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Fractionation of nitrogen isotopes by animals: a further complication to the use of variations in the natural abundance of 15N for tracer studies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

K. W. Steele  and
R. M. Daniel
K. W. Steele
Affiliation:
University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
R. M. Daniel
Affiliation:
University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
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Summary

A study of the fractionation of nitrogen isotopes in the diet by cattle is described and the results discussed.

Compared with the diet, urine had a lower ratio of 15N to 14N, but faeces, blood and milk all had a higher ratio.

It is argued that the use of natural 15N as a tracer in grazed ecosystems is more complicated than was at first thought.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 90 , Issue 1 , February 1978 , pp. 7 - 9
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

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References

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