Characterisation of n-alkanes and their hydrogen isotopic composition in sediments from Lake Qinghai, China

► Studies of stable hydrogen isotopes of n-alkanes are lacking for sediments from saline lakes. ► The biological source information is recorded in the δD values of n-alkanes in lake sediments. ► The data provide a scientific basis for the application of δD values of sedimentary n-alkanes in palaeoenvironmental studies.