Abstract
Analyzing the δ2H values in individual amino acids of proteins extracted from vertebrates, we unexpectedly found in some samples, notably bone collagen from seals, more than twice as much deuterium in proline and hydroxyproline residues than in seawater. This corresponds to at least 4 times higher δ2H than in any previously reported biogenic sample. We ruled out diet as a plausible mechanism for such anomalous enrichment. This finding puts into question the old adage that “you are what you eat”.
Highlights
Levels of Deuterium and Oxygen-18 Prove Water Drinking by Harp Seals, Which Affects the Use of the Doubly Labelled Water Method
We found δ2H values in seal bone collagen that are several times higher than that, greatly surpassing the upper bound of hydrogen chemical mass recorded to date in any biogenic sample
Isotopic ratio measurements with amino acid resolution in collagen were performed using the recent method of Fourier transform isotopic ratio mass spectrometry (FT IsoR MS) (Figure 2A)
Summary
Levels of Deuterium and Oxygen-18 Prove Water Drinking by Harp Seals, Which Affects the Use of the Doubly Labelled Water Method. We found δ2H values in seal bone collagen that are several times higher than that, greatly surpassing the upper bound of hydrogen chemical mass recorded to date in any biogenic sample.
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