A benthic bioindicator reveals distinct land and ocean–Based influences in an urbanized coastal embayment

Abstract

Biogeochemical maps of coastal regions can be used to identify important influences and inputs that define nearshore environments and biota. Biogeochemical tracers can also track animal movement and their diet, monitor human coastal development, and evaluate the condition of habitats and species. However, the beneficial applications of spatial biogeochemical analysis are hindered by a limited understanding of how tracer distribution is affected by different land and ocean–based influences. To help address these knowledge gaps, we determined the spatial trends of three stable isotopes (δ13C-carbon, δ15N-nitrogen, δ34S-sulfur) and 13 major and trace elements in an urbanized coastal embayment (Moreton Bay, Australia), as incorporated into the muscle tissue of a marine consumer, the eastern king prawn Melicertus plebejus. Results were used to identify unique biochemical regions within the bay and to discuss how spatial patterns in tracers could be used to indicate the relative importance of catchment, urban and offshore drivers in coastal bays. Discriminant analysis identified seven biogeochemical regions that were likely distinguished by variation in catchment, urban, and offshore input, and habitat type. δ13C and δ15N patterns suggested nearshore areas could be distinguished by increased sediment resuspension and higher wastewater inputs from catchments. High inshore lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) concentrations were likely the result of urban input. Arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) increased further from shore. This trend implied oceanic influences were a significant control over As and Cd bioavailability. Cobalt (Co) and rare earths were also used to differentiate some nearshore areas, but incongruent distribution patterns in Co suggested it may be less reliable. Overall, results indicated that δ15N, δ13C, Cd, Cu, Pb and rare earth elements were the most reliable tracers to differentiate nearshore and offshore environments, and catchment–based effects. We encourage future studies to consider using a similar multivariate approach in coastal spatial analysis, and to include unrelated tracers that reflect distinct coastal influences.

Estudos de crustáceos decápodes com isótopos estáveis: Análise bibliométrica entre 2010 e 2020

“…Os crustáceos decápodes que se distribuem em regiões afetadas pela poluição podem ser utilizados como biomonitores a partir da determinação e do acompanhamento de variações na sua composição isotópica. Neste sentido, os isótopos estáveis são traçadores eficientes na identificação de fontes antropogênicas enriquecidas em nitrogênio, assim como na detecção de fontes primárias de  13 C decorrentes de alterações ambientais (EYRE et al, 2002;MUNROE et al, 2018). O isótopo  18 O em combinação com elementos traço e  15 N se mostrou eficaz em avaliações da poluição em ecossistemas costeiros e seus reflexos nos decápodes (FRY et al, 2016).…”

A decade implementing ecosystem approach to fisheries management improves diversity of taxa and traits within a marine protected area in the UK

“…Initially applied within terrestrial and freshwater environments, the use of biological trait analysis has increased in recent years in the marine environment (Berthelsen et al, 2015; Coleman et al, 2015) and has mostly been used to assess either fish or benthic invertebrate communities (Beauchard et al, 2017). Benthic invertebrates are well known as bio‐indicators of ecosystem health, disturbance or biogeochemical processes (Belley & Snelgrove, 2016; De‐La‐Ossa‐Carretero et al, 2012; Munroe et al, 2018; Parmar et al, 2016) and fish assemblages have been used to assess the impacts of fishing and climate change (Benoıt & Swain, 2008; Benoit et al, 2013). Particular groups of organisms can be used as indicators for different elements of ecosystem health, and the assessment of multiple groups of organisms will provide a more comprehensive image of the function of the whole ecosystem and allow for adaptive management, as set out by EAFM (Long et al, 2015).…”