The use of biomarkers in combination with stable isotope analysis is a new approach in microbial ecology and a number of papers on a variety of subjects have appeared. We will first discuss the techniques for analysing stable isotopes in biomarkers, primarily gas chromatography-combustion-isotope ratio mass spectrometry, and then describe a number of applications in microbial ecology based on 1...

The most significant impact of a landfill on the surrounding environment has been consistently identified as arising from the leachate (Farquhar 1989; CAE 1992; Mulvey 1997). Therefore, environmental monitoring programmes for landfills tend to focus on the detection of leachate impacts, particularly any contamination of ground and surface water (Lee and Jones 1991; DCC 1994). Conventional monit...

For examining vitamins, exact quantitations in natural matrices are essential. Up to date, one of the most accurate quantitation methods is the stable isotope dilution assay (SIDA), which is based on the use of isotopically labelled analogues of the analytes as internal standards. The merits of SIDA include the ideal compensation for losses, superior specificity and enhanced sensitivity due to ...

The effect of temperature and salinity on the stable hydrogen isotopic composition of long chain alkenones produced by Emiliania huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa oceanica S. Schouten, J. Ossebaar, K. Schreiber, M. V. M. Kienhuis, G. Langer, and J. Bijma Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Biogeochemistry and Toxicology, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB, Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlan...

Water enriched with its natural isotopes plays an important role in research and technology. Heavy water (HDO, D2O) is used in nuclear technology and research and the increasing market demand is expected in future if nuclear fusion will be used for energy production. Water enriched in O is used in research and medicine in trace experiments, as is water enriched in O. Recently there appears to b...