Compound-specific stable hydrogen isotope (δ² H) analyses of fatty acids: A new method and perspectives for trophic and movement ecology.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) is a powerful tool for a better understanding of trophic transfer of dietary molecules in and across ecosystems. Hydrogen isotope values (δ² H) in consumer tissues have potential to more clearly distinguish dietary sources than ¹³ C or ¹⁵ N values within and among habitats, but have not been used at the fatty acid level for ecological purposes.

Methods

Here we demonstrate a new online high-capacity gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry technique (² H-CSIA) that offers accurate and reproducible determination of δ² H values for a range of fatty acids from organisms of aquatic food webs.

Results

We show that lipid extracts obtained from aquatic s

SUBMITTER: Pilecky M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11478936 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature