Which of the following may be used to study the uptake of water by plants in a natural ecosystem? A) Non-stable isotope analysis B) Radioactive isotope analysis C) ¹⁴C isotope analysis D) Stable isotope analysis E) Water isotope analysis

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Stable isotope analysis can be used to study the uptake of water by plants in a natural ecosystem. This technique involves measuring the stable isotopes of water (e.g. 18O and 2H) in plant tissues and soil samples. The isotopic composition of water varies depending on the source and environmental conditions, and plants take up water with specific isotopic signatures. By analyzing the isotopes in plant tissues, researchers can estimate the relative proportions of different water sources (e.g. rainfall, groundwater) used by the plants, as well as the amount of water that is lost through transpiration.

Which of the Following May Be Used to Study the Uptake