The D/H ratio of cellulose in a New ZealandPinus radiata; A reply to the criticism of A.T. Wilson and M.J. Grinsted

doi:10.1016/0012-821X(78)90207-8

Earth and Planetary Science Letters

Volume 39, Issue 2, April 1978, Pages 303-307

https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X(78)90207-8 Get rights and content

Abstract

D/H ratios of C-H hydrogen in cellulose extracted from 19 successive increments of wood from three adjacent tree rings from aPinus radiata grown in New Zealand in 1915–1918 follow qualitatively the isotopic pattern of the D/H ratio of the precipitation of the Kailaia area in New Zealand. This relationship between the D/H ratio of the cellulose and precipitation is the opposite to that claimed by Wilson and Grinsted [Nature 257 (1975) 287–288]. Consequently their biochemical thermometer based on the relationship between the D/H ratio in cellulose of thePinus radiata and temperature has no basis. Their arguments based on the data of Epstein and Yapp [Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 30 (1976) 252–261] to support their biochemical thermometer is also shown to be invalid.

References (12)

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Climatic implications of the D/H ratio of hydrogen in C-H groups in tree cellulose
Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.
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WilsonA.T. et al.
The D/H ratio of cellulose as a biochemical thermometer: a comment on “Climatic implications of the D/H ratio of hydrogen in C-H groups in tree cellulose” by S. Epstein and C.J. Yapp
Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.
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EpsteinS. et al.
The determination of the D/H ratio of non-exchangeable hydrogen in cellulose extracted from aquatic and land plants
Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.
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WilsonA.T. et al.
Paleotemperatures from tree rings and the D/H ratio of cellulose as a biochemical thermometer
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A.T. Wilson, Personal communication (dates marked on wood...
BarnettJ.R.
Seasonal variation in the ultrastructure of the Cambrian in New Zealand grownPinus radiata D. Don
Ann. Bot.
(1973)

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The effects of different methods of preparing cellulose nitrate on the determination of the D/H ratios of non-exchangeable hydrogen of cellulose
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Cellulose nitrate prepared by different methods was subjected to elemental, isotopic, and spectroscopic analysis. Cellulose nitrate prepared by nitration of wood powder was contaminated, most likely by nitrated lignin. Cellulose nitrate prepared by nitration of wood cellulose did not contain this component, and thus provides a more accurate measure of the D/H ratios of non-exchangeable hydrogen of cellulose. However, cellulose nitrate prepared directly from cellulose contained trace amounts of hemicellulose nitrates and was not completely nitrated. These conditions will not cause significant errors in the D/H ratios measured for most samples. Analysis of aliquots of the same samples nitrated by the two methods suggests that published δD values of cellulose nitrate from wood may be in error by 6–8‰ in many cases and occasionally by as much as 15‰.
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The D/H ratio of cellulose in a New ZealandPinus radiata; A reply to the criticism of A.T. Wilson and M.J. Grinsted

Abstract

Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.

Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.

Earth Planet. Sci. Lett.

Paleotemperatures from tree rings and the D/H ratio of cellulose as a biochemical thermometer

Nature

Seasonal variation in the ultrastructure of the Cambrian in New Zealand grownPinus radiata D. Don

Ann. Bot.