How to translate text using browser tools
29 August 2022 BULK CARBON ISOTOPIC VARIABILITY WITHIN LEAVES
Dana L. Royer, Michael T. Hren
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

The stable carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) of fossil leaves is a simple and common measurement that provides information about paleophysiology, paleoecology, and paleoclimate. Variance in δ13C is typically assessed across leaves; comparatively little is known about variance within leaves, a potential source of unquantified uncertainty. Here we systematically analyze the spatial patterns of bulk δ13C in fresh leaves of 10 tree species (two leaves per species; 21 or 22 analyses per leaf). We find that samples containing midvein tissue are markedly higher in δ13C than non-midvein tissue from the same leaf (median = +0.85‰), with samples containing only midvein tissue offset by as much as +3.01‰. The non-midvein samples are less variable—the typical range within a single leaf is <1‰—and do not show any consistent spatial patterns. In cases where whole fossil leaves cannot be analyzed, we recommend sampling as many randomized areas without major veins as is feasible.

Copyright © 2022, SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology)
Dana L. Royer and Michael T. Hren "BULK CARBON ISOTOPIC VARIABILITY WITHIN LEAVES," PALAIOS 37(8), 411-417, (29 August 2022). https://doi.org/10.2110/palo.2022.001
Received: 18 January 2022; Accepted: 1 June 2022; Published: 29 August 2022
JOURNAL ARTICLE
7 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top