摘要
Molecular biomarkers,including n-alkanes, n-alcohols and n-alkanoic acids, were identified in the core sediments taken from the Qarhan Salt Lake by GC/MS analysis. The distribution of n-alkanes was mainly discussed in this paper. The n-alkanes exhibited strong odd-over-even carbon number predominance and the main peak at C31, suggesting that they were derived from terrestrial higher plants. The distribution of n-alkanes indicated that the grass vegetation was dominated in the Qarhan Salt Lake area during 110.1 to 50.1 ka B.P. In addition, the compound-specific carbon isotopic composition was determined for C27, C29 and C31 n-alkanes in the core. Relative contribution of C3 and C4 plants was estimated by using a binary model, indicating that C3 plants are a dominant input.