Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2025

Characterization, Quantification and Compound-specific Isotopic Analysis of Pyrogenic Carbon Using Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids BPCA
Published on: May 16, 2016
Stable carbon isotopes of woods during carbonization and their correlation with climatic factors
Fan Luo1, Nan Sun1,2, Xiabo Li1
1School of Earth Science and Resources, Chang'an University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Abstract:
To explore the applicability of the carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of fossil charcoal for the quantitative reconstruction of paleoclimates, we selected five points in Shaanxi province, from north to south, to collect modern Pinus species and Quercus species to sample covering areas with obvious climatic differences. In order to reveal the relationships between δ13C of charcoal and climate variables on the basis of carbonization experiments, we evaluated the fractionation mechanism of δ13C of charcoal, and compared the differences between δ13C of charcoal in wildfire experiments and indoor experiments regarding genera and species. The results showed significant differences in δ13C between genera but no significant differences among species. Additionally, the δ13C of charcoal was significantly negatively correlated with precipitation and positively correlated with evaporation, which could be determined from δ13C values in the study area to reconstruct ancient precipitation and evaporation in the future.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Global Climate Change
The Carbon Cycle
Softwoods and Hardwoods
Seasoning of Wood
Achieving equilibrium moisture content is the goal of seasoning; this is the point where the wood's moisture content stabilizes to align with the moisture levels of the surrounding environment. Proper...
Carbon-13 (¹³C) NMR: Overview
Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating

