Figure 1.

Relative distribution of medium- (C₁₀–C₂₀), long- (C₂₂–C₃₀) and very long-chain (C₃₂–C₄₀) alkanes and for the dynamics of nonacosane and hentriacontane (C₂₉ and C₃₁) as control for the most abundant plant wax alkanes during the incubation of sandy (a, c) and silty (b, d) soil microcosms covered with litter of maize (a, b) or pea (c, d). The litter layer, litter–soil interface (0–1 mm) and the bulk soil are indicated. Error bars represent standard deviations (n=3).