title: Recognition of paleobiochemicals by a combined molecular sulfur and isotope geochemical approach.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Organic Geochemistry Unit, Delft University of Technology, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kohnen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schouten
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Damsté
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: de Leeuw
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Merritt
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hayes
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D008055:Lipids; D012987:Soil; D013455:Sulfur; D002244:Carbon