What compounds would I test to determine how much N-13 was released?

Question

Here's the question for my bio class. I can't find answers anywhere on the internet.

During the Chernobyl nuclear accident of the 1980s a large amount of radioactive

nitrogen was released. If you were going to examine animals and plants in the area, what

specific compounds in the organism could be utilized to determine the amount of

radioactive material released? Why did you choose the material(s) you chose?

Please help! anyone and everyone. ANY answers would be v. helpful.

Answer 1

Interesting question.

If one looks at the principal components of plants and animals,  I believe that only proteins are present in large concentrations and contain substantial quantities of nitrogen in their structure.

Carbohydrates don't   they are CHO

Lipids and fats don't,  they have a large portion of CH bonds and are very largely CHO

Bones don't as they are inorganic

So you are left with proteins.

I believe that proteins are synthesized by plants and animals,  so the N-13 released would be incorporated into the protein structure.