Isotopic biomarker nitrogen isotopes

Pathways of carbon flow in natural environments have also been reconstracted using bulk stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes as well as compound-specific isotopic analysis of individual biomarker lipid component (Hayes et al, 1990) based on the fractionations involved during primary (photosynthetic) and secondary (heterotrophic) processes. Recently, compound-specific radiocarbon analysis of individual biomarker hpid has been shown to be a valuable technique to determine the source of marine organic matter (Eglinton et al., 1997). 

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