Biomarker and stable carbon isotope systematics of fossil wood from the second Lusatian lignite seam of the Lubstów deposit (Poland)

Chemotaxonomical classification of fossil wood fragments as gymnosperms (most probably species of the coniferales families Taxodiaceae/Cupressaceae) are based on the molecular composition of terpenoid hydrocarbons and a mean δ13C value of −24.5‰. Depletion of gelified samples in 13C as compared to ungelified wood is caused by the effect of progressive decomposition of cellulose. The data indicate that cellulose δ13C data (mean δ13C = −20.8‰) are also affected by wood decomposition and so only samples with comparable cellulose content should be used for the reconstruction of environmental changes. Inter-species as well as intra-plant variation in carbon isotope differences and of decay resistance between cellulose and lignin have to be taken into account.