Abstract
Gas chromatograph/pyrolysis/isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GC/pyrolysis/IRMS) and pyrolysis elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometer (pyrolysis-EA/IRMS) are relatively new instruments for on-line determination of stable hydrogen isotopic composition (D/H) of organic compounds, which allow easy and rapid access to their isotopic composition in various biological and geological samples. The hydrogen isotopic composition is a potential tool for the reconstruction of hydrological cycle in paleoenvironment. Combined with carbon isotopic composition (13C/12C), it has also been used for the evaluation of sources and delivery of organic compounds in geological as well as geographical samples. This paper reviews recent studies on the compound-specific hydrogen isotope analysis of lipids and pigments, which consists of brief summaries of (1) biological controls on the isotopic composition, (2) isotopic modification associated with biodegradation and diagenesis, and (3) its application in organic geochemistry.
