Recognition of paleobiochemicals by a combined molecular sulfur and isotope geochemical approach.
Study of organic matter in immature sediments from a Messinian evaporitic basin shows that consideration of structures, modes of occurrence, and carbon isotopic compositions of free and sulfur-bound carbon skeletons allow identification of biochemical precursors.  Detailed information concerning biotic communities present during deposition of sediments can be retrieved in this way.  Moreover, unprecedented biochemicals were recognized; these extend the horizon of biomarker geochemistry.
Kohnen
M E
ME
Organic Geochemistry Unit, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands.
Schouten
S
S
Damsté
J S
JS
de Leeuw
J W
JW
Merritt
D A
DA
Hayes
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D001105:Archaea; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D004141:Dinoflagellida; D056890:Eukaryota; D019605:Euryarchaeota; D005844:Geology / Q000379:methods*; D008055:Lipids / Q000737:chemistry; D010163:Paleontology / Q000379:methods*; D010944:Plants; D012987:Soil; D013455:Sulfur / Q000737:chemistry*
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D008055:Lipids; D012987:Soil; D013455:Sulfur; D002244:Carbon