Lipid biomarkers are used to reconstruct a wide variety of processes in the modern and (geological) past. This includes the distribution and light stable isotopic composition of n-alkanes, fatty acids, alkenones, sterols, hopanoids, HBIs, and GDGTs. Typically, biomarker proxies are grounded in empirical correlations, but biological processes, transport, and diagenesis also influence these signals. Understanding how these factors influence reconstructed parameters increases the usefulness of biomarker data.

We solicit contributions investigating lipid biomarkers and their stable isotopic (e.g., δ¹³C, δ²H) composition, including insights in biosynthesis and phylogeny of source organisms, transport and post-depositional alteration, and their impact on environmental reconstructions. These can be from any timescale and depositional environment, including laboratory cultures. We also seek studies that apply process-based biomarkers to infer environmental, biogeochemical, ecologic, or climatic conditions in the past or present. This might include reconstructions of temperature, hydroclimate, vegetation, the carbon cycle (e.g. CH₄ and pCO₂), or salinity.