Stable carbon isotope ratios of rock varnish organic matter: A new paleoenvironmental indicator

Ronald I. Dorn, Michael J. DeNiro

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

Stable carbon isotope ratios of organic matter in rock varnishes of Holocene age from western North America and the Middle East show a strong association with the environment. This isotopic variability reflects the abundance of plants with different photosynthetic pathways in adjacent vegetation. Analyses of different layers of varnish on late Pleistocene desert landforms indicate that the carbon isotopic composition of varnish organic matter is a paleoenvironmental indicator.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1472-1474
Number of pages3
JournalScience
Volume227
Issue number4693
DOIs
StatePublished - 1985
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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