Compound specific δD values of long chain n-alkanes derived from terrestrial higher plants are indicative of the δD of meteoric waters: Evidence from surface soils in eastern China

The stable carbon and hydrogen isotope composition of higher plant-derived long chain n-alkanes (δ13Cn-alkanes and δDn-alkanes) from 45 surface soil samples (within well characterized vegetation zones) from eastern China (18°N–50°N) are reported. The weighted average δDn-alkanes value for n-C27, n-C29 and n-C31 in the samples and the annual average δD of meteoric water recorded at 12 weather stations proximal to the sampling sites show similar spatial variations. The δD of n-alkanes shows a gradual depletion in value with increasing latitude. The results demonstrate that, on a large spatial scale, the δD values of long chain n-alkanes derived from higher plants have the potential to record the δD of meteoric water, although many other factors can also influence the isotope values. There appears to be no apparent relationship between the δD of the n-alkanes extracted from the surface soil and the overlying vegetation type (i.e. forest/grassland or C3/C4 composition). Therefore, palaeoenvironmental studies utilizing δDn-alkanes from higher plant-derived material in geological samples have the potential to provide additional information with regard to the past hydrological cycle.