Stable Carbon Isotope Fractionation in Lower Plants from the Schirmacher and Untersee Oases (Central Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica)

Abstract

Abstract Lower plants (algae, lichens, mosses) from the Antarctic continent have been analysed for their stable carbon isotope composition. In contrast to lichens and mosses which exhibit quite normal δ13C-values the studied microbial benthos is characterized by an extremely low carbon isotope fractionation (δ13C-values up to −1.4‰. vs. PDB). Limited CO2 availability and bicarbonate uptake are probably the main factors responsible for this phenomenon.