Lipid biomarkers are valuable tools for reconstructing a variety of environmental processes in modern and (geological) past settings. Application of lipid biomarkers includes analyzing the distribution and stable isotopic composition of core lipids (e.g., n-alkanes, fatty acids, alkenones, sterols, hopanoids, HBIs, HGs, and GDGTs) and intact polar lipids in the environment. Given complex relationships between biogenic organic compounds and environmental conditions, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms that influence their molecular distribution and isotopic composition in diverse depositional environments. This includes identifying biogenic sources, physiological effects, evidence of transport, post-depositional processes, and diagenesis.
We seek studies that develop new lipid biomarkers and methods for applying biomarkers to modern settings and the geologic past in order to reconstruct environmental parameters such as temperature, precipitation, biogeochemical cycles, anthropogenic activities, and vegetation. These can be studies on the biosynthesis and phylogeny of source organisms, transport and diagenesis, calibrations to environmental parameters, proxy interpretation and applications to reconstruct past environmental conditions.