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The southeast edge of the Loess Plateau (SELP) is a crucial area for studying subsistence strategies and social complexity in prehistoric China. Currently, no systematic isotopic study has been conducted to reveal shifts in subsistence strategies and their link to the trajectory of social complexity. This paper compiles previously published isotopic data from human and fauna bones at 24 sites dating from 8000 to 5000 BP, aiming to uncover diachronic changes in subsistence strategies and their relationship with social complexity. The results indicate a gradual increase in millet consumption by humans and an increasing utilization of millet‐based byproducts as feed for domestic animals (pigs and dogs) over time. The isotopic data of humans and animals demonstrate the establishment of millet agriculture during the Early Yangshao period (7000–6000 BP). Millet agriculture creates a crucial material foundation for population growth and cultural prosperity. Two modes of millet cultivation, intensive and extensive, are proposed to explain the continuous development of millet agriculture since the Early Yangshao period. Finally, significant dietary heterogeneity among the human population during the Late Yangshao period strongly suggests the emergence of social differentiation and complexity, supported by other archaeological evidence such as settlement hierarchies and the presence of exquisite objects in burials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recovery and identification of heavily burnt and fragmented skeletal remains pose significant challenges in fire and arson investigations. The ability to identify individuals is crucial in such cases, prompting extensive research into various techniques to aid in the identification process, including isotopic analysis. Although direct personal identification is not achievable through isotopic analysis of skeletal remains, it serves as a valuable tool for obtaining chemical elements of the biological profile. Strontium (Sr), oxygen (O), and carbon (C) isotope analyses have been widely used in archeological contexts but are relatively new approaches in the medicolegal domain. Oxygen isotope analysis, for instance, offers insights into the burning temperature, while strontium isotope analysis provides valuable information for tracing the individual's movement across geologically distinct landscapes. Consequently, the investigation of the impact of heat on the biogenic isotope composition of human bones in forensic contexts has gained significant attention. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the key archeological and forensic questions addressed by Sr–O–C isotope analysis of burnt skeletal remains. By examining the current state of the art and prospects, we aim to contribute to a broader understanding and potential advancements in the field of forensic isotope research. This article is categorized under:Forensic Biology > Interpretation of Biological EvidenceForensic Anthropology > Trauma Analysis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multidisciplinary approach in the investigation of unidentified decedents employs the use of a variety of scientific approaches. This approach is applied in casework in North Carolina, USA and has led to successful identifications using anthropological analysis and population affinity estimation using 3D-ID, investigative genetic geneaology (IGG), and isotopic analyses. Results from one scientific approach can help to inform the others, providing more information about the decedent, and thus enhancing the investigation. This case report outlines three cases from North Carolina that combine each of these scientific approaches and serve as examples of collaboration in a multidisciplinary approach. Key points Anthropological analyses including population affinity using 3D-ID can be used in conjunction with isotopic analyses in estimating geographic origin. Results from anthropological and isotopic analyses can help to narrow down or direct IGG. Multidisciplinary collaboration in the investigation of unidentified decedents enhances the investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cremation graves appear in different forms and shapes, from urns to simple pits and from single to plural graves. The challenging nature of highly fragmented cremated human remains renders the identification of multiple individuals within the same cremation grave rather complex. Osteological analyses alone are often insufficient to detect the presence of bone fragments from different individuals as they are small and diagnostic elements are often missing, although, detection of nonadult bone fragments within adult bone assemblages (or the other way around) points to the presence of at least two individuals—one adult and one nonadult—within the same grave. The combination of osteological analyses, radiocarbon dating, and strontium isotope ratios has proven to be particularly powerful. At different Belgian Metal Age sites, this novel multi-disciplinary approach enabled to identify the presence of bone fragments belonging to up to three different individuals within the same cremation grave who were cremated up to several centuries apart. Whether the presence of these two or three individuals in the same grave is intentional (e.g. curation) or not requires more in-depth analyses. This study shows the high level of complexity of cremation burial (intentionally or not) and shows the necessity to carry out all analytical measurements (i.e. radiocarbon dating, infrared, elemental and isotope analyses) on the same bone fragment to ensure the results are related to the same individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between c. 300 BC and AD 350, the Meroitic kingdom dominated the Middle Nile Valley; following its breakdown, it was replaced by a series of smaller successor polities. Explanation for this change centres on socio-political and economic instability. Here, the authors investigate the role of climate and environment using stable carbon and oxygen isotope analyses of human and faunal dental enamel from 13 cemeteries. The results show increasing [delta][sup.18]O values towards the end of the Meroitic kingdom and in the postMeroitic period, combined with less negative [delta][sup.13]C values. These trends suggest a shift towards more arid conditions associated with changes in agricultural practices and land use that may have contributed to the kingdom's dissolution. Keywords: Sudan, Upper Nubia, Meroitic kingdom, isotope analysis, climate change, collapse, Introduction Kush was one of several early states that formed along the Middle Nile, flourishing for centuries until its fall towards the end of the Meroitic period (c. 300 BC-AD [...]

The expansion of the early Islamic state (c. AD 700-900) was underpinned by the minting of silver coins (dirhams) on an enormous scale. While the wider effects of this coinage have been studied extensively, the sources of silver have attracted less attention and research has relied on literary texts pointing to mines in Arabia and Central Asia. Here, the authors use lead isotope and trace element analyses of more than 100 precisely dated silver coins to provide a geochemical perspective on Islamic silver. The results identify multiple new sources, stretching from Morocco to the Tien Shen, and indicate an Abbasid-period mining boom. These source locations have implications for contemporary geopolitics including on the Islamic-Byzantine frontier. Keywords: North Africa, Iran, south-west and Central Asia, Islamic caliphate, coinage, silver mines, lead isotope analysis, Introduction The expansion of the Islamic Caliphate to become one of the most powerful early-medieval polities was underpinned by vast reserves of silver coin--dirhams-- produced in their millions across a [...]

Today, the importance of modern science and technology, especially the use of environmental isotopes in various studies, including hydrology and geohydrology, is obvious for anyone. Given the quantitative and qualitative crisis status of groundwater resources in Iran, having accurate isotopic data on the quantitative and qualitative status of water resources can lead to good planning and, consequently, proper management of water resources. Due to the lack of sufficient studies on the environmental isotopes in Iran, which, of course, is due to the lack of technologies, high costs of sample transfer to overseas and sanctions, while reviewing the sampling of Groundwater resources, sample preparation methods for stable isotopes of ²H, 18O, 34S, and 13C, and the standards for each isotope; related devices such as Gasbench+ DeltaPlusXP, Elemental Analyzer-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (EA-IRMS), and Total Inorganic Carbon-Total Organic Carbon (TIC-TOC), as well as measurement methods are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper (Cu) is a bio-essential element and a potentially toxic pollutant in the plant–soil systems. Analysis of stable Cu isotopes can be a powerful tool for tracing the biogeochemical cycling of Cu in plant–soil systems. In this review, we examined the analysis method of stable Cu isotope ratios in plants and soils, and discussed the biogeochemical processes, including redox reactions, mineral dissolution, abiotic and biotic sorption, which fractionate Cu isotopes in plant–soil systems. We also reviewed the variability of the isotopic signature in different plants and plant tissues, as well as different soil types and profiles to discuss the relationship between the biogeochemical transformation of Cu and its isotope fractionation in plant–soil systems. The collected data show that δ65Cu values range from − 2.59 to + 1.73‰ in plant–soil systems, and ∆65Cu values range from − 1.00 to − 0.11‰ between the plant and soil. The variation in the ∆65Cu value between the plant and soil is mainly in response to the different uptake strategies during the acquisition of Cu from soils. Cu isotope analyses are proved to be a suitable technique during the biogeochemical transformation of Cu in plant–soil systems, especially during redox reactions. Ultimately, research challenges and future directions for Cu isotope techniques as a proxy for Cu biogeochemical cycles are also proposed. This review is beneficial for soil safety, food safety, and the sustainable development of agriculture and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medieval period in Sicily was turbulent, involving successive regime changes, from Byzantine (Greek Christian), Aghlabid (Sunni Muslim), Fatimid (Shīʿa Muslim), to Normans and Swabians (Latin Christian). To shed new light on the local implications of regime changes, we conducted a multidisciplinary analysis of 27 individuals buried in adjacent Muslim and Christian cemeteries at the site of Segesta, western Sicily. By combining radiocarbon dating, genome-wide sequencing, stable and radiogenic isotopic data, and archaeological records, we uncover genetic differences between the two communities but find evidence of continuity in other aspects of life. Historical and archaeological evidence shows a Muslim community was present by the 12th century during Norman governance, with the Christian settlement appearing in the 13th century under Swabian governance. A Bayesian analysis of radiocarbon dates from the burials finds the abandonment of the Muslim cemetery likely occurred after the establishment of the Christian cemetery, indicating that individuals of both faiths were present in the area in the first half of the 13th century. The biomolecular results suggest the Christians remained genetically distinct from the Muslim community at Segesta while following a substantially similar diet. This study demonstrates that medieval regime changes had major impacts beyond the political core, leading to demographic changes while economic systems persisted and new social relationships emerged.

Strontium isotopes are used for provenience and mobility studies in archaeology, ecology, and forensic studies, and rely on accurate baseline maps that are used to compare and interpret human and animal strontium ratios. Here, we present a bioavailable 87Sr/86Sr map, also called an isoscape, for southern British Columbia derived from modern plant samples’ 87Sr/86Sr ratios. We sampled 67 medium root depth plants over a 900 km transect from the southern BC coast to inland BC to capture the natural 87Sr/86Sr ratios of plants along the four major geological belts in British Columbia. Non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis and pairwise Wilcox tests were used to examine whether the geological belts had statistically significant mean differences. It was found that the province could be effectively divided into east and west, with the Coastal–Intermontane and Omineca–Foreland regions having statistically different means from each other. 87Sr/86Sr ratios had statistically significant relationships with salt deposition, volcanic deposition, and mean age of the underlying lithology. Generally, 87Sr/86Sr ratios increased with distance from the coast as the atmospheric input of radiogenic strontium from marine-derived rainwater decreased and the input of radiogenic strontium isotopes from the underlying geology of the Rockies in the far east of the province increased.

Simple Summary: Climate change in the high latitudes may endanger cold-water fish that have adapted to the low water temperatures and long winters. Northern oligotrophic lakes, with their naturally sparse food basis for fish, may be especially vulnerable to climate change. However, many aspects of northern fish food ecology have received little attention. We evaluated the dietary habits, trophic positions, and food web interactions of the European vendace, which is regarded as one of the most vulnerable commercial fishes due to modern environmental changes. Using two analyses, fish stomach content and stable isotopes (carbon and nitrogen), we tracked the flow of nutrients through the food web of an example lake (at the White Sea basin) and determined the vendace's main food sources. In spite of clear seasonal differences in the food preferences of vendace, we determined planktonic copepods to be its key energy (carbon) source. The vendace has also adapted to consume its own embryos during the winter, increasing its trophic position in the lake food web. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the vendace's feeding habits, its ability to adapt to low-trophic supplies, and the effects of environmental change. The seasonal feeding patterns of the cold-adapted fish, Coregonus albula, are poorly studied in high-latitude lakes but could provide insight for predicting the effects of global warming. We examined vendace's diet composition, traced the carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios from producers to consumers in the food web, and estimated vendace's trophic position in a subarctic lake (the White Sea basin). Results showed the vendace to be a typical euryphagous fish, but clear seasonal differences were found in the relative importance of plankton and benthos in the diet. The vendace consumed primarily benthic amphipods in the summer, planktonic cladocerans in the autumn, and copepods in the winter–spring (under ice); larvae of aquatic insects were the second-most important food items throughout the year. Because of the substantial proportion of fish embryos in its diet, the vendace had a trophic position similar to that of a predatory fish (perch). The Bayesian food source-mixing model revealed that the majority of vendace energy derives from planktonic copepods. The dominant Cyclops had the lowest carbon isotope values, suggesting a carbon-depleted diet typical for methanotrophic bacteria, as its probable food source was in a lake under ice. Understanding the feeding patterns of vendace provides information to better predict the potential biotic effects of environmental change on lake ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: There are few bioarcheological analyses of life experiences in colonial period Aotearoa New Zealand, despite this being a time of major adaptation and social change. In our study, early life histories are constructed from multi‐isotope and enamel peptide analysis of permanent first molars associated with Victorian era dental practices operating between AD 1881 and 1905 in Invercargill. Chemical analyses of the teeth provide insight into the childhood feeding practices, diet, and mobility of the people who had their teeth extracted. Materials and Methods: Four permanent left mandibular first molars were analyzed from a cache of teeth discovered at the Leviathan Gift Depot site during excavations in 2019. The methods used were: (1) enamel peptide analysis to assess chromosomal sex; (2) bulk (δ13Ccarbonate) and incremental (δ13Ccollagen and δ15N) isotope analysis of dentin to assess childhood diet; and (3) strontium (87Sr/86Sr) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope analysis of enamel to assess childhood residency. Two modern permanent first molars from known individuals were analyzed as controls. Results: The archaeological teeth were from three chromosomal males and one female. The protein and whole diets were predominately based on C3‐plants and domestic animal products (meat and milk). A breastfeeding signal was only identified in one historic male. All individuals likely had childhood residences in Aotearoa. Discussion: Unlike most bioarcheological studies that rely on the remains of the dead, the teeth analysed in this study were extracted from living people. We suggest that the dental patients were likely second or third generation colonists to Aotearoa, with fairly similar childhood diets. They were potentially lower‐class individuals either living in, or passing through, the growing colonial center of Invercargill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work deals with two stories from the Chotěbuz-Podobora castle, namely the story of a greyhound from the Great Moravian period and a man from the Hallstatt period. On the basis of naturalistic analyses, it was possible to follow both their life stories from birth to death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia nitrogen contamination in groundwater along the Yangtze River in Anhui Province has become increasingly serious. However, the cause of the excessive ammonia nitrogen is not clear, especially the scan data concerning its source. Taking the QY10A monitoring well as an example, the source of ammonia nitrogen was studied using pollutant tracing, water quality detection, leaching tests, and nitrogen isotope analysis. No sources of high concentrations of ammonia nitrogen were identified in the study area. There was no evidence of a close hydraulic relationship between groundwater with high ammonia nitrogen and surface water. Silty clay and the lower gray-black silty clay were the main locations of ammonia nitrogen. Nitrate 8"N and 8"O of groundwater with high ammonia nitrogen originated from NH, in the soil. The findings indicate that the excessive ammonia nitrogen in the QY10A monitoring well was caused by the high content of the primary geological environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Climate change is increasingly impacting agriculture all over the world, with extended periods of drought, flooding, hail, winds and temperature extremes. To negate the effects of climate change, researchers are trying to find new agricultural production techniques, to save resources without losing yield quality and quantity. A study on Capsicum annuum L. 'Chili-AS Rot' and Capsicum chinense Jacq. 'Naga Morich' chilies, grown under field capacity, deficit irrigation (50% field capacity) and full and half dose of mineral fertilizer in peat soil substrate was conducted. Both cultivars were marked with the stable isotope 15N, to follow nitrogen translocation in chili plants under stress conditions. Results The yield and plant biomass, capsaicin synthase (CS), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), and peroxidase (POX), as well as total and individual capsaicinoids were studied. In 'Chili-AS Rot' the deficit irrigation with the full-fertilization (Diff) dose showed the highest yield and fruit number, compared to other treatments. In the 'Naga Morich' cultivar the deficit irrigation and half-fertilization (Dihf), showed the highest yield, fruit number and dry weight of chilies, compared to other treatments. In the cultivar 'Chili-AS Rot', deficit irrigation was found to reduce the utilization of N fertilizer when the plant (leaves, stems, and roots) and fruit were considered. The utilization of nitrogen fertilizer was 60 to 70% under deficit fertilization, regardless of the irrigation treatment. The half dose fertilized plants of 'Chili-AS Rot' had higher CS activity and PAL activity (from 50 to 80%) than fully fertilized plants, with deficit irrigation having about 10% higher enzymatic activity than field-capacity irrigated plants. In 'Naga Morich', irrigation treatment affected lower enzymatic activity than field-capacity irrigated plants. Conclusions The results indicate that deficit irrigation and fertilization can be used to maintain enzymatic activity and thus capsaicinoid content, which could reduce the economic cost of irrigation water and fertilizer. It was confirmed that the yield was better under deficit irrigation and fertilization for the more pungent 'Naga Morich'. The result of the study shows that when water and fertilizer use is reduced by up to 50%, chili yield losses are minimal or non-existent. Graphical Abstract

AbstractArchaeological research in the Caribbean has been extensive and has revealed that, since its first settlement, the region has been characterized by continuous interaction between its inhabitants. However, there are certain areas, like the islands of the southern Caribbean (islands off the Venezuelan coast), that are understudied, despite being a source of information regarding connections with the South American mainland. The aim of this research is to investigate the lifeways of eight individuals from the island of Bonaire through isotopic data to identify non-locals, and to examine dietary patterns within the site. In order to establish the residential histories of the eight individuals, strontium (87Sr/86Sr) and oxygen (δ18Ο) isotopes from the dental enamel were analyzed. The results were evaluated based on existing isotopic baselines and indicate that all eight individuals can be considered isotopically local. In order to investigate patterns of paleodiet, carbon isotopes from the dental enamel (δ13Cen) and carbon (δ13Ccol) and nitrogen isotopes (δ15Ncol) from the dental dentin were also analyzed. Four out of the eight individuals provided results and interestingly, despite the small sample size, they had variable dietary preferences, suggesting a combination of different plants and animal resources were consumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water supply from headwater streams in mountainous regions is considered an important source for sustaining both water quality and quantity in lowland areas. The Korean terrain is characterized by mountainous regions, the hydrological environment is significantly impacted by seasonal weather conditions. This study focused on investigating the hydrochemistry and isotopic composition of groundwater and surface water to identify hydrological connectivity within a mountainous watershed area in Daejeon, Korea. The estimated recharge rate using water budget methods suggests that approximately 20% of the total precipitation contributes to groundwater recharge in this site. The δ18O–δ2H values of the water samples indicate a meteoric water source for groundwater recharge, while the isotope composition of surface water reveals altitude effects, implying that groundwater recharges at a higher altitude region. Additionally, water revealed altitude effects suggesting that the groundwater was inferred to recharge at a higher altitude region. The hydrochemical conservative components (87Sr/86Sr ratio and Cl−) indicate that this watershed undergoes temporary similar water–rock interactions along its flow path, but it is also impacted by anthropogenic contaminants from the surrounding public area. The results of the three-component endmember mixing analysis demonstrate that groundwater is predominantly influenced by surface water, indicating a close interrelationship among various water bodies in mountain hydrology. These findings provide a comprehensive approach to water resource management by combining recharge rate estimation and the assessment of water body connectivity using natural tracers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Climate change is increasingly impacting agriculture all over the world, with extended periods of drought, flooding, hail, winds and temperature extremes. To negate the effects of climate change, researchers are trying to find new agricultural production techniques, to save resources without losing yield quality and quantity. A study on Capsicum annuum L. 'Chili-AS Rot' and Capsicum chinense Jacq. 'Naga Morich' chilies, grown under field capacity, deficit irrigation (50% field capacity) and full and half dose of mineral fertilizer in peat soil substrate was conducted. Both cultivars were marked with the stable isotope 15N, to follow nitrogen translocation in chili plants under stress conditions. Results: The yield and plant biomass, capsaicin synthase (CS), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), and peroxidase (POX), as well as total and individual capsaicinoids were studied. In 'Chili-AS Rot' the deficit irrigation with the full-fertilization (Diff) dose showed the highest yield and fruit number, compared to other treatments. In the 'Naga Morich' cultivar the deficit irrigation and half-fertilization (Dihf), showed the highest yield, fruit number and dry weight of chilies, compared to other treatments. In the cultivar 'Chili-AS Rot', deficit irrigation was found to reduce the utilization of N fertilizer when the plant (leaves, stems, and roots) and fruit were considered. The utilization of nitrogen fertilizer was 60 to 70% under deficit fertilization, regardless of the irrigation treatment. The half dose fertilized plants of 'Chili-AS Rot' had higher CS activity and PAL activity (from 50 to 80%) than fully fertilized plants, with deficit irrigation having about 10% higher enzymatic activity than field-capacity irrigated plants. In 'Naga Morich', irrigation treatment affected lower enzymatic activity than field-capacity irrigated plants. Conclusions: The results indicate that deficit irrigation and fertilization can be used to maintain enzymatic activity and thus capsaicinoid content, which could reduce the economic cost of irrigation water and fertilizer. It was confirmed that the yield was better under deficit irrigation and fertilization for the more pungent 'Naga Morich'. The result of the study shows that when water and fertilizer use is reduced by up to 50%, chili yield losses are minimal or non-existent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colombia faces the complex humanitarian challenges of locating approximately 100,000 missing persons and identifying thousands who are deceased. Identification is a difficult task in many cases, because the skeletonized bodies are deteriorated, missing person data are unavailable for comparison, and the provenance of the remains is often totally unknown. Isotopic analysis of human tissues (e.g., bone, hair, nails, and teeth) aid in the identification process of unknown individuals because they can provide valuable information on possible geographic origin. This project evaluated the isotopic variability of carbon (C), oxygen (O), strontium (Sr), and lead (Pb) in modern Colombian teeth according to city, department (a political designation similar to "state" in the US or Mexico), and one of four geographically determined regions of origin; and assessed its utility for human identification in Colombia. Isotopic data (O‐C‐Sr‐Pb) were analyzed from modern Colombians originating from the cities of Bogotá, Cali, and Neiva (n = 95); and these data were compiled with published Colombian data of individuals mainly from the city of Medellín (n = 61). Results indicate a wide range and overlap of O‐C‐Sr‐Pb isotopic distribution according to the defined categories. However, differences between coastal and lowland individuals are observed when using δ18O values, and differences between mountainous regions are observed when using 87Sr/86Sr values. In addition, this study suggests that the usefulness of isotopic analysis for unidentified individuals in Colombia would be with assigning them geographically using the designations of North, Central Andes, Eastern Andes, or Southwest Andes versus making classifications at a city or department level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of an excavation that uncovered c. 390 m of roadside plots within the ribbon development alongside the Fosse Way on the south-west periphery of the walled small town of Margidunum in Nottinghamshire. The roadside plots appear to have been used for a combination of domestic occupation and agricultural activity, and to the rear lay 54 inhumation burials in 52 graves (including two double burials) and a single urned cremation burial, whose skeletons bore evidence for the tough working lives of the individuals. These are interpreted as the remains of peasant farmers and as evidence for the agricultural focus of the settlement, and of 'small towns' more generally. A contrast is drawn between the apparent poverty of this community and the apparently more high-status occupation within the defended core of the town. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a new promising detection technology in the terahertz research field, the terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) has very broad application potential in many fields because its advantage on the characteristic spectrum, wide spectrum and non-destructive analysis of interested substances. In this paper, the terahertz absorption spectra of gases mixed with 12CO and 13CO in the spectrum range of 0.5–2.5 THz are measured by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy for the first time. Several isotopologues can be clearly distinguished based on the difference in their rotational energies and the consequent terahertz spectrum. The experimental results show that 12CO and 13CO have obvious characteristic absorption peaks in the spectrum range of 0.5–2.5 THz due to the difference in rotational energy, and the rotational constant B can be calculated according to the experimental values to distinguish the two gaseous isotopologues. The frequency positions of the characteristic absorption peak measured by this experiment and the rotation constant B calculated according to the experimental values are compared with those previous theoretical calculations and experimental results, and they are in good agreement. This result lays a foundation for developing more sophisticated terahertz instruments to the detection of different isotopologues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater level recovery has a significant effect on the sources and transformation of nitrogen in groundwater, but there are still few studies on the influences of the water table on the sources and transformation of nitrogen in groundwater using field data. In this study, the changes in groundwater level, geochemical composition, and isotopic signatures of NO3- and NH4+ during a period of groundwater level recovery at a pilot site were analyzed in detail. The water table underwent progressive recovery of almost 1.6 m in 16 months. At a depth of 5.5 m below the surface, both low NH4+ and high NO3- appeared in the groundwater, whereas below that depth, both high NH4+ and low NO3- simultaneously appeared in the groundwater. The main sources of NO3- were manure and septic waste, and NH4+ fertilizers. The main sources of NH4+ were mineral fertilizers. The main transformation process were nitrification and denitrification at a depth of 5.5 m below the surface; below that depth, the main transformation processes were denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA). This study provides a theoretical understanding of the relationship between the changing water table and nitrogen in groundwater level recovery areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of burials at S:t Olofsholm, a site associated with the Saint Olaf cult on Gotland in Sweden, has enabled a bioarchaeological contextualization of medieval legends and sagas in conjunction with the archaelogical record. This study seeks to illuminate who were buried at S:t Olofsholm, through a biocultural lens, and whether these burials can be linked to folklore and sagas associated with the site. Five burials of possibly six individuals (cal. AD 980–1270) were assessed macroscopically and through stable isotope analysis (δ13C, δ15N, δ34S, 87Sr/86Sr, and δ18O) of incremental dentine, bulk enamel, and bone samples. Sagas and legends associated with S:t Olofsholm mention episodes of conflict and contact involving King Olaf Haraldsson of Norway (later canonized as Saint Olaf), Gutes and Icelanders, and travels between Norway and Kyiv Rus. Two (or three) burials show signs of violent deaths, including evidence of sharp force trauma and burning. Isotope analyses indicate local and non‐local signals, with possible links to southern Scandinavia, Britain, Iceland, the Baltics, and Kyiv Rus. In general, the evidence neither challenges nor confirms the legends and sagas associated with S:t Olofsholm. Instead, the findings illustrate the site's function as an early Christian place of worship within a wider Viking world that was characterized by travel and contact across the Baltic Sea, Scandinavia, and beyond. The burials at S:t Olofsholm are likely to be non‐normative as indicated by their place of interment and the violent cause of death of most individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With future climatic scenarios foreseeing increased crop water demands and reduced irrigation water availability, a deeper knowledge on the dynamics of water uptake and translocation inside plants is needed. Little is known about the time interval existing between the irrigation water supply and the presence of irrigation water inside trees, and whether the dripper localization can affect water uptake and translocation dynamics. Another research gap concerns the redistribution of irrigation water in the canopy following irrigation localized to one side of the tree.A field and a pot experiment were designed to gain more insight into this context. In the field experiment, we tested the effect of different drip irrigation layouts on the extent and velocity of water uptake by apple trees. Trees were irrigated using deuterium-enriched water using one, two, or four drippers per tree. Samples were collected from different heights in the canopy at regular intervals following the irrigation event. In the pot experiment, the soil was saturated with labelled water and samples were collected at different time intervals and heights along the tree stem. Labelled water was detected in the lowest stem section of potted trees after 1 h from irrigation. In field-grown trees, labelled water appeared in the shoots after 4 h and 6 h in the bottom and top part of the canopy, respectively. By increasing the number of drippers per tree, the fraction of irrigation water in the shoots increased accordingly. However, uptake and transport velocity were unaffected by the number of drippers, averaging 0.60–0.65 m h-1. In trees that were irrigated from one side only, irrigation water could be found on the opposite side in the top part of the canopy. Our results suggest that the localization and amount of irrigation water can significantly influence root water uptake in apple trees.

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BACKGROUND Multi-collector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) has been widely applied to accurate and precise measurements of isotope ratios due to its high sample throughput, strong ionization ability of ICP sources and high mass resolution. For decades, the standard-sample bracketing (SSB) method has been used to correct for instrumental mass bias during the measurement to achieve accurate results. When the content of the target isotope in samples is low, the measurement results are easily influenced by the background signals. "On Peak Zero" correction deducts the background signal from the total signal, which is an effective method to eliminate the background interference and has been widely used, but no research has been conducted to systematically explore the mathematical principles behind this correction. OBJECTIVES To establish a mathematical model for the "On Peak Zero" correction, and verify its confidence by applying it to isotope measurements of different concentrations of Li, S, Fe, Sr, Nd and Pb standard solutions. METHODS In this study, a mathematical model of the influence by the background signal on isotopic composition was established by mathematical reasoning and approximate substitution. Standard solutions of different concentrations of Li, S, Fe, Sr, Nd and Pb were prepared for the application of the "On Peak Zero" method through experimental analysis. Two types of blank signals were subtracted separately from the aggregate signals to simulate isotope measurements without and with "On Peak Zero" correction. RESULTS The results indicate that the lower the concentration of the target element, the greater is the blank solution signal influence on the accuracy of the sample to be tested, and the "On Peak Zero" method can better eliminate the influence of the blank solution on the sample measurements. The simulation results based on this model were consistent with the real experimental results in this study. CONCLUSIONS The mathematical model and the data explain well the effect of background concentration on the experimental isotope values, and are useful for understanding the application of the "On Peak Zero" method in MC-ICP-MS isotope analysis.

Stable isotope analyses demonstrate that [C.sub.4] plants played an important dietary role in Eurasian prehistory. Uncertainty remains, however, about when and how crops were integrated into the diet of Central Asian populations. Here, the authors present [[delta].sup.13]C and [[delta].sup.15]N stable isotope analysis of human and animal bone collagen from Kyrgyzstan, revealing [C.sub.4] plant--likely broomcorn millet--consumption in the third millennium BC. Combining this evidence with AMS radiocarbon dating and animal collagen peptide fingerprinting demonstrates that broomcorn millet was consumed by humans and animals during the earliest episodes of the westward spread of this crop plant. The results contribute to debates about the timing and means by which domesticated millets were dispersed across Eurasia. Keywords: Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Bronze Age, stable isotope analysis, human diet, [C.sub.4] plants, Introduction The study of early agriculture in Central Asia and the role of the populations living along the Inner Asian Mountain Corridor in the spread of domesticated plants and animals [...]

The diet of the nine-spined stickleback Pungitius pungitius has been studied in two water bodies in the north-west of Russia: in the subarctic lake Krivoe (Karelia) and the estuary of the Neva River (Leningrad Oblast). Diptera larvae (Chironomidae, Ceratopogonidae, Simuliidae, and Limoniidae) and planktonic crustaceans formed the basis of the food bolus of fish; however, their abundance and weight ratios differed in the studied water bodies. The seasonal changes of the dominant groups of food objects of the stickleback of Lake Krivoe have been revealed. Additionally to invertebrates and fish eggs, which form the basis of the stickleback diet in winter season, aquatic mosses as well as filamentous and diatom algae present in the fish diet in summer. The comparison of the nitrogen isotope composition of the muscles of stickleback, perch, and invertebrates shows that the stickleback of Lake Krivoe occupies the third trophic level, approaching predatory fish in δ15N values (5.2–8.6‰). A specific feature of the diet patterns of P. pungitius is the transition from a diverse diet of the summer–autumn period to a monotrophic animal diet (chironomid larvae and fish eggs) of the under-ice winter–spring period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The seasonal feeding patterns of the cold-adapted fish, Coregonus albula, are poorly studied in high-latitude lakes but could provide insight for predicting the effects of global warming. We examined vendace’s diet composition, traced the carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios from producers to consumers in the food web, and estimated vendace’s trophic position in a subarctic lake (the White Sea basin). Results showed the vendace to be a typical euryphagous fish, but clear seasonal differences were found in the relative importance of plankton and benthos in the diet. The vendace consumed primarily benthic amphipods in the summer, planktonic cladocerans in the autumn, and copepods in the winter–spring (under ice); larvae of aquatic insects were the second-most important food items throughout the year. Because of the substantial proportion of fish embryos in its diet, the vendace had a trophic position similar to that of a predatory fish (perch). The Bayesian food source-mixing model revealed that the majority of vendace energy derives from planktonic copepods. The dominant Cyclops had the lowest carbon isotope values, suggesting a carbon-depleted diet typical for methanotrophic bacteria, as its probable food source was in a lake under ice. Understanding the feeding patterns of vendace provides information to better predict the potential biotic effects of environmental change on lake ecosystems.

The Inka Empire (1400-1532 A.D.) has been intensively studied by ethnohistorians and archaeologists, but there is comparatively little published bioarchaeological research on the empire and its subjects, particularly in the imperial heartland of Peru's Sacred Valley. Sacred Valley sites were often inhabited by permanent residents who were relocated to work in various capacities for the elite. This study presents stable isotope data for one such group of residents (N = 81) interred at Patallaqta, a planned Inka town constructed in the early decades of the empire and which engaged in extensified agricultural production to provision imperial storehouses and the capital of Cuzco. The aim of this study is to estimate subsistence and diet at Patallaqta and consider the implications of these estimates for understanding aspects of consumption and incorporation into Inka foodways. A central question is whether the production of maize for the empire at Patallaqta translated to its consumption among its residents. Carbonate and collagen isotope data from dentin, enamel, and bone indicate that at Patallaqta, diets centered on a mix of maize, some C3 grains and vegetables, terrestrial meat, and riverine fish. There was modest variation in diet across the sample, but this variation appears associated with nonlocal residential origin. These results suggest that residents at Patallaqta both produced and consumed culturally valued staples, namely maize and meat, but with notable inter-and intraindividual variation; they were therefore integrated, though with local variation, into the surplus economy of the ascendant Inka empire in both their work and their diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the US Southwest and Northwest Mexico, people and turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) have had a reciprocal relationship for millennia; turkeys supplied feathers, meat, and other resources, whereas people provided food, shelter, and care. To investigate how turkeys fit within subsistence, economic production, sociopolitical organization, and religious and ritual practice in the Mimbres Valley of southwestern New Mexico, we report on genetic (mtDNA) and stable isotope (d13C, d15N) data from turkeys recovered from Mimbres Classic period (AD 1000-1130) sites. Results indicate that Mimbres aviculturists had haplogroup H1 and H2 turkeys, and most ate maize-based diets similar to humans, but some ate nonmaize and mixed diets. We contextualize these data to other turkey studies from the northern Southwest and discuss how the human-turkey relationship began, the evidence for pens and restricting turkey movement, and the socioecological factors related to turkey management during the Classic period, particularly the challenges associated with providing maize to turkeys during times of environmental stress. This study has broad relevance to places where people managed wild, tame, and domestic animals, and we offer new insights into how prehispanic, small-scale, middle-range agricultural societies managed turkeys for ritual and utilitarian purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study focuses on the shallow phreatic aquifer (SA) and the upper confined aquifer (CA) developed in Cenozoic loose strata, which are the major regional groundwater resources for drinking, irrigation, industry and other water-related activities. Seven samples from SA and seventeen samples from CA were analyzed to depict the hydrochemical characteristics, categorize the hydrochemical facies, evaluate the hydraulic connectivity, and appraise the drinking water and irrigation water quality. The abundance of cations is Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ and the anions is HCO3− > SO42− > Cl− in both aquifers, respectively. Groundwater chemistry is controlled by water-rock interactions such as halite dissolution, ion exchange, reverse ion exchange, silicate weathering, and followed by the dissolution of Glauber's salt. The low connectivity and moderate connectivity between these two aquifers has engendered. The majority of the ion concentrations are within the limit for drinking, only one sample from the shallow aquifer was greater than the limit of 250 mg/L, a total of 29% from the shallow unconfined aquifer and 14% from the confined aquifer are not within the limit of 250 mg/L. The sodium absorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and soluble sodium percentage (%Na) values reveal that all the samples are appropriate for irrigation uses. The the US salinity laboratory (USSL) diagram shows that sixteen CA samples and all the SA samples fall in the C3S1 zone, implying high salinity hazard and low alkalinity hazard. HIGHLIGHTS Hydrochemical characteristics and water-rock interactions were depicted.; Connectivity index, stable isotope analysis, and cluster analysis were put forward to evaluate the hydraulic connectivity between the shallow phreatic aquifer and the upper confined aquifer developed in Cenozoic loose strata.; The suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes was assessed, respectively.;

Two-color two-step resonance ionization spectroscopy of neodymium (Nd) was performed to identify more than 120 even-parity autoionizing levels and their candidate J -values. The analysis of the observed autoionizing Rydberg series yielded a value of 44,560.11 (43) stat (2) sys cm−1 as a more accurate ionization potential of Nd. The saturation method was used to measure the transition cross-sections for some intense ionization transitions. From the measured cross-sections, the ionization efficiencies of some two-step ionization schemes were evaluated using the scheme cross-section formula to obtain several promising schemes. [Display omitted] • To determine efficient two-step ionization schemes of Nd, spectroscopic study was performed. • Single-color multiphoton transitions potentially interfering with two-step spectra were identified, • Many ionization spectra were measured to explore intense ionization transitions. • Transition cross-sections were determined from the saturation of the ion yield with intense laser light. • Ionization efficiencies were evaluated based on the scheme cross-section for some promising schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate quantitative elemental and isotope analysis of nanoparticles at the single-particle level is crucial for better understanding their origin, properties and behaviors. Single particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) has emerged as a promising technique for nanoparticle analysis. However, challenges persist in obtaining accurate and consistent element profiles and ratios for small-sized nanoparticles by conventional quadrupole (QMS) or time-of-flight mass analyzers (TOF-MS) due to their low level and transient nature. In this paper, we present a novel analytical method for single nanoparticle analysis using multiple collector ICP-MS (MC-ICP-MS) combined with a modern high-speed digital oscilloscope. The single particle events are acquired using an "event-triggered signal capture" (ETSC) technique, which enables the simultaneously capture and visualization of multiple isotopes of transient individual particle profiles with nanosecond time resolution. This greatly facilitates precise and efficient analysis of nanoparticles. The minimum detectable particle size is calculated to be as small as 8 nm (∼1 ag 109Ag) for AgNPs. Based on the 109/107Ag ratios obtained from 2000 particles, the precisions of 109/107Ag ratio measurements on 20 nm, 40 nm, 60 nm, 80 nm and 100 nm were approximately 0.086 (SD), 0.063 (SD), 0.051 (SD), 0.040 (SD), and 0.029 (SD), which is limited by counting statistics of the isotopic signals. Furthermore, the achieved standard error of 109/107Ag can be reduced to sub-permil level (0.7 ‰) even for the measurement of 20 nm AgNPs (N = 17,000). These results demonstrate that the ETSC provides a unique method for isotope analysis of single particles, holding great potential for enhancing our understanding of nanoparticles. [Display omitted] • Sensitive, precise isotope analysis of single nanoparticles is achieved by MC-ICP-MS. • ETSC system enables recording of single particle profile with ns time resolution. • The ETSC system allows for efficient elimination of erroneous particle events. • The achieved standard error of 109/107Ag can be reduced to sub-permil level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Origin and spatiotemporal variations of high F− were studied by a hybrid approach. • Hydrogeochemical evidence indicated the occurrence of F− pollution in aquifer. • Mineral dissolution and agricultural inputs were the sources of F− in aquifer. • F− enrichment in groundwater was controlled by natural hydrogeochemical processes. • LULC changes influenced the spatiotemporal variation in high F− groundwater. Groundwater fluoride contamination is becoming a global concern due to its adverse effect on the safety of drinking water and human health. However, the origin and hydrogeochemical variability of high fluoride groundwater driven by natural and anthropogenic processes are still poorly understood. In this study, 721 water samples were investigated to study the genesis and spatiotemporal variation of high fluoride groundwater in an intensive agricultural area under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors by applying a novel hybrid approach of hydrogeochemistry, stable isotope and LULC based on remote sensing data. The results showed that 40.46 % of samples in 2004 and 25.81 % of samples in 2014 exceeded China's standard limit of 1 mg/L, demonstrating the occurrence of fluoride contamination in groundwater. The main hydrochemical facies of high fluoride groundwater were SO 4 ·Cl-Na and SO 4 ·Cl-Ca·Mg. The hydrogeochemical evidence suggested that the enrichment mechanism of fluoride in aquifer was strongly influenced by natural factors including dissolution of fluoride-containing minerals such as fluorite and apatite, cation exchange, competitive adsorption of HCO 3 − and OH− with F−, and alkaline environment. The isotopic data revealed that GWEL (k = 4.992 in 2004 and 4.733 in 2014) lied below the LMWL (k = 7.21), indicating that groundwater was mainly recharged by precipitation and affected by evaporation, which have strong impact on fluoride enrichment in aquifer. The spatiotemporal variation of high fluoride groundwater was strongly affected by anthropogenic factors, such as application of fertilizers and pesticides, irrigation activities and LULC changes. The remote sensing and GIS-based mapping indicated that the spatial variations in urban land (+77.01 %), bare land (−54.68 %) and grassland (−16.27％) were the main drivers of spatiotemporal variations of fluoride concentration in groundwater. The present study provides novel insights into the genesis, enrichment mechanism and hydrogeochemical evolution of high fluoride groundwater under the influence of natural and anthropogenic processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Multi - collector inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry ( MC - ICP - MS) has been widely applied to accurate and precise measurements of isotope ratios due to its high sample throughput, strong ionization ability of ICP sources and high mass resolution. For decades, the standard - sample bracketing (SSB) method has been used to correct for instrumental mass bias during the measurement to achieve accurate results. When the content of the target isotope in samples is low, the measurement results are easily influenced by the background signals. “On Peak Zero” correction deducts the background signal from the total signal, which is an effective method to eliminate the background interference and has been widely used, but no research has been conducted to systematically explore the mathematical principles behind this correction. OBJECTIVES: To establish a mathematical model for the “On Peak Zero” correction, and verify its confidence by applying it to isotope measurements of different concentrations of Li, S, Fe, Sr, Nd and Pb standard solutions. METHODS: In this study, a mathematical model of the influence by the background signal on isotopic composition was established by mathematical reasoning and approximate substitution. Standard solutions of different concentrations of Li, S, Fe, Sr, Nd and Pb were prepared for the application of the “On Peak Zero” method through experimental analysis. Two types of blank signals were subtracted separately from the aggregate signals to simulate isotope measurements without and with “On Peak Zero” correction. RESULTS: The results indicate that the lower the concentration of the target element, the greater is the blank solution signal influence on the accuracy of the sample to be tested, and the “On Peak Zero” method can better eliminate the influence of the blank solution on the sample measurements. The simulation results based on this model were consistent with the real experimental results in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The mathematical model and the data explain well the effect of background concentration on the experimental isotope values, and are useful for understanding the application of the “On Peak Zero” method in MC-ICP-MS isotope analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The site of Zhengzhou Shang City (ca. 1509-1315 cal. BC) was the capital of the early Shang Dynasty in China. Archaeological excavations have unearthed a ditch containing approximately one hundred unusual dead human skulls in the rammed-earth foundations of the palace area. The identity and origin of the skulls have long been disputed. In this work, strontium, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analyses were carried out on 11 human skulls and 1 tooth from the ditch, as well as on 11 human bones, 11 human teeth from the ordinary tombs and 10 pig teeth from the Zhengzhou Shang City site. We determined that, in Zhengzhou Shang City, the local strontium isotope ratio ranges from 0.711606 to 0.711884, and ordinary inhabitants consumed mainly C4 plants supplemented by C3 plants. Moreover, humans buried in the ditch have 87Sr/86Sr values from 0.711335 to 0.711741 and consumed only C4 plants. Combining the isotopic data with the archaeological and cultural context, it is concluded that the unusual human skulls in the ditch are most likely those of prisoners of war captured by the central forces conquering the Xiaomintun area of Anyang in the early Shang Dynasty. The results provide valuable insight into the history of violence and military warfare in the early Chinese dynasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen and carbon isotopes of well-preserved skeletal remains give relevant support to archaeological and environmental reconstructions. However, the preservation of the skeletal remains must be preliminarily checked. About twenty-five years ago, a diagnostic method based on the oxygen isotope ratio in the phosphate, δ (O 18 / O 16) Ph , and carbonate, δ (O 18 / O 16) Carb , of bioapatite of modern mammals was proposed: for well-preserved samples, the δ (O 18 / O 16) Ph and δ (O 18 / O 16) Carb   should plot near the regression line δ (O 18 / O 16) Ph on δ (O 18 / O 16) Carb obtained for modern mammals. In the last twenty years, techniques of analysis have changed. In the past, BiPO 4   or Ag 3 PO 4   were precipitated from dissolved bioapatite and analysed with the fluorination technique, whereas at present, temperature reduction (HTR) in a glassy carbon reactor with CO   release is commonly used. Taking into account the HTR technique, for some modern mammals, we report a new   δ (O 18 / O 16) Ph + 1 on   δ (O 18 / O 16) Carb + 1 regression line, and related dispersion of the data that, in addition to mineralogical and structural methods, may be used to select samples reliable for archaeological use. In the past, other similar regression lines on modern mammals were defined by several authors. However, statistical results indicate that data used for these regression lines cannot be pooled because the hypothesis of a similar elevation is rejected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CO 2 emissions from headwater streams are a crucial component of greenhouse gas flux in inland waters. However, the influence of groundwater, a major contributor to streams in the Asian Water Tower (Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, QTP), on CO 2 levels remains unclear. This study employed stable isotope analysis and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) to demonstrate that groundwater-derived dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) significantly enhanced CO 2 supersaturation in the Shuiluo stream on the QTP. Specifically, the partial pressure of CO 2 (pCO 2 ), indicative of CO 2 emission potential, increased more than threefold to 1,615 ± 495 μatm in groundwater-rich sites, nearly one time higher than the mean value (843 μatm) across the QTP. Groundwater-derived carbonate weathering had a significant impact of 76.6 % on the increased pCO 2 , whereas the degradation of highly unsaturated polyphenolics with high O/C contributed to 15.8 %. The estimated inflow of groundwater-derived DIC could reach 9.59 ± 0.34 Tg C/y in total runoff across the QTP, highlighting significant CO 2 sources. This study presents new findings on the effects of groundwater-derived DIC on stream CO 2 emissions in weathered regions and expands our knowledge of fluvial CO 2 emissions on the QTP., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Isotope ratio analysis of sulfur in biological samples using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has gained significant interest for applications in quantitative proteomics. Advancements like coupling separation techniques with multicollector ICP-MS (MC-ICP-MS) enhance the throughput of species-specific sulfur isotope ratio measurements, fostering new avenues for studying sulfur metabolism in complex biological matrices. This proof-of-concept study investigates the feasibility of online CE/MC-ICP-MS for directly analyzing sulfur isotope ratios in proteins (albumin). Leveraging our previous work on the applicability of CE/ICP-MS for quantifying sulfur-containing biological molecules, we explore its potential for sulfur isotope analysis. Our results demonstrate that direct analysis of sulfur isotopes in albumin protein using online capillary electrophoresis MC-ICP-MS (CE/MC-ICP-MS) eliminates the need for laborious pretreatment steps, while yielding isotope ratios comparable to the reference values. Although initial precision can be improved through further system optimization and protein injection techniques, this approach paves the way for future analysis of mixtures of various biological compounds in, for example, clinical diagnosis studies., (© 2024 The Author(s). Electrophoresis published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)