Leaf-wax n-alkanes record the plant-water environment at leaf flush.

ABSTRACT: Leaf-wax n-alkanes (2)H/(1)H ratios are widely used as a proxy in climate reconstruction. Although the broad nature of the relationship between n-alkanes δ(2)H values and climate is appreciated, the quantitative details of the proxy remain elusive. To examine these details under natural environmental conditions, we studied a riparian broadleaf angiosperm species, Populus angustifolia, growing on water with a constant δ(2)H value and monitored the δ(2)H values of leaf-wax n-alkanes and of stem, leaf, stream, and atmospheric waters throughout the entire growing season. Here we found the δ(2)H values of leaf-wax n-alkanes recorded only a 2-wk period during leaf flush and did not vary for the 19 weeks thereafter when leaves remained active. We found δ(2)H values of leaf-wax n-alkanes of P. ang

SUBMITTER: Tipple BJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3574905 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature