Mean Δ13 Research Articles

Mapping carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition of fingernails to demonstrate a rural-urban nutrition transition in the Center-West, Northeast, and Amazon regions of Brazil.

The main objective of this study is to investigate diet patterns among rural and urban populations of the Center-West, Northeast, and Amazon regions of Brazil through the carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition of fingernails, recognizing that the extent of market integration is a key driver of food consumption. In the Center-West, Northeast, and Amazon regions of Brazil, fingernails were sampled in clusters encompassing a major city, town, and rural village. A total of 2,133 fingernails were analyzed. Fingernails were clipped by donors using fingernail clippers. In the laboratory, samples were cleaned then weighed in small tin capsules before being isotopically analyzed for carbon and nitrogen. The overall mean δ13 C and δ15 N were -19.7 ± 2.8‰ and 10.6 ± 1.1‰, respectively. In the more remote villages, where access to food markets is more challenging, lower δ13 C prevails, suggesting that Brazilian staple foods (rice, beans, and farinha) still dominate. In areas with easier access to food markets, δ13 C values were higher, suggesting a change to a diet based on C4 plants, typical of a Brazilian supermarket diet. The variability among inhabitants in the same location expressed by a significant inverse correlation between δ13 C and δ15 N fingernail values suggested that "market integration" does not affect everyone equally in each community. The nutrition transition has not yet reached some remote villages in these regions of Brazil or that the nutrition transition has not yet reached all residents of these remote villages. On the other hand, in several villages there is a considerable adherence to the supermarket diet or that some residents of these villages are already favoring processed food.

Carbon isotopic heterogeneity of coenzyme F430 and membrane lipids in methane‐oxidizing archaea

Archaeal ANaerobic MEthanotrophs (ANME) facilitate the anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM), a process that is believed to proceed via the reversal of the methanogenesis pathway. Carbon isotopic composition studies indicate that ANME are metabolically diverse and able to assimilate metabolites including methane, methanol, acetate, and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). Our data support the interpretation that ANME in marine sediments at methane seeps assimilate both methane and DIC, and the carbon isotopic compositions of the tetrapyrrole coenzyme F430 and the membrane lipids archaeol and hydroxy-archaeol reflect their relative proportions of carbon from these substrates. Methane is assimilated via the methyl group of CH3 -tetrahydromethanopterin (H4 MPT) and DIC from carboxylation reactions that incorporate free intracellular DIC. F430 was enriched in 13 C (mean δ13 C=-27‰ for Hydrate Ridge and -80‰ for the Santa Monica Basin) compared to the archaeal lipids (mean δ13 C=-97‰ for Hydrate Ridge and -122‰ for the Santa Monica Basin). We propose that depending on the side of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle used to synthesize F430, its carbon was derived from 76% DIC and 24% methane via the reductive side or 57% DIC and 43% methane via the oxidative side. ANME lipids are predicted to contain 42% DIC and 58% methane, reflecting the amount of each assimilated into acetyl-CoA. With isotope models that include variable fractionation during biosynthesis for different carbon substrates, we show the estimated amounts of DIC and methane can result in carbon isotopic compositions of-73‰ to-77‰ for F430 and-105‰ for archaeal lipids, values close to those for Santa Monica Basin. The F430 δ13 C value for Hydrate Ridge was 13 C-enriched compared with the modeled value, suggesting there is divergence from the predicted two carbon source models.

Multi-tissue stable carbon and nitrogen isotope models for dietary reconstruction: Evaluation using a southern African farming population.

Multi-tissue stable isotope models to reconstruct past diets (Froehle, Kellner, & Schoeninger, 2012; Kellner & Schoeninger, 2007) have lacked data from a heavily C4 -dependent population. Using new data from southern African agriculturalists, published models are evaluated for accuracy in dietary reconstruction and applicability to isotopically diverse diets. Additionally, isotopic variation between tooth enamel and bone apatite, which are often treated as isotopically equivalent, is investigated. δ13 Cbone apatite , δ13 Ctooth enamel , δ13 Ccollagen , and δ15 Ncollagen values for 51 adult southern African agriculturalists are presented. Bivariate (linear) and multivariate (cluster analysis, discriminant function analysis) models are recreated including these data, and the resulting dietary reconstructions evaluated against what we know of archaeological diets. Δ13 Ccollagen-enamel (5.67 ± 1.66‰) is significantly larger than Δ13 Ccollagen-bone apatite (4.77 ± 1.42‰) and are significantly different from each other (Mann Whitney U-Test, p = 0.0). δ13 Cbone apatite and δ13 Ctooth enamel were uncorrelated (R2 = 0.24). The agriculturalists consumed highly variable and heterogeneous diets, (mean δ13 Cbone apatite = -6.25 ± 2.49‰, δ13 Ctooth enamel = -2.88 ± 2.48‰, δ13 Ccollagen = -8.65 ± 2.16‰, δ15 Ncollagen = 10.05 ± 1.9‰). Multi- and bi-variate models under-estimate the probable contribution of C3 energy sources, and recreation of cluster analysis results in a significant reduction in the parsimony of the dietary clusters derived in Froehle et al., 2012. Bone apatite and tooth enamel are distinct biominerals, and their δ13 C values should not be treated as equivalent. Multiple tissue isotopes provide valuable insight into diet that cannot be achieved with single tissues, but current models are limited by the lack of isotopic diversity in the data on which they are based.

δ13 C values in archaeological 14 C-AMS dated charcoals: assessing mid-Holocene climate fluctuations and human response from a high-resolution isotope record (Arslantepe, Turkey).

Past climate has always influenced human adaptation to the environment. In order to reconstruct palaeoclimate fluctuations and their role in the evolution of Near Eastern societies during the mid-Holocene, high-resolution Δ13 C records from fossil wood remains at the archaeological site of Arslantepe (eastern Turkey) have been developed. After chemical treatment, δ13 C values were measured by sample combustion flow using a FLASH EA-CHNS instrument interfaced with a Delta V isotope ratio mass spectrometer via a CONFLO III. Two replicates per sample were analysed. The measurement precision was evaluated by propagating variations of the δ13 C values of samples and V-PDB standards, whereas the accuracy was checked by a quality control sample. To account for changes in atmospheric CO2 , Δ13 C values were calculated. In addition, 14 C/12 C ratios were measured by means of ann AMS system (3 MV tandem accelerator). Mean Δ13 C curves of deciduous Quercus and Juniperus from archaeological levels between 4700 and 2000 BC (Arslantepe periods VIII-VI D) were produced, where the isotope values were ordered by the available RC ages. Interspecific variations of evergreen vs deciduous plants were postulated for the juniper Δ13 C values being higher than 3‰. The seasonal rainfall amount was recorded by the juniper remains, while the water table levels were obtained from the oak samples. The local climate experienced times of enhanced/reduced precipitation in concert with regional trends. Anomalies in the air mass circulation from the Mediterranean basin also produced oscillations of rainfall amount. In such a frame the Rapid Climate Change dry events had a consistent signature in the Arslantepe Δ13 C record, thus potentially contributing to social or organisational changes at the site.

Late Cretaceous marine arthropods relied on terrestrial organic matter as a food source: Geochemical evidence from the Coon Creek Lagerstätte in the Mississippi Embayment.

The Upper Cretaceous Coon Creek Lagerstätte of Tennessee, USA, is known for its extremely well-preserved mollusks and decapod crustaceans. However, the depositional environment of this unit, particularly its distance to the shoreline, has long been equivocal. To better constrain the coastal proximity of the Coon Creek Formation, we carried out a multiproxy geochemical analysis of fossil decapod (crab, mud shrimp) cuticle and associated sediment from the type section. Elemental analysis and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of kerogenized carbon in the crabs and mud shrimp; carbon isotope (δ13 C) analysis of bulk decapod cuticle yielded similar mean δ13 C values for both taxa (-25.1‰ and -26‰, respectively). Sedimentary biomarkers were composed of n-alkanes from C16 to C36 , with the short-chain n-alkanes dominating, as well as other biomarkers (pristane, phytane, hopanes). Raman spectra and biomarker thermal maturity indices suggest that the Coon Creek Formation sediments are immature, which supports retention of unaltered, biogenic isotopic signals in the fossil organic carbon remains. Using our isotopic results and published calcium carbonate δ13 C values, we modeled carbon isotope values of carbon sources in the Coon Creek Formation, including potential marine (phytoplankton) and terrestrial (plant) dietary sources. Coon Creek Formation decapod δ13 C values fall closer to those estimated for terrigenous plants than marine phytoplankton, indicating that these organisms were feeding primarily on terrigenous organic matter. From this model, we infer that the Coon Creek Formation experienced significant terrigenous organic matter input via a freshwater source and thus was deposited in a shallow, nearshore marine environment proximal to the shoreline. This study helps refine the paleoecology of nearshore settings in the Mississippi Embayment during the global climatic shift in the late Campanian-early Maastrichtian and demonstrates for the first time that organic δ13 C signatures in exceptionally preserved fossil marine arthropods are a viable proxy for use in paleoenvironmental reconstructions.

Stable isotope discrimination factors and between-tissue isotope comparisons for bone and skin from captive and wild green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas).

The ecological application of stable isotope analysis (SIA) relies on taxa- and tissue-specific stable carbon (Δ13 C) and nitrogen (Δ15 N) isotope discrimination factors, determined with captive animals reared on known diets for sufficient time to reflect dietary isotope ratios. However, captive studies often prohibit lethal sampling, are difficult with endangered species, and reflect conditions not experienced in the wild. We overcame these constraints and determined the Δ13 C and Δ15 N values for skin and cortical bone from green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) that died in captivity and evaluated the utility of a mathematical approach to predict discrimination factors. Using stable carbon (δ13 C values) and nitrogen (δ15 N values) isotope ratios from captive and wild turtles, we established relationships between bone stable isotope (SI) ratios and those from skin, a non-lethally sampled tissue, to facilitate comparisons of SI ratios among studies using multiple tissues. The mean (±SD) Δ13 C and Δ15 N values (‰) between skin and bone from captive turtles and their diet (non-lipid-extracted) were 2.3 ± 0.3 and 4.1 ± 0.4 and 2.1 ± 0.6 and 5.1 ± 1.1, respectively. The mathematically predicted Δ13 C and Δ15 N values were similar (to within 1‰) to the experimentally derived values. The mean δ15 N values from bone were higher than those from skin for captive (+1.0 ± 0.9‰) and wild (+0.8 ± 1.0‰) turtles; the mean δ13 C values from bone were lower than those from skin for wild turtles (-0.6 ± 0.9‰), but the same as for captive turtles. We used linear regression equations to describe bone vs skin relationships and create bone-to-skin isotope conversion equations. For sea turtles, we provide the first (a) bone-diet SI discrimination factors, (b) comparison of SI ratios from individual-specific bone and skin, and (c) evaluation of the application of a mathematical approach to predict stable isotope discrimination factors. Our approach opens the door for future studies comparing different tissues, and relating SI ratios of captive to wild animals.

Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen as markers of dietary variation among sociocultural subgroups of Inuit in Greenland.

We assessed the use of stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen as biomarkers for traditional versus store-bought food among the Inuit. Furthermore, we compared the isotope patterns among sociocultural population groups. As a part of a country-wide health survey in Greenland during 2005-2010, we analyzed the isotope composition of toenails from 1025 adult Inuit and meat of common species hunted for food. Information on diet and sociocultural variables was collected by interviews. Weighted by sex and place of residence to the total population of Inuit in Greenland, the average δ13 C value in toenails was -20.2‰ and the δ15 N value was 12.0‰ which are higher than in a general Danish omnivorous population. Both isotopes were significantly associated with other biomarkers of marine food and with results of a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The percentage of marine food in the diet was estimated at 21% from the mean δ13 C value, 25% from the mean δ15 N value, and 23% from the FFQ. Nail samples for analysis of stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen were convenient to collect during a large population health survey among the Inuit. Isotope enrichment levels showed statistically significant associations with other biomarkers for consumption of marine food and with results of an FFQ and were used to estimate the percentage of marine food in the diet. Isotope levels were significantly associated with a novel score of sociocultural transition.

Molecular and Carbon Isotopic Compositions of n-Alkanoic Acids in Smoke from Maize Straw Combustion

Four cultivars of maize straw were burned under flaming and smoldering conditions. Smoke samples were colleted and analyzed by GC/MS and GC/C/IRMS to determine molecular and stable carbon isotopic compositions of n-alkanoic acids in them. The results showed that n-alkanoic acids in flaming smoke were composed of C7 to C34, with a mean total content of 13895.0 mg·kg-1. The average ratio values of the content for homologues with lower carbon number (≤C16) to that for ones with higher carbon number (>C16) (L/H), C18/C16, C24/C16, C24/C18, and C24/(C22+C26) (CAR) were 1.1, 0.33, 0.17, 0.50, and 1.2, respectively. Moreover, the acids exhibited a bimodal profile with peaks at C16 and C24, respectively. They had evident even to odd carbon number predominance (mean CPI: 4.5). In smoldering smoke the acids were consisted of C6 to C34, with an average total content of 50183.7 mg·kg-1. The mean ratios of L/H, C18/C16, C24/C16, C24/C18, and CAR were 1.3, 0.33, 0.20, 0.60, and 1.6, respectively. In addition, the homologues had the same distribution pattern as in flaming smoke and even to odd carbon number predominance (mean CPI=6.1). The mean carbon isotopic ratio (δ13 C) values for individual n-alkanoic acids (C14 to C26) in flaming smoke ranged from -21.0‰ to -24.8‰, the overall average of which was -23.5‰. The difference between mean δ13 C values of n-fatty acids in flaming smoke and the straw (Δ13 C) was -0.7‰. In smoldering smoke, the mean δ13 C values for the compounds varied from -21.8‰ to -25.4‰, with an overall average of -23.3‰. The Δ13 C value was up to -0.5‰. The molecular and carbon isotopic compositions of n-alkanoic acids in smoke were significantly different from those in straw matter. L/H, C24/C16, C24/C18, CAR, and δ13 C might be useful proxies to discriminate the organic pollutants in atmospheric aerosols derived from maize straw combustion.

Investigating economic specialization on the central Peruvian coast: A reconstruction of Late Intermediate Period Ychsma diet using stable isotopes.

Hypothetical models of socioeconomic organization in pre-Columbian societies generated from the rich ethnohistoric record in the New World require testing against the archaeological and bioarchaeological record. Here, we test ethnohistorian Maria Rostworowski's horizontality model of socioeconomic specialization for the Central Andean coast by reconstructing dietary practices in the Late Intermediate Period (c. AD 900-1470) Ychsma polity to evaluate complexities in social behaviors prior to Inka imperial influence. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of archaeological human bone collagen and apatite (δ13 Ccol[VPDB], δ15 Ncol[AIR] , δ13 Cap[VPDB] ) and locally available foods is used to reconstruct the diets of individuals from Armatambo (n = 67), associated ethnohistorically with fishing, and Rinconada Alta (n = 46), associated ethnohistorically with agriculture. Overall, mean δ15 Ncol[AIR] is significantly greater at Armatambo, while mean δ13 Ccol[VPDB] and mean δ13 Cap[VPDB] are not significantly different between the two sites. Within large-scale trends, adult mean δ13 Cap[VPDB] is significantly greater at Armatambo. In addition, nearly one-third of Armatambo adults and adolescents show divergent δ15 Ncol[AIR] values. These results indicate greater reliance on marine resources at Armatambo versus Rinconada Alta, supporting the ethnohistoric model of socioeconomic specialization for the Central Andean coast. Deviations from large-scale dietary trends suggest complexities not accounted for by the ethnohistoric model, including intra-community subsistence specialization and/or variation in resource access.

Species level patterns in 13 C and 15 N abundance of ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungal sporocarps.

• The natural abundance of 13 C (δ13 C) and 15 N (δ15 N) of saprotrophic and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi has been investigated on a number of occasions, but the significance of observed differences within and between the two trophic groups remains unclear. • Here, we examine the influence of taxonomy, site, host and time upon isotopic data from 135 fungal species collected at two forest sites in Sweden. • Mean δ13 C and δ15 N values differed significantly between ECM and saprotrophic fungi, with only a small degree of overlap even at the species level. Among ECM fungi, intraspecific variation in δ15 N was low compared with interspecific and intergeneric variation. Significant variation due to site, year and host association was found. • At broad scales a number of factors clearly influence δ13 C and δ15 N values making interpretation problematic. We suggest that values are essentially site-specific within the two trophic groups, but that species-level patterns exist potentially reflecting ecophysiological attributes of species. The species is therefore highlighted as the taxonomic level at which most information may be obtained from fungal δ13 C and δ15 N data.

δ13 Values of C4 Types in Grasses

δ13 values were determined for leaves of C4 grasses (Poaceae) of different photosynthetic types. For plants grown in the same environment at the same time, mean δ13 values for the three C4 types were: NADP-ME-type, - 11.350 � 0.13 s.e. (11 spp.); PCK-type, - 11.950 � 0.19 s.e. (11 spp.); and NAD-ME-type, -12.70 � 0.21 s.e. (9 spp.). Although there is some overlap between the values for individual species of the three groups, the difference between any two means is highly significant [P(t) < 0.01] and is not due to taxonomic sampling bias at the subfamily level. The differences in means may suggest that C4 types differ in rates of leakage of CO2 and HCO3- from PCR tissue ('photosynthetic carbon reduction' tissue: equivalent to 'Kranz' tissue), and/or, using Farquhar's (Appendix) expression for plant δ values, that C4 types differ in their average intercellular CO2 concentrations (c1). It is also possible that differences between C4 types exist in some other, unknown, leaf fractionation process. Apoplastic CO2 leakage from PCR tissue in NAD-ME-type C4 grasses, which do not possess a PCR 'suberized lamella' as found in NADP-ME- type and PCK-type C4 grasses, may give these species the most negative δ13 values. Expressions for C4 plant δ13 values, and a model for the δ13 values of CO2 and HCO3- in various pools and fluxes in C4 plant leaves, are given.