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3 pages, 212 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue “Applications of Stable Isotope Analysis”

by Antonio V. Herrera-Herrera and Margarita Jambrina-Enríquez

Molecules 2022, 27(21), 7293; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27217293 - 27 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1244

Abstract

The isotopic composition of matter is controlled by different physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Stable Isotope Analysis)

Research

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20 pages, 967 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Measurement Uncertainty and Risk of False Compliance Assessment Applied to Carbon Isotopic Analyses in Natural Gas Exploratory Evaluation

by Fabiano Galdino Leal, Alexandre de Andrade Ferreira, Gabriel Moraes Silva, Tulio Alves Freire, Marcelo Ribeiro Costa, Erica Tavares de Morais, Jarbas Vicente Poley Guzzo and Elcio Cruz de Oliveira

Molecules 2024, 29(13), 3065; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29133065 - 27 Jun 2024

Viewed by 932

Abstract

The concept of uncertainty in an isotopic analysis is not uniform in the scientific community worldwide and can compromise the risk of false compliance assessment applied to carbon isotopic analyses in natural gas exploratory evaluation. In this work, we demonstrated a way to [...] Read more.

The concept of uncertainty in an isotopic analysis is not uniform in the scientific community worldwide and can compromise the risk of false compliance assessment applied to carbon isotopic analyses in natural gas exploratory evaluation. In this work, we demonstrated a way to calculate one of the main sources of this uncertainty, which is underestimated in most studies focusing on gas analysis: the δ¹³C calculation itself is primarily based on the raw analytical data. The carbon isotopic composition of methane, ethane, propane, and CO₂ was measured. After a detailed mathematical treatment, the corresponding expanded uncertainties for each analyte were calculated. Next, for the systematic isotopic characterization of the two gas standards, we calculated the standard uncertainty, intermediary precision, combined standard uncertainty, and finally, the expanded uncertainty for methane, ethane, propane, and CO₂. We have found an expanded uncertainty value of 1.8‰ for all compounds, except for propane, where a value of 1.6‰ was obtained. The expanded uncertainty values calculated with the approach shown in this study reveal that the error arising from the application of delta calculation algorithms cannot be neglected, and the obtained values are higher than 0.5‰, usually considered as the accepted uncertainty associated with the GC-IRMS analyses. Finally, based on the use of uncertainty information to evaluate the risk of false compliance, the lower and upper acceptance limits for the carbon isotopic analysis of methane in natural gas are calculated, considering the exploratory limits between −55‰ and −50‰: (i) for the underestimated current uncertainty of 0.5‰, the lower and upper acceptance limits, respectively, are −54.6‰ and −50.4‰; and (ii) for the proposed realistic uncertainty of 1.8‰, the lower and upper acceptance limits would be more restrictive; i.e., −53.5‰ and −51.5‰, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Stable Isotope Analysis)

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16 pages, 1942 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trophic Dynamics and Feeding Ecology of Skipjack Tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) off Eastern and Western Taiwan

by Yun-Chen Chang, Wei-Chuan Chiang, Daniel J. Madigan, Fu-Yuan Tsai, Ching-Lung Chiang, Hung-Hung Hsu, Shiow-Mei Lin, Mei-Ying Zhuang, Ching-Ting Sun, Lu-Chi Chen and Sheng-Ping Wang

Molecules 2022, 27(3), 1073; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27031073 - 5 Feb 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3043

Abstract

The skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is a mesopredator fish species with seasonal abundance in waters off Taiwan. Regional ecological and life-history information has been historically lacking for this species. In recent years, stable isotope analysis (SIA) of carbon and nitrogen has [...] Read more.

The skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) is a mesopredator fish species with seasonal abundance in waters off Taiwan. Regional ecological and life-history information has been historically lacking for this species. In recent years, stable isotope analysis (SIA) of carbon and nitrogen has been used to assess predator feeding ecology and broader ecosystem trophic dynamics. This study evaluated comparative skipjack feeding ecology in distinct regions off Taiwan, combining traditional stomach content analysis with SIA of individuals off western (n = 43; 2020) and eastern (n = 347; 2012–2014 and n = 167; 2020) Taiwan. The stomach content analysis showed the most important prey to be ponyfish (Photopectoralis bindus) in western Taiwan and epipelagic squids (Myopsina spp.) and carangids (Decapterus macrosoma;) in eastern Taiwan from 2012 to 2014 and epipelagic carangids (Decapterus spp.) and flying fishes (Cheilopogon spp.) in eastern Taiwan in 2020, suggesting that the skipjack tuna is a generalist predator across regions. In contrast, time-integrated diet estimates from Bayesian mixing models indicated the importance of cephalopods and crustaceans as prey, potentially demonstrating more mesopelagic feeding in less productive waters during skipjack migrations outside the study regions. Skipjack off western Taiwan had a slightly higher estimated trophic position than in the waters off eastern Taiwan, potentially driven by the varying nutrient-driven pelagic food web structures. Skipjack SI values increased with body size off eastern Taiwan but not in western waters, suggesting that opportunistic predation can still result in different predator–prey size dynamics between regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Stable Isotope Analysis)

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19 pages, 31550 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Does Diet Influence Our Lives? Evaluating the Relationship between Isotopic Signatures and Mortality Patterns in Italian Roman Imperial and Medieval Periods

by Marica Baldoni, Alessandra Nardi, Flavio De Angelis, Olga Rickards and Cristina Martínez-Labarga

Molecules 2021, 26(13), 3895; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26133895 - 25 Jun 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2463

Abstract

The present research investigates the relationship between dietary habits and mortality patterns in the Roman Imperial and Medieval periods. The reconstructions of population dynamics and subsistence strategies provide a fascinating source of information for understanding our history. This is particularly true given that [...] Read more.

The present research investigates the relationship between dietary habits and mortality patterns in the Roman Imperial and Medieval periods. The reconstructions of population dynamics and subsistence strategies provide a fascinating source of information for understanding our history. This is particularly true given that the changes in social, economic, political, and religious aspects related to the transition from the Roman period to the Middle Ages have been widely discussed. We analyzed the isotopic and mortality patterns of 616 individuals from 18 archeological sites (the Medieval Latium sites of Colonna, Santa Severa, Allumiere, Cencelle, and 14 Medieval and Imperial funerary contexts from Rome) to compile a survivorship analysis. A semi-parametric approach was applied, suggesting variations in mortality patterns between sexes in the Roman period. Nitrogen isotopic signatures influenced mortality in both periods, showing a quadratic and a linear effect for Roman Imperial and Medieval populations, respectively. No influence of carbon isotopic signatures has been detected for Roman Imperial populations. Conversely, increased mortality risk for rising carbon isotopic values was observed in Medieval samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Stable Isotope Analysis)

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12 pages, 5741 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Isotopic Indications of Late Pleistocene and Holocene Paleoenvironmental Changes at Boodie Cave Archaeological Site, Barrow Island, Western Australia

by Jane Skippington, Tiina Manne and Peter Veth

Molecules 2021, 26(9), 2582; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26092582 - 28 Apr 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2377

Abstract

This paper presents the first application of mammal tooth enamel carbonate stable isotope analysis for the purpose of investigating late Pleistocene–early Holocene environmental change in an Australian archaeological context. Stable carbon (δ¹³C) and oxygen (δ¹⁸O) isotope ratios were analyzed [...] Read more.

This paper presents the first application of mammal tooth enamel carbonate stable isotope analysis for the purpose of investigating late Pleistocene–early Holocene environmental change in an Australian archaeological context. Stable carbon (δ¹³C) and oxygen (δ¹⁸O) isotope ratios were analyzed from archaeological and modern spectacled hare wallaby (Lagorchestes conspicillatus) and hill kangaroo (Osphranter robustus) tooth enamel carbonates from Boodie Cave on Barrow Island in Western Australia. δ¹⁸O results track the dynamic paleoecological history at Boodie Cave including a clear shift towards increasing aridity preceding the onset of the Last Glacial Maximum and a period of increased humidity in the early to mid-Holocene. Enamel δ¹³C reflects divergent species feeding ecology and may imply a long-term shift toward increasing diversity in vegetation structure. This study contributes new data to the carbonate-isotope record for Australian fauna and demonstrates the significant potential of stable isotope based ecological investigations for tracking paleoenvironment change to inter-strata resolution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Stable Isotope Analysis)

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13 pages, 3154 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Traceability and Authentication of Manila Clams from North-Western Adriatic Lagoons Using C and N Stable Isotope Analysis

by Gianluca Bianchini, Valentina Brombin, Pasquale Carlino, Enrico Mistri, Claudio Natali and Gian Marco Salani

Molecules 2021, 26(7), 1859; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26071859 - 25 Mar 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2649

Abstract

In the Adriatic lagoons of northern Italy, manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) farming provides important socio-economic returns and local clams should be registered with the Protected Designations of Origin scheme. Therefore, there is a need for the development of rapid, cost-effective tests [...] Read more.

In the Adriatic lagoons of northern Italy, manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) farming provides important socio-economic returns and local clams should be registered with the Protected Designations of Origin scheme. Therefore, there is a need for the development of rapid, cost-effective tests to guarantee the origin of the product and to prevent potential fraud. In this work, an elemental analysis (EA) coupled with isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) was employed to identify the isotopic fingerprints of clams directly collected onsite in three Adriatic lagoons and bought at a local supermarket, where they exhibited certification. In particular, a multivariate analysis of C/N, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N in manila clam tissues as well as δ¹³C in shells and

Δ

¹³C (calculated as δ¹³C_shell–δ¹³C_tissues) seems a promising approach for tracking the geographical origin of manila clams at the regional scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Stable Isotope Analysis)

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9 pages, 296 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Investigating Hydrogen Isotope Variation during Heating of n-Alkanes under Limited Oxygen Conditions: Implications for Palaeoclimate Reconstruction in Archaeological Settings

by Rory Connolly, Margarita Jambrina-Enríquez, Antonio V. Herrera-Herrera and Carolina Mallol

Molecules 2021, 26(7), 1830; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26071830 - 24 Mar 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2777

Abstract

This paper reports on a series of heating experiments that focus on n-alkanes extracted from leaf, bark, and xylem tissues of the Celtis australis plant. These lipid biomarkers were analysed for their compound-specific hydrogen isotopic composition (δ²H_wax) under [...] Read more.

This paper reports on a series of heating experiments that focus on n-alkanes extracted from leaf, bark, and xylem tissues of the Celtis australis plant. These lipid biomarkers were analysed for their compound-specific hydrogen isotopic composition (δ²H_wax) under limited oxygen conditions at 150, 250, 350, and 450 °C. Our results reveal isotopic variations in wax lipids of different plant organs during short-term low-temperature combustion. We conclude that, in the absence of a detailed characterisation of the depositional environment in advance of sampling, δ²H_wax values in archaeological or otherwise highly anthropogenic environments should be interpreted cautiously. In addition, we observed that variation in δ²H_wax of leaves is minimal at temperatures ≤ 350 °C, highlighting the potential for δ²H_wax in thermally altered combustion substrates to yield palaeoclimate information, which could allow researchers to investigate links between archaeological and climatic records at a high spatial and temporal resolution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Stable Isotope Analysis)

Review

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28 pages, 6221 KiB

Open AccessReview

Stable Isotope Geochemistry of the Organic Elements within Shales and Crude Oils: A Comprehensive Review

by Abiodun Busuyi Ogbesejana, Bo Liu and Mehdi Ostadhassan

Molecules 2022, 27(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27010034 - 22 Dec 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4075

Abstract

Over time, stable isotopes have proven to be a useful tool in petroleum geochemistry. However, there is currently insufficient literature on stable isotope geochemistry of the organic elements within shales and crude oils in many petroleum systems around the world. As a result, [...] Read more.

Over time, stable isotopes have proven to be a useful tool in petroleum geochemistry. However, there is currently insufficient literature on stable isotope geochemistry of the organic elements within shales and crude oils in many petroleum systems around the world. As a result, this paper critically reviews the early and recent trends in stable isotope geochemistry of organic elements in shales and crude oils. The bulk and compound-specific stable isotopes of H, C, and S, as well as their uses as source facies, depositional environments, thermal maturity, geological age, and oil–oil and oil–source rock correlation studies, are all taken into account. The applications of the stable isotopes of H and C in gas exploration are also discussed. Then, the experimental and instrumental approaches to the stable isotopes of H, C, and S, are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Stable Isotope Analysis)

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19 pages, 1017 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review on Applications of ¹⁷O in Hydrological Cycle

by Yalalt Nyamgerel, Yeongcheol Han, Minji Kim, Dongchan Koh and Jeonghoon Lee

Molecules 2021, 26(15), 4468; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26154468 - 24 Jul 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3114

Abstract

The triple oxygen isotopes (¹⁶O, ¹⁷O, and ¹⁸O) are very useful in hydrological and climatological studies because of their sensitivity to environmental conditions. This review presents an overview of the published literature on the potential applications of ¹⁷O [...] Read more.

The triple oxygen isotopes (¹⁶O, ¹⁷O, and ¹⁸O) are very useful in hydrological and climatological studies because of their sensitivity to environmental conditions. This review presents an overview of the published literature on the potential applications of ¹⁷O in hydrological studies. Dual-inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometry and laser absorption spectroscopy have been used to measure ¹⁷O, which provides information on atmospheric conditions at the moisture source and isotopic fractionations during transport and deposition processes. The variations of δ¹⁷O from the developed global meteoric water line, with a slope of 0.528, indicate the importance of regional or local effects on the ¹⁷O distribution. In polar regions, factors such as the supersaturation effect, intrusion of stratospheric vapor, post-depositional processes (local moisture recycling through sublimation), regional circulation patterns, sea ice concentration and local meteorological conditions determine the distribution of ¹⁷O-excess. Numerous studies have used these isotopes to detect the changes in the moisture source, mixing of different water vapor, evaporative loss in dry regions, re-evaporation of rain drops during warm precipitation and convective storms in low and mid-latitude waters. Owing to the large variation of the spatial scale of hydrological processes with their extent (i.e., whether the processes are local or regional), more studies based on isotopic composition of surface and subsurface water, convective precipitation, and water vapor, are required. In particular, in situ measurements are important for accurate simulations of atmospheric hydrological cycles by isotope-enabled general circulation models. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Stable Isotope Analysis)

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