for diverse origins of sedimentary hydrocarbonsThe organic matter found in sedimentary rocks must derive from many sources; not only from ancient primary producers but also from consumers and secondary producers. In all of these organisms, isotope effects can affect the abundance and distribution of 13C in metabolites. Here, by using an improved form of a previously described technique in which the effluent of a gas chromatograph is continuously analysed isotopically, we report evidence of the diverse origins of sedimentary organic matter. The record of 13C abundances in sedimentary carbonate and total organic carbon can be interpreted in terms of variations in the global carbon cycle. Our results demonstrate, however, that isotope variations within sedimentary organic mixtures substantially exceed those observed between samples of total organic carbon. Resolution of isotope variations at the molecular level offers a new and convenient means of refining views both of localized palaeoenvironments and of control mechanisms within the global carbon cycle.
Document ID
20040112300
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Freeman, K. H.
(Indiana University Bloomington 47405-5101, United States)
Hayes, J. M.
Trendel, J. M.
Albrecht, P.
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 18, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Nature
Volume: 343
Issue: 6255
ISSN: 0028-0836
Subject Category
Exobiology
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Exobiology
NASA Program Exobiology
NASA Discipline Number 52-30

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