Long chain n-alkanes and their carbon isotopes in lichen species from western Hubei Province: implication for geological records

Huang, Xianyu; Xue, Jinzhuang; Guo, Song

doi:10.1007/s11707-012-0300-8

Cited by 18 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…2), but they rather have 2-and 3-methyl isomers as the predominant input. This signal has been observed in lichen (consisting of an alga and a fungus; Huang et al, 2012), although the source of the compounds remains poorly defined (Huang et al, 2011). Samples with a weak even-overodd carbon number predominance sometimes also produce these high-molecular-weight methylalkanes, and this signal has been associated with algal organic matter, if the thermal maturity is not high (Cheng et al, 2018), which is not the case for any of the samples studied here (Section 5.3).…”

Section: Depositional Environmentsmentioning

confidence: 66%

Biomolecules from Fossilized Hot Spring Sinters: Implications for the Search for Life on Mars

et al. 2020

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Hot spring environments are commonly dominated by silica sinters that precipitate by the rapid cooling of silicasaturated fluids and the activity of microbial communities. However, the potential for preservation of organic traces of life in silica sinters back through time is not well understood. This is important for the exploration of early life on Earth and possibly Mars. Most previous studies have focused on physical preservation in samples <900 years old, with only a few focused on organic biomarkers. In this study, we investigate the organic geochemistry of hot spring samples from El Tatio, Chile and the Taupo Volcanic Zone, with ages varying from modern to *9.4 ka. Results show that all samples contain opaline silica and contain hydrocarbons that are indicative of a cyanobacterial origin. A *3 ka recrystallized, quartz-bearing sample also contains traces of cyanobacterial biomarkers. No aromatic compounds were detected in a *9.4 ka opal-A sample or in a modern sinter breccia sample. All other samples contain naphthalene, with one sample also containing other polyaromatic hydrocarbons. These aromatic hydrocarbons have a thermally mature distribution that is perhaps reflective of geothermal fluids migrating from deep, rather than surface, reservoirs. These data show that hot spring sinters can preserve biomolecules from the local microbial community, and that crystallinity rather than age may be the determining factor in their preservation. This research provides support for the exploration for biomolecules in opaline silica deposits on Mars.

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Section: Depositional Environmentsmentioning

confidence: 66%

Biomolecules from Fossilized Hot Spring Sinters: Implications for the Search for Life on Mars

et al. 2020

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“…Despite the slightly narrower ACL 23-33 range, their results show similarities to our xero-mesophilic group. A comparison between ACL 21-33 , ratios of Sphagnum (plant position nearly at water level) of Huang et al (2012b) and our brown mosses shows that the ACL 21-33 ratios of Sphagnum species are rather lower. The intraspecific conclusion of Huang et al (2012b) As we observed a clear difference in the ACL 21-33 between the xero-mesophilic and the meso-hygrophilic group, we suggest that the inclusion of mid-chain n-alkanes (n-C 21 to n-C 25 ) in the equation of ACL improves its value as a proxy for moisture conditions.…”

Section: Patterns Of N-alkanementioning

confidence: 54%

“…A comparison between ACL 21-33 , ratios of Sphagnum (plant position nearly at water level) of Huang et al (2012b) and our brown mosses shows that the ACL 21-33 ratios of Sphagnum species are rather lower. The intraspecific conclusion of Huang et al (2012b) As we observed a clear difference in the ACL 21-33 between the xero-mesophilic and the meso-hygrophilic group, we suggest that the inclusion of mid-chain n-alkanes (n-C 21 to n-C 25 ) in the equation of ACL improves its value as a proxy for moisture conditions. Andersson et al (2011) inferred ACL 27-31 values of 29 for brown-moss peat from western Russia during wet phases, which is, however, poorly comparable to our results because they investigated total peat organic matter instead of pure moss material.…”

Section: Patterns Of N-alkanementioning

confidence: 54%

C  ∕ N ratio, stable isotope (δ13C, δ15N), and n-alkane patterns of brown mosses along hydrological gradients of low-centred polygons of the Siberian Arctic

et al. 2017

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Abstract. Mosses are a major component of the arctic vegetation, particularly in wetlands. We present C ∕ N atomic ratio, δ13C and δ15N data of 400 brown-moss samples belonging to 10 species that were collected along hydrological gradients within polygonal mires located on the southern Taymyr Peninsula and the Lena River delta in northern Siberia. Additionally, n-alkane patterns of six of these species (16 samples) were investigated. The aim of the study is to see whether the inter- and intraspecific differences in C ∕ N, isotopic compositions and n-alkanes are indicative of habitat, particularly with respect to water level. Overall, we find high variability in all investigated parameters for two different moisture-related groups of moss species. The C ∕ N ratios range between 11 and 53 (median: 32) and show large variations at the intraspecific level. However, species preferring a dry habitat (xero-mesophilic mosses) show higher C ∕ N ratios than those preferring a wet habitat (meso-hygrophilic mosses). The δ13C values range between −37.0 and −22.5 ‰ (median  =  −27.8 ‰). The δ15N values range between −6.6 and +1.7 ‰ (median  =  −2.2 ‰). We find differences in δ13C and δ15N compositions between both habitat types. For some species of the meso-hygrophilic group, we suggest that a relationship between the individual habitat water level and isotopic composition can be inferred as a function of microbial symbiosis. The n-alkane distribution also shows differences primarily between xero-mesophilic and meso-hygrophilic mosses, i.e. having a dominance of n-alkanes with long (n-C29, n-C31) and intermediate (n-C25) chain lengths, respectively. Overall, our results reveal that C ∕ N ratios, isotopic signals and n-alkanes of studied brown-moss taxa from polygonal wetlands are characteristic of their habitat.

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“…Common rust fungus (Puccinia graminis f. sp. avenae) contained high abundant n-C23 alkane in its airborne urediospores [40,41]. Also, Nichols [43] believe that sphagnum leaf wax is characterized by medium chain length (C23-C25) n-alkanes [33,42,43].…”

Section: Saturated Fractionmentioning

confidence: 99%

First Report of Biomarkers from Tabriz Lignite Beds (NW Iran)

Shiri¹,

Siabeghodsy²,

Sabzi³

2016

ujg

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Biomarkers are very useful tools for paleontologists, especially where the undistinguishable organic matters like Tabriz lignite cannot be attributed to particular fossils. In this study, the important detected biomarkers in Tabriz lignite beds are Oleananes (Olean-12ene and Friedelane), beta carotene, Dibenzofuran and Gibberellic acid. The results indicate angiosperm higher and lower plants entering from adjacent areas into the lake sedimentary environment of the lignite beds. No biomarker of gymnosperm was found. The short chain even n-alkanes (C18 and C20) imply the contribution of marine microorganisms, C23 normal alkane is derived from terrestrial plants specially Sphagnum leaf wax, the existing simple methyl saturated alkanes (C11-C22) is derived from cyanobacteria and algae and thiophene formed by sulfate reducing bacteria. Thus, Tabriz lignite have two extrabasinal and intrabasinal origins that the first is made of the higher (angiosperms) and lower terrestrial plants have transported by runoffs into the basin and the second origin is made of seagrasses, cyanobacteria and algae within the lignite beds basin.

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Long chain n-alkanes and their carbon isotopes in lichen species from western Hubei Province: implication for geological records

Cited by 18 publications

References 39 publications

Biomolecules from Fossilized Hot Spring Sinters: Implications for the Search for Life on Mars

Biomolecules from Fossilized Hot Spring Sinters: Implications for the Search for Life on Mars

C  ∕ N ratio, stable isotope (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C, <i>δ</i><sup>15</sup>N), and <i>n</i>-alkane patterns of brown mosses along hydrological gradients of low-centred polygons of the Siberian Arctic

First Report of Biomarkers from Tabriz Lignite Beds (NW Iran)

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Long chain n-alkanes and their carbon isotopes in lichen species from western Hubei Province: implication for geological records

Cited by 18 publications

References 39 publications

Biomolecules from Fossilized Hot Spring Sinters: Implications for the Search for Life on Mars

Biomolecules from Fossilized Hot Spring Sinters: Implications for the Search for Life on Mars

C ∕ N ratio, stable isotope (&lt;i&gt;δ&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;13&lt;/sup&gt;C, &lt;i&gt;δ&lt;/i&gt;&lt;sup&gt;15&lt;/sup&gt;N), and &lt;i&gt;n&lt;/i&gt;-alkane patterns of brown mosses along hydrological gradients of low-centred polygons of the Siberian Arctic

First Report of Biomarkers from Tabriz Lignite Beds (NW Iran)

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C  ∕ N ratio, stable isotope (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C, <i>δ</i><sup>15</sup>N), and <i>n</i>-alkane patterns of brown mosses along hydrological gradients of low-centred polygons of the Siberian Arctic