Stable Isotope Techniques in the Study of Biological Processes and Functioning of Ecosystems

ISBN-13: 9789048157365 / Angielski / Miękka / 2010 / 293 str.

M.J. Unkovich;J.S. Pate;A. McNeill

Opis

This book has a very strong practical orientation, telling readers what methodologies are available using stable isotopes, how studies should be designed and executed to maximise effectiveness and incisiveness in terms of data obtained and outcomes in terms of understanding events and processes in plant and ecosystem functioning. The readership is very much aimed toward postgraduates with good knowledge of general biological principles and underlying chemical and physical processes. Pre-existing knowledge of or experience in application and assay of stable isotopes is not required. The stable isotope research field is one of the most rapidly growing areas of ecophysiology and techniques using stable isotopes comprise an ever increasing component of research programs of university postgraduates and a wide range of agencies conducting environmental monitoring and rehabilitation programs. The book is tailor-made for such an audience.

Spis treści

1. Fundamentals of Stable Isotope Chemistry and Measurement; T.E. Dawson, P.D. Brooks. 2. Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Plant Water-Use Efficiency: Case Scenarios for C3 Plants; J.S. Pate. 3. Extraction and Analysis of Plant Water for Deuterium Isotope Measurement and Application to Field Experiments; J.V. Turner, et al. 4. The Use of Stable Isotopes of Water for Determining Sources of Water for Plant Transpiration; G. Walker, et al. 5. What do delta15N Signatures tell Us about Nitrogen Relations in Natural Ecosystems? G. Stewart. 6. Assessing N2 Fixation in Annual Legumes using 15N Natural Abundance; M. Unkovich, J.S. Pate. 7. The Use of 15N to study Biological Nitrogen Fixation by Perennial Legumes; M.B. Peoples, et al. 8. Source/Sink Interactions in Crop Plants: Application of 13CO2 and Urea-15N Techniques in Quantitative Analysis; J.A. Palta. 9. Use of Enriched 15N Sources to study Soil N Transformations; I.R.P. Fillery, S. Recous. 10. Stable Isotope Techniques using Enriched 15N and 13C for Studies of Soil Organic Matter Accumulation and Decomposition in Agricultural Systems; A. McNeill. 11. Source Identification in Marine Ecosystems: Food Web Studies using delta13C and delta15N; A.J. Smit. 12. delta13C as an Indicator of Palaeoenvironments: A Molecular Approach; K. Grice. Index.