Isotope sample preparation of diatoms for paleoenvironmental research

Isotopes in diatoms are increasingly used in palaeoenvironmental studies in both lacustrine and marine settings, enabling the reconstruction of a range of variables including temperature, precipitation, salinity, glacial discharge, carbon dynamics and biogeochemical cycling. This protocol details an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPloS one Vol. 18; no. 2; p. e0281511
Main Authors Swann, George E A, Snelling, Andrea M
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Public Library of Science 17.02.2023
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Subjects
Analysis
Bacillariophyceae
Biogeochemical cycles
Biology and Life Sciences
Boron
Carbon
Carbon cycle
Carbon isotopes
Carbon Isotopes - analysis
Composition
Diatoms
Earth
Earth Sciences
Extraction (Chemistry)
Isotopes
Lab Protocol
Marine microorganisms
Mass spectrometry
Methods
Oxygen
Protocol
Purity
Reconstruction
Research and Analysis Methods
Salinity
Sample preparation
Scientific imaging
Sediment samplers
Sediments
Sediments (Geology)
Separation techniques
Silicon
Temperature
United Kingdom
United Kingdom > UK
Southern Ocean
Russia
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Summary:Isotopes in diatoms are increasingly used in palaeoenvironmental studies in both lacustrine and marine settings, enabling the reconstruction of a range of variables including temperature, precipitation, salinity, glacial discharge, carbon dynamics and biogeochemical cycling. This protocol details an optimised methodology for extracting diatoms for isotope analysis from sediment samples, using a range of chemical and density separation techniques that minimise sample loss and avoids the need for expensive equipment. Whilst designed for the extraction of diatoms for oxygen, silicon and carbon isotope analysis, additional stages are outlined for the analysis of other isotopes that are of increasing interest to the palaeo community (e.g., boron and zinc). The protocol also includes procedures for assessing sample purity, to ensure that analysed samples produce robust palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. Overall, the method aims to improve the quality of palaeoenvironmental research derived from isotopes in diatoms by maximising sample purity and the efficiency of the extraction process.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0281511