Distributions of branched GDGTs in a tropical lake system: Implications for lacustrine application of the MBT/CBT paleoproxy

Jessica E. Tierney, James M. Russell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

241 Scopus citations

Abstract

Branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) lipids are abundant and ubiquitous in lake sediments, potentially allowing for a paleolimnological application of the so-called MBT/CBT proxy (methylation index of branched tetraethers/cyclization ratio of branched tetraethers). To investigate the origin and characteristics of these compounds in lacustrine environments, we examined the distributions of GDGTs in soils, river sediments and lake sediments from Lake Towuti on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. We found significant differences in the degree of methylation and cyclization (expressed by way of the MBT and CBT indices) between the soil samples and the aquatic samples, suggesting that there may be in situ production of GDGTs in the aquatic environment. Based on these findings, we urge caution in the application of the MBT/CBT paleoproxy to lake sediments and encourage more rigorous study of these compounds in freshwater environments.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1032-1036
Number of pages5
JournalOrganic Geochemistry
Volume40
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2009
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geochemistry and Petrology

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