In terms of the individual carbon isotope data of biomarkers present in the typical freshwater lake sediment (Maoming oil shale) and saline lake sediment lake (Jianghan oil shale) of China, this paper discusses their precursors and depositional environments of biomarkers in both sediment samples. Our studies showed that phytane and pristane of the Maoming oil shale were derived from the phytol side chain of chlorophyll a. By comparing the isotopic composition of 4-methyl sterane with that of sterane and hopane, it is suggested that 4-methyl sterane which has a higher abundance in the Maoming oil shale come from bacteria. The isotopic composition of biomarkers from the Jianghan rock sample (saline lake sediment) is significantly different from that of the Maoming oil shale (freshwater lake sediment). Gammacerane was derived from haloprotozoan, with δ13C being about -25.8‰, just in consistency with the value reported in previous studies. The isotopic composition of phytane and pristane in the Jianghan r In terms of the individual carbon isotope data of biomarkers present in the typical freshwater lake sediment (Maoming oil shale) and saline lake sediment lake (Jianghan oil shale) of China, this paper discusses their precursors and depositional environments of biomarkers in both sediment samples. Our studies showed that phytane and pristane of the Maoming oil shale were derived from the phytol side chain of chlorophyll a. By comparing the isotopic composition of 4-methyl sterane with that of sterane and hopane, it is suggested that 4-methyl sterane which has a higher abundance in the Maoming oil shale come from bacteria. The isotopic composition of biomarkers from the Jianghan rock sample (saline lake sediment) is significantly different from that of the Maoming oil shale (freshwater lake sediment). Gammacerane was derived from haloprotozoan, with δ13C being about -25.8 ‰, just in consistency with the value reported in previous studies. The isotopic composition of phytane and pristan e in the Jianghan r