Environmentalhard · Past Paper
Which carbon isotope is preferred by plants during photosynthesis, often used by scientists to track fossil fuel emissions?
ACarbon-12
BCarbon-13
CCarbon-14
DCarbon-16
✓ Correct Answer: A — Carbon-12
Plants prefer the lighter Carbon-12. Fossil fuels (derived from plants) are therefore enriched in C-12, and their burning lowers the C-13/C-12 ratio in the atmosphere (Suess effect).
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