An organic geochemical investigation of the practice of manuring at a Minoan site on Pseira Island, Crete

Faeces deposition on Amazonian Anthrosols as assessed from 5β-stanols

“…However, 5b-stanols were also found in soils where no anthropogenic deposition of faeces was assumed, showing that the presence of 5b-stanols alone is not sufficient to proof ancient faecal deposition on soils (Bethel et al, 1994;Bull et al, 2001;Evershed et al, 1997). Additionally, elevated total concentrations of 5b-stanols in soils could also be caused by enhanced concentrations of their precursors (D 5 -sterols), which were reduced in situ and by an enhanced stabilization.…”

“…These threshold values were cited in further studies (e.g. Bull et al, 2001Bull et al, , 2003Bull et al, , 1999aElhmmali et al, 2000;Fitzsimons et al, 1995;Jeng and Han, 1994;Simpson et al, 1998). However, the application of these threshold values in archaeological samples was critically discussed by Bull et al (2005Bull et al ( , 2001Bull et al ( , 1999a and Simpson et al (1998) and a comparison with local background samples was recommended instead by Bull et al (1999b).…”

“…Therefore, litter-derived D 5 -sterols can be a significant source for sterols and their reduction products in these soils, and thus 5a-stanols must be considered to have a high impact on the sterol patterns. Additionally, high decomposition rates of SOM characterize the soils in the humid tropics and Bull et al (2005Bull et al ( , 2001Bull et al ( , 1999a and Simpson et al (1998) generally expected a decrease of 5b/(5b þ 5a)-cholestanol ratios in archaeological soils over time due to a lower thermodynamic stability of 5b-stanols in relation to 5a-stanols (Mackenzie et al, 1982). Thus, after the abandonment of ADE by pre-Columbian inhabitants both could have caused a decrease of the 5b/(5b þ 5a)-cholestanol ratios: (i) Decomposition of anciently deposited stanols including faeces derived 5b-cholestan-3b-ol combined with a continuous dilution of anciently deposited stanols by litter fall and (ii) a decrease in the 5b/(5b þ 5a)-cholestanol ratios over time due to the lower thermodynamic stability of 5b-stanols in relation to 5a-stanols.…”

Application of lipid biomarker analysis to evaluate the function of ‘slab-lined pits’ in Arctic Norway

“…Analysis of lipids of archaeological interest from soils and sediments has focussed largely on anthropogenic markers of manuring and cess deposition (Evershed et al, 1997;Simpson et al, 1999;Bull et al, 1999Bull et al, , 2001Bull et al, , 2003Peters et al, 2005). Occasionally, lipid analysis of soils and sediments associated with specific features such as hearths and refuse middens has been undertaken to explore the possibility of detecting a wider spectrum of organic matter deposition (Heron, 2008;Hjulström and Isaksson, 2009;Kedrowski et al, 2009).…”

Vertical profiles of bacterial-sewage derived biomarkers in marine sediment

“…Interestingly, sewage sterols were loaded together negatively with the C17 and C17-branched compounds on PC 2. This may be due to the explanation that Bacteria I is a bacterial group that is more tolerant to lower oxygen supply, and is potentially anaerobic communities since it is grouped together with epi-coprostanol, a product of anaerobic microbial reworking [18]. In contrast, Bacteria II might be aerobic communities because it is reflected on the opposite site of Bacteria I in PC2.…”