Lipid, sterol and saccharide sources and dynamics in surface soils during an annual cycle in a temperate climate region

Multi-biomarkers were characterized in surface soils with different vegetation during an annual cycle in Oregon, U.S.A., to study the composition and dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM). The major compound classes identified include saccharides, steroids, terpenoids, and homologous series of aliphatic lipids (n-alkanoic acids, n-alkanols, and n-alkanes). Saccharides, n-alkanoic acids, and sterols were the most dominant compound groups...