scholarly journals Improved end-member characterization of modern organic matter pools in the Ohrid Basin (Albania, Macedonia) and evaluation of new palaeoenvironmental proxies

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 12975-13039 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Holtvoeth ◽  
D. Rushworth ◽  
A. Imeri ◽  
M. Cara ◽  
H. Vogel ◽  
...  

Abstract. We present elemental, lipid biomarker and compound-specific isotope (δ13C, δ2H) data for soils and leaf litter collected in the catchment of Lake Ohrid (Albania, Macedonia), as well as macrophytes, particulate organic matter and sediments from the lake itself. Lake Ohrid provides an outstanding archive of continental environmental change of at least 1.2 M years and the purpose of our study is to ground truth organic geochemical proxies that we developed in order to study past changes in the terrestrial biome. We show that soils dominate the lipid signal of the lake sediments rather than the vegetation or aquatic biomass, while compound-specific isotopes (δ13C, δ2H) determined for n-alkanoic acids confirm a dominant terrestrial source of organic matter to the lake. There is a strong imprint of suberin monomers on the composition of total lipid extracts and chain-length distributions of n-alkanoic acids, n-alcohols, ω-hydroxy acids and α,ω-dicarboxylic acids. Our end-member survey identifies that ratios of mid-chain length suberin-derived to long-chain length cuticular-derived alkyl compounds as well as their average chain length distributions can be used as new molecular proxies of organic matter sources to the lake. We tested these for the 8.2 ka event, a pronounced and widespread Holocene climate fluctuation. In SE Europe climate became drier and cooler in response to the event, as is clearly recognizable in the carbonate and organic carbon records of Lake Ohrid sediments. Our new proxies indicate biome modification in response to hydrological changes, identifying two phases of increased soil OM supply, first from topsoils and then from mineral soils. Our study demonstrates that geochemical fingerprinting of terrestrial OM should focus on the main lipid sources, rather than the living biomass. Both can exhibit climate-controlled variability, but are generally not identical.

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 795-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Holtvoeth ◽  
D. Rushworth ◽  
H. Copsey ◽  
A. Imeri ◽  
M. Cara ◽  
...  

Abstract. We present elemental, lipid biomarker and, in the supplement, compound-specific isotope (δ13C, δ2H) data for soils and leaf litter collected in the catchment of Lake Ohrid (Albania, Macedonia), as well as macrophytes, particulate organic matter and sediments from the lake itself. Lake Ohrid provides an outstanding archive of continental environmental change of at least 1.2 million years and the purpose of our study is to ground truth organic geochemical proxies that we developed in order to study past changes in the terrestrial biome. We show that soils dominate the lipid signal of the lake sediments rather than the vegetation or aquatic biomass. There is a strong imprint of suberin monomers on the composition of total lipid extracts and chain-length distributions of n-alkanoic acids, n-alcohols, ω-hydroxy acids and α, ω-dicarboxylic acids. Our end-member survey identifies that ratios of mid-chain length suberin-derived to long-chain length cuticular-derived alkyl compounds as well as their average chain length distributions can be used as new molecular proxies of organic matter sources to the lake. We tested these for the 8.2 ka event, a pronounced and widespread Holocene climate fluctuation. In SE Europe climate became drier and cooler in response to the event, as is clearly recognisable in the carbonate and organic carbon records of Lake Ohrid sediments. Our new proxies indicate biome modification in response to hydrological changes, identifying two phases of increased soil organic matter (OM) supply, first from soils with moderately degraded OM and then from more degraded soils. Our study demonstrates that geochemical fingerprinting of terrestrial OM should focus on the main lipid sources, rather than the living biomass. Both can exhibit climate-controlled variability, but are generally not identical.


Author(s):  
Reilly M. Blocho ◽  
Richard W. Smith ◽  
Mark R. Noll

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to observe how the composition of organic matter (OM) and the extent of anoxia during deposition within the Marcellus Formation in New York varied by distance from the sediment source in eastern New York. Lipid biomarkers (n-alkanes and fatty acids) in the extractable organic component (bitumen) of the shale samples were analyzed, and proxies such as the average chain length (ACL), aquatic to terrestrial ratio (ATR) and carbon preference index (CPI) of n-alkanes were calculated. Fatty acids were relatively non-abundant due to the age of the shale bed, but n-alkane distributions revealed that the primary component of the OM was terrigenous plants. The presence of shorter n-alkane chain lengths in the samples indicated that there was also a minor component of phytoplankton and algal (marine) sourced OM. Whole rock analyses were also conducted, and cerium anomalies were calculated as a proxy for anoxia. All samples had a negative anomaly value, indicating anoxic conditions during deposition. Two samples, however, contained values close to zero and thus were determined to have suboxic conditions. Anoxia and total organic matter (TOM) did not show any spatial trends across the basin, which may be caused by varying depths within the basin during deposition. A correlation between nickel concentrations and TOM was observed and indicates that algae was the primary source of the marine OM, which supports the lipid biomarker analysis. It was determined that the kerogen type of the Marcellus Formation in New York State is type III, consistent with a methane-forming shale bed.


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 3473-3489 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Holtvoeth ◽  
H. Vogel ◽  
B. Wagner ◽  
G. A. Wolff

Abstract. Organic matter preserved in Lake Ohrid sediments originates from aquatic and terrestrial sources. Its variable composition reflects climate-controlled changes in the lake basin's hydrology and related organic matter export, i.e. changes in primary productivity, terrestrial plant matter input and soil erosion. Here, we present first results from lipid biomarker investigations of Lake Ohrid sediments from two near-shore settings: site Lz1120 near the southern shore, with low-lying lands nearby and probably influenced by river discharge, and site Co1202 which is close to the steep eastern slopes. Variable proportions of terrestrial n-alkanoic acids and n-alkanols as well as compositional changes of ω-hydroxy acids document differences in soil organic matter supply between the sites and during different climate stages (glacial, Holocene, 8.2 ka cooling event). Changes in the vegetation cover are suggested by changes in the dominant chain length of terrestrial n-alkanols. Effective microbial degradation of labile organic matter and in situ contribution of organic matter derived from the microbes themselves are both evident in the sediments. We found evidence for anoxic conditions within the photic zone by detecting epicholestanol and tetrahymanol from sulphur-oxidising phototrophic bacteria and bacterivorous ciliates and for the influence of a settled human community from the occurrence of coprostanol, a biomarker for human and animal faeces (pigs, sheep, goats), in an early Holocene sample. This study illustrates the potential of lipid biomarkers for future environmental reconstructions using one of Europe's oldest continental climate archives, Lake Ohrid.


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 4607-4640 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Holtvoeth ◽  
H. Vogel ◽  
B. Wagner ◽  
G. A. Wolff

Abstract. Organic matter preserved in Lake Ohrid sediments originates from aquatic and terrestrial sources. Its variable composition reflects climate-controlled changes in the lake basin's hydrology and related organic matter export, i.e. changes in primary productivity, terrestrial plant matter input and soil erosion. Here, we present first results from lipid biomarker investigations of Lake Ohrid sediments from two near-shore settings: Site Lz1120 near the southern shore, with flat lands nearby and probably influenced by river discharge, and site Co1202 which is close to the steep eastern slopes. Variable proportions of terrestrial n-alkanoic acids and n-alkanols as well as compositional changes of ω-hydroxy acids document differences in soil organic matter supply between the sites and during different climate stages (glacial, Holocene, 8.2 ka cooling event). Changes in the vegetation cover are suggested by changes in the dominant chain length of terrestrial n-alkanols. Effective microbial degradation of labile organic matter and in situ contribution of organic matter derived from the microbes themselves are both evident in the sediments. We found evidence for anoxic conditions within the photic zone by detecting epicholestanol from sulphur-oxidising phototrophic bacteria and for the influence of an early human community from the occurrence of coprostanol, a biomarker for human and cattle faeces, in an early Holocene sample. This study illustrates the potential of lipid biomarkers for future environmental reconstructions using one of Europe's oldest continental climate archives, Lake Ohrid.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Haugk ◽  
Loeka Laura Jongejans ◽  
Kai Mangelsdorf ◽  
Matthias Fuchs ◽  
Olga Ogneva ◽  
...  

Abstract. Organic carbon (OC) stored in Arctic permafrost represents one of Earth’s largest and most vulnerable terrestrial carbon pools. Amplified climate warming across the Arctic results in widespread permafrost thaw. Permafrost deposits exposed at river cliffs and coasts are particularly susceptible to thawing processes. Accelerating erosion of terrestrial permafrost along shorelines leads to increased transfer of organic matter (OM) to nearshore waters. However, the amount of terrestrial permafrost carbon and nitrogen as well as the OM quality in these deposits are still poorly quantified. Here, we characterise the sources and the quality of OM supplied to the Lena River at a rapidly eroding permafrost river shoreline cliff in the eastern part of the delta (Sobo-Sise Island). Our multi-proxy approach captures bulk elemental, molecular geochemical and carbon isotopic analyses of late Pleistocene Yedoma permafrost and Holocene cover deposits, discontinuously spanning the last ~52 ka. We show that the ancient permafrost exposed in the Sobo-Sise cliff has a high organic carbon content (mean of about 5 wt%).We found that the OM quality, which we define as the intrinsic potential to further transformation, decomposition, and mineralization, is also high as inferred by the lipid biomarker inventory. The oldest sediments stem from Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 interstadial deposits (dated to 52 to 28 cal kyr BP) and is overlaid by Last Glacial MIS 2 (dated to 28 to 15 cal ka BP) and Holocene MIS 1 (dated to 7–0 cal ka BP) deposits. The relatively high average chain length (ACL) index of n-alkanes along the cliff profile indicates a predominant contribution of vascular plants to the OM composition. The elevated ratio of iso and anteiso-branched FAs relative to long chain (C ≥ 20) n-FAs in the interstadial MIS 3 and the interglacial MIS 1 deposits, suggests stronger microbial activity and consequently higher input of bacterial biomass during these climatically warmer periods. The overall high carbon preference index (CPI) and higher plant fatty acid (HPFA) values as well as high C / N ratios point to a good quality of the preserved OM and thus to a high potential of the OM for decomposition upon thaw. A decrease of HPFA values downwards along the profile probably indicates a relatively stronger OM decomposition in the oldest (MIS 3) deposits of the cliff. The characterisation of OM from eroding permafrost leads to a better assessment of the greenhouse gas potential of the OC released into river and nearshore waters in future, which is important to understand the consequences of a warming climate in Arctic environments on the global carbon cycle.


1975 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1633-1639 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Hoyer ◽  
E. Thomas ◽  
M. Wobst

Abstract At temperatures just above the melting point molten Selenium seems to be a mixture of long chains and eight-membered rings. With increasing temperature the number of rings and the average chain length decrease. At 460 °C the average chain length lies in the range of 10 atoms.In a slightly supercooled Tellurium-melt the number of first neighbours is two. The atoms are arranged in chains. Selenium rich Se-Te-alloy-melts are built up of mixed chains. It seems to be possible, that a smaller part of atoms forms Se6Te2 rings. At Tellurium concentrations higher than approximately 50 at.-% the chainlike structure with two next nearest neighbours changes to a disturbed Arsen-like short range order. The number of electrons in the first coordination shell, the short range order parameter introduced by Cowley and the partial coordination numbers show that Se-Te-alloys are of the "solution system" type, but in the whole concentration range for each atom there is a tendency to have "strange coordination".


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4877-4884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Shevchenko ◽  
Inna Miroshnyk ◽  
Lars-Olof Pietilä ◽  
Jorma Haarala ◽  
Jukka Salmia ◽  
...  

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 328-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kariona A. Grabińska ◽  
Paula Magnelli ◽  
Phillips W. Robbins

ABSTRACT Chs4p (Cal2/Csd4/Skt5) was identified as a protein factor physically interacting with Chs3p, the catalytic subunit of chitin synthase III (CSIII), and is indispensable for its enzymatic activity in vivo. Chs4p contains a putative farnesyl attachment site at the C-terminal end (CVIM motif) conserved in Chs4p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other fungi. Several previous reports questioned the role of Chs4p prenylation in chitin biosynthesis. In this study we reinvestigated the function of Chs4p prenylation. We provide evidence that Chs4p is farnesylated by showing that purified Chs4p is recognized by anti-farnesyl antibody and is a substrate for farnesyl transferase (FTase) in vitro and that inactivation of FTase increases the amount of unmodified Chs4p in yeast cells. We demonstrate that abolition of Chs4p prenylation causes a ∼60% decrease in CSIII activity, which is correlated with a ∼30% decrease in chitin content and with increased resistance to the chitin binding compound calcofluor white. Furthermore, we show that lack of Chs4p prenylation decreases the average chain length of the chitin polymer. Prenylation of Chs4p, however, is not a factor that mediates plasma membrane association of the protein. Our results provide evidence that the prenyl moiety attached to Chs4p is a factor modulating the activity of CSIII both in vivo and in vitro.


The Holocene ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-27
Author(s):  
Lilei Chen ◽  
Feng Li ◽  
Jian Liu ◽  
Xingliang He

The use of lipid biomarkers as paleoenvironmental proxies relies on an accurate assessment of their organic matter (OM) sources. In this study, we analyzed multiple lipids in core sediments recovered from the Zhejiang–Fujian coastal mud area to provide a 160-year record of OM input to the East China Sea (ECS) coastal sediments and to reconstruct paleoenvironmental conditions over this interval. The molecular composition of the samples was characterized by a mixture of natural lipids, particularly those derived from terrestrial vascular plants, marine/riverine plankton and macrophytes, and bacteria. The sources of some lipid components were ambiguous/mixed as they were potentially derived from multiple precursor organisms and because of limitations associated with modern survey techniques. There is evidence that early diagenesis caused the preferential degradation of labile aquatic lipids and that the degradation of terrestrial lipids was more severe when subjected to complex horizontal–vertical transportation processes associated with deposition, resuspension, and redeposition. These processes may have led to an enhanced terrestrial OM signal in the normal ( n)-alkane and n-alkanol records, which is at odds with, for example, those of the n-fatty acids, hopanoids, steranes, and sterols, which suggest a dominant marine OM source. Furthermore, we conclude that the occurrence of multiple sources, selective diagenesis, and test error has led to the distortion of redox and maturity indicators based on evidence from pristane-to-phytane (Pr/Ph) ratios and sterane/hopane indices in century scale. Overall, the phytol record suggests an increase in productivity after the early 20th century. Correspondingly, the diatom lipid biomarker records (based on C25 highly branched isoprenoid alkenes and C18:1ω9 fatty acids) reveal a fluctuating but overall increasing diatom productivity after the early 20th century, which coincides with a decreased proportion of the contribution from diatoms relative to that of total phytoplankton. This is believed to correspond to natural environmental changes, as well as anthropogenic impact.


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