The stability of DNA in human cerebellar neurons

Human tissues have carbon-isotope ratios (13C/12C) that reflect dietary ratios. This observation has been used to determine the extent of metabolic turnover of DNA in cells of the adult human cerebellum (90 percent of which are neuronal). If adult human neuronal DNA were metabolically stable, its 13C/12C would reflect that in the maternal diet during fetal development as nearly all neurons are formed during maturation of the fetal brain and do not undergo cell division thereafter. The 13C/12C ratios in the food chains and body tissues of Europeans differ from corresponding American ratios by about 50 parts per million on the average. Therefore, turnover was studied by comparing 13C/12C ratios in cerebellar DNA of American-born Americans, European-born Americans, and European-born Europeans. The 13C/12C ratios in cerebellar DNA from European-born Americans were closer to 13C/12C ratios in cerebellar DNA from European-born Europeans than from American-born Americans, indicating that there was little or no turnover of neuronal DNA.     

Oxygen isotope zoning in garnet

Oxygen isotope zoning was examined within garnet with the use of the stable isotope laser probe. Four metamorphic garnets from the regional metamorphic terrane in Vermont and the skarn deposit at Carr Fork, Utah, were examined and were found to be concentrically zoned in delta(18)O values. The largest variations in delta(18)O values were observed in the regional metamorphic garnets, where delta(18)O values change by 3 per mil from core to rim. These oxygen isotope zoning profiles reflect the changes in the delta(18)O values of the rocks during garnet growth, which are caused by infiltration of fluids and by dehydration reactions during metamorphism.     

Constraints on transport and kinetics in hydrothermal systems from zoned garnet crystals

Zonation of oxygen isotope ratios, fluorine, and rare earth element abundances across garnet crystals from the Permian Oslo Rift reflect temporal variation of the hydrothermal system in which the garnets grew. A sharp rimward decrease in the (18)O/(16)O ratio (of 5 per mil) across the interface between aluminum-rich garnet cores and iron-rich rims indicates influx of meteoric fluids to a system initially dominated by magmatic fluids. This influx may record the transition from ductile to brittle deformation of the hydrothermally altered rocks. In contrast, fluorine and light rare earth element concentrations increase at the core-rim interface. These data may reflect enhanced advective transport and notable kinetic control on trace element uptake by the garnets during brittle deformation.     

Xylem-tapping mistletoes: water or nutrient parasites?

Most mistletoes parasitize higher plants by tapping the xylem (a conduction tissue) of their hosts. Field observations of diurnal gas exchange parameters and carbon isotope ratios in xylem-tapping mistletoes from three continents support the hypotheses that water use efficiency and carbon isotope composition are related and that mistletoes which are parasitic for water are also nutrient parasites, differing in their water use efficiency relative to that of their hosts on the basis of host nitrogen supply in the transpiration stream.     

Recharge in Volcanic Systems: Evidence from Isotope Profiles of Phenocrysts

Strontium isotope ratios measured from core to rim across plagioclase feldspar crystals can be used to monitor changes in the isotope composition of the magma from which they grew. In samples from three magma systems from convergent margin volcanoes, sudden changes in major element composition, petrographic features, and strontium isotope composition were found to correspond to discrete magmatic events, most likely repeated recharge of more mafic magma with lower ratios of strontium-87 to strontium-86 into a crustally contaminated magma.     

稳定性氮同位素技术研究太湖梅梁湾区域营养盐差异

稳定同位素技术通常用于指示外源输入对环境的影响,采用该技术分析了太湖北部不同湖区悬浮颗粒有机物和浮游动物的碳氮稳定同位素比值的差异。结果表明,不同粒径的悬浮颗粒有机物和浮游动物稳定同位素比值存在显著的季节变化,夏季普遍高于冬季,其中δ13C高3.19‰~7.21‰,δ15N高4.20‰~9.36‰。各有机物δ13C不能有效区分各湖区的环境差异,而δ15N在各湖区存在显著差异。δ15N聚类分析显示,河口区由于受外源输入的影响,其δ15N显著低于其他湖区,单独聚为一类,而交汇处和湖心区影响较小,同河口区存在显著差异。整体来讲,总颗粒有机物和浮游动物δ15N同水体TP浓度呈显著正相关,同总溶解性无机氮浓度、铵根离子浓度呈显著负相关。可见,太湖北部悬浮颗粒有机物和浮游动物δ15N受环境营养盐差异的影响强烈,悬浮颗粒有机物δ15N可以作为指示湖区区域差异的有效指标。     

The 18O/16O Ratio of 2-Billion-Year-Old Seawater Inferred from Ancient Oceanic Crust

An oxygen isotope profile of the 2-billion-year-old Purtuniq ophiolite overlaps with similar profiles of younger ophiolites and the modern oceanic crust. This overlap implies (i) that there was a similar style of seawater-ocean crust interaction during the past 2 billion years; (ii) that the oxygen isotope composition of early Proterozoic seawater was similar to the modern value; (iii) that early Proterozoic sea-floor spreading rates were similar to, or greater than, average modern rates; and (iv) that early Proterozoic carbonate rocks and cherts with low (18)O/(16)O ratios do not reflect global-scale (18)O depletion of early Proterozoic oceans.     

Isotopic evidence for massive oxidation of organic matter following the great oxidation event

The stable isotope record of marine carbon indicates that the Proterozoic Eon began and ended with extreme fluctuations in the carbon cycle. In both the Paleoproterozoic [2500 to 1600 million years ago (Ma)] and Neoproterozoic (1000 to 542 Ma), extended intervals of anomalously high carbon isotope ratios (δ(13)C) indicate high rates of organic matter burial and release of oxygen to the atmosphere; in the Neoproterozoic, the high δ(13)C interval was punctuated by abrupt swings to low δ(13)C, indicating massive oxidation of organic matter. We report a Paleoproterozoic negative δ(13)C excursion that is similar in magnitude and apparent duration to the Neoproterozoic anomaly. This Shunga-Francevillian anomaly may reflect intense oxidative weathering of rocks as the result of the initial establishment of an oxygen-rich atmosphere.     

Secular variation of iron isotopes in north atlantic deep water

A high-precision iron isotope time series for a ferromanganese crust demonstrates that the iron isotope composition in North Atlantic Deep Water has changed substantially over the past 6 million years and that iron isotope variations in the crust are closely correlated to those of lead isotopes. The close correlation between the two isotope series indicates that the observed iron isotope variations predominantly reflect those of iron input from terrigenous sources and provides no evidence for biologically induced mass fractionation within North Atlantic Deep Water.     

饲料中C3植物含量对牛组织中稳定同位素碳、氮组成的影向

研究了饲料中C3植物含量不同时对牛不同组织中稳定性同位素碳、氮组成的影响。18头12~14月龄的青年牛随机分为6组,分别饲喂C3植物含量为50.0%、60.0%、70.0%、80.0%、90.0%、100.0%的饲料,132 d后屠宰。利用同位素比值质谱仪测定了牛尾毛、脱脂牛肉、粗脂肪、各种饲料的δ13C和δ15N值。结果表明,牛组织中碳同位素主要受饲料的影响,牛尾毛、脱脂肌肉、粗脂肪中的δ13C值随着C3植物含量在牛饲料中的比例增大而降低,并且均与C3植物含量呈极显著的负相关关系,用牛组织中的δ13C值可以预测饲料中C3植物所占的比例。牛组织中的氮同位素一定程度上受饲料因素的影响,但未随C3植物含量呈现规律性变化。牛不同组织中δ13C和δ15N与饲料之间的富集或贫化比例与其他报道并不一致。     

Evolution of the ratio of strontium-87 to strontium-86 in seawater from cretaceous to present

A detailed record of the strontium-87 to strontium-86 ratio in seawater during the last 100 million years was determined by measuring this ratio in 137 well-preserved and well-dated fossil foraminifera samples. Sample preservation was evaluated from scanning electron microscopy studies, measured strontium-calcium ratios, and pore water strontium isotope ratios. The evolution of the strontium isotopic ratio in seawater offers a means to evaluate long-term changes in the global strontium isotope mass balance. Results show that the marine strontium isotope composition can be used for correlating and dating well-preserved authigenic marine sediments throughout much of the Cenozoic to a precision of +/-1 million years. The strontium-87 to strontium-86 ratio in seawater increased sharply across the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary, but this feature is not readily explained as strontium input from a bolide impact on land.     

Novel endotheliotropic herpesviruses fatal for Asian and African elephants

A highly fatal hemorrhagic disease has been identified in 10 young Asian and African elephants at North American zoos. In the affected animals there was ultrastructural evidence for herpesvirus-like particles in endothelial cells of the heart, liver, and tongue. Consensus primer polymerase chain reaction combined with sequencing yielded molecular evidence that confirmed the presence of two novel but related herpesviruses associated with the disease, one in Asian elephants and another in African elephants. Otherwise healthy African elephants with external herpetic lesions yielded herpesvirus sequences identical to that found in Asian elephants with endothelial disease. This finding suggests that the Asian elephant deaths were caused by cross-species infection with a herpesvirus that is naturally latent in, but normally not lethal to, African elephants. A reciprocal relationship may exist for the African elephant disease.     

Primitive boron isotope composition of the mantle

Boron isotope ratios are homogeneous in volcanic glasses of oceanic island basalts [-9.9 +/- 1.3 per mil, relative to standard NBS 951 (defined by the National Bureau of Standards)], whereas mid-oceanic ridge basalts (MORBs) and back-arc basin basalts (BABBs) show generally higher and more variable ratios. Melts that have assimilated even small amounts of altered basaltic crust show significant variations in the boron isotope ratios. Assimilation may thus account for the higher boron ratios of MORBs and BABBs. A budget of boron between mantle and crust implies that the primitive mantle had a boron isotope ratio of -10 +/- 2 per mil and that this ratio was not fractionated significantly during the differentiation of the mantle.     

Natural iron isotope variations in human blood

Isotopic analysis of human blood and liver and muscle tissue indicates that each individual bears a long-term iron (Fe) isotope signature in the blood. Blood and tissue differ slightly in isotopic composition and are depleted by up to 2.6 per mil in 56Fe relative to 54Fe when compared to dietary Fe. The 56Fe/54Fe isotope ratio in the blood of males is, on average, lower by 0.3 per mil than that of females. These results suggest that Fe isotope effects in the blood reflect differences in intestinal Fe absorption between individuals and genotypes.     

Abiotic pyrite formation produces a large Fe isotope fractionation

The iron isotope composition of sedimentary pyrite has been proposed as a potential proxy to trace microbial metabolism and the redox evolution of the oceans. We demonstrate that Fe isotope fractionation accompanies abiotic pyrite formation in the absence of Fe(II) redox change. Combined fractionation factors between Fe(II)(aq), mackinawite, and pyrite permit the generation of pyrite with Fe isotope signatures that nearly encapsulate the full range of sedimentary δ(56)Fe(pyrite) recorded in Archean to modern sediments. We propose that Archean negative Fe isotope excursions reflect partial Fe(II)(aq) utilization during abiotic pyrite formation rather than microbial dissimilatory Fe(III) reduction. Late Proterozoic to modern sediments may reflect greater Fe(II)(aq) utilization and variations in source composition.     

Oxygen isotope ratios in trees reflect mean annual temperature and humidity

Values of the oxygen isotope ratios (delta(18)O) in tree-ring cellulose closely reflect the delta(18)O values in atmospheric precipitation and hence mean annual temperature. The change in delta(18)O in cellulose is 0.41 per mil per degree Celsius for selected near-coastal stations. The values of delta(18)O in precipitation and cellulose also change with altitude, as demonstrated for Mount Rainier, Washington. A temperature lapse rate of 5.2 degrees +/- 0.5 degrees C per 1000 meters calculated from cellulose delta(18)O values agrees with the accepted mean annual lapse rate of 5 degrees C per 1000 meters for this region. Cellulose delta(18)O values and delta(18)O values of carbon dioxide equilibrated with leaf water differ by a fixed 16 per mil.     

Temperature measurements from oxygen isotope ratios of fish otoliths

Measurements have shown that the temperature of a fish's habitat can be deduced from the Oxygen isotope ratio of its otoliths (ear bones). Isotope ratios Obtained from fossil otoliths indicate a water temperature which agrees wiht that found by isotope measurements on associated benthonic foraminifera.     

稳定同位素技术在林产品产地溯源和掺假鉴别中的应用研究进展

稳定同位素技术能够有效应用于林产品的产地溯源和掺假鉴别。利用碳、氢、氧、氮同位素技术,结合线性判别-主成分分析,能够较好地追溯中华猕猴桃Actinidia chinensis,樱桃Cerasus pseudocerasus,橄榄Canarium album油等林产品的产地;采用单一的同位素比例质谱,或者结合高效液相色谱、气相色谱,能够鉴别果汁饮料、保健品、香精香料的掺假;利用氮同位素能认证有机产品。基于国内外学者在林产品溯源、鉴别、有机产品认证等方面的研究工作,总结了稳定同位素技术的基本原理及其在林产品产地溯源和掺假鉴别中的应用研究进展,以期推动稳定同位素技术的更广泛应用,及完善中国林产品的检测技术并构建产品溯源体系。     

Uptake of Dissolved Sulfide by Spartina alterniflora: Evidence from Natural Sulfur Isotope Abundance Ratios

The difference in the stable sulfur isotope ratios of sulfate and sulfide in marsh pore water was used to verify the uptake of hydrogen sulfide by the salt marsh cordgrass Spartina alterniflora in a North Carolina salt marsh. Most of the plant sulfur derived from pore-water sulfide was recovered as sulfate, an indication that the sulfide had been oxidized within the plant. The analysis of the sulfur isotope ratios of other coastal halophytes may be a useful technique for determining whether sulfide is taken up by plants in saline wetlands.     

Hydrothermal Vent Clam and Tube Worm 13C/12C: Further Evidence of Nonphotosynthetic Food Sources

The stable carbon isotope ratios in clam mantle tissues taken from both Galápagos and 21 degrees N hydrothermal vent sites were similar to the unusually low ratios of carbon-13 to carbon-12 previously reported for a Galápagos hydrothermal vent mussel. In marked contrast to these bivalves, vestimentiferan worm tissues from a Galápagos vent had isotope ratios that were higher than those of open ocean biota. These observations suggest that more than one nonpelagic and nonphotosynthetic carbon fixation pathway is of nutritional importance to vent animals, and that at least one of these pathways is common to two geographically separated vent sites.