Hi Loren,

You should have a look at:

O'Donnell TH, Macko SA, Chou J, Davis-Hartten KL, & Wehmiller JF (2003) 
Analysis of ?13C, ?15N, and ?34S in organic matter from the biominerals 
of modern and fossil Mercenaria spp. Organic Geochemistry 34: 165-183.

And for OM in freshwater shells (where they analyze dD):

M. Carroll, C. Romanek and L. Paddock
The relationship between the hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of freshwater 
bivalve shells and their home streams
Chemical Geology, Volume 234, Issues 3-4, 15 November 2006, Pages 211-222

Cheers,

Dave

-- 
_______________________________________
David P. Gillikin, Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Geology
Department of Earth Science and Geography
Vassar College
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phone:  845-437-7138
main office: 845-437-5540
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Loren Davis wrote:
> I am interested to know if it might be possible to measure 15N from
> freshwater mussel shell?  There are small amounts (<5% by wt.) of organic
> matter incorporated into the freshwater mussel shell structure, so I
> understand.  While I am familiar with 18O and 13C analysis from shell
> carbonate, I wonder if a different approach could measure a shell's 15N
> content?  If so, what instrumentation might work best?
>  
> Thanks for your help.
>  
> Loren
>
> Loren G. Davis, Ph.D.
> Assistant Professor
> Department of Anthropology
> Oregon State University
> 238 Waldo Hall
> Corvallis, OR 97331
> (541) 737-3849
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
>