Sulphur-isotope compositions of pig tissues from a controlled feeding study

Bibliographic Data

ID19553694
AuthorsEmily C Webb (University of Bristol), Jason Newton (0000-0001-7594-3693, Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre), Jamie Lewis (0000-0002-1065-6017, University of Bristol), Alan Stewart (0000-0001-5516-9223), A H Stewart (0000-0003-0309-5343, Harper Adams University), Bevis Miller (University of Bristol), John F Tarlton (0000-0002-4886-6634, University of Bristol), R P Evershed (0000-0002-9483-2750, University of Bristol, corresponding author)
Year2017
Volume3
Issue1
Pages71-79
Publication date2017-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSTAR Science & Technology of Archaeological Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2054-8923 • E-ISSN: 2054-8923
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/20548923.2017.1368821
OpenAlexW2747031562
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited33

Sulphur-isotope determinations are becoming increasingly useful for palaeodietary reconstruction, but knowledge of isotopic discrimination between diet and various tissues remains inadequate. In this study, we explore the sensitivity of δ34Stissue values to changes in δ34Sdiet values, sulphur isotopic discrimination between diet and consumer, and the potential impact of terrestrial vs. marine protein consumption on these discrimination offsets. We present new δ34S values of bone collagen, muscle, liver, hair, milk and faeces from ten mature sows, ten piglets and fifteen adolescent pigs from a controlled feeding study. The δ34Stissue values were found to co-vary with the δ34Sdiet values, the δ34Stissue – δ34Sdiet isotopic offsets (Δ34Stissue-diet) are small but consistent, and dietary protein source does not systematically alter the Δ34Stissue-diet isotopic discrimination. The outcomes of this study are of particular relevance to questions that are difficult to resolve using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes alone, and will also be useful in regions where terrestrial, freshwater, and marine resources could have all potentially contributed to human diet

Animal science · Biology · Feces · Isotope · Isotope analysis · Isotopes of carbon · Isotopes of nitrogen · Nitrogen · Stable isotope ratio · Sulfur · Total organic carbon · δ13C · δ15N · δ34S · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Chemistry · Isotope Analysis in Ecology · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies · Ecology · Environmental Chemistry