High turnover of inorganic carbon in kelp habitats as a cause of ?13C variability in marine food webs

Simenstad, C. A.; Duggins, David O.; Quay, Paul D.

doi:10.1007/bf00350742

Cited by 53 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 47 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The kelp carbon ratios showed high variability both within (mean SD 5 1.3) and among sites (mean SD 5 1.5). This was expected because of the uneven storage of compounds with variable isotope ratios within a plant (Stephenson et al 1984) and marked differences in water turbulence among the sites sampled (Simenstad et al 1993). Despite this variability, A. esculenta and L. digitata, the highly productive nearshore kelp species that likely contribute most to overall benthic primary production, had carbon and nitrogen ratios well separated from those of POM (Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…We took samples of the muscle tissue for all animals. We sampled kelp from both exposed and protected sites, given that water turbulence is reported to affect carbon ratios in kelp (Simenstad et al 1993). We ground up whole kelp fronds and then took a subsample to minimize error due to possible variation in isotopic ratios in different portions of fronds (Stephenson et al 1984).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Stable isotopes in subtidal food webs: Have enriched carbon ratios in benthic consumers been misinterpreted?

Nadon

Himmelman

2006

Limnology & Oceanography

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We examined the hypothesis that the d 13 C of benthic consumers is depleted in offshore, deeper waters where kelp and benthic microalgae are absent by conducting three analyses: (1) we analyzed d 13 C (and d 15 N) of consumers along a nearshore-offshore gradient in the field, (2) we analyzed d 13 C (and d 15 N) of consumers placed in cages at various depths and distances from shore, and (3) we reexamined published stable isotope values for consumers taken at various depths from studies around the world. In all three situations, we did not observe the predicted change in d 13 C values of benthic consumers. In both the literature and in our field measurements, the d 13 C values for consumers were on average separated from the values for suspended particulate organic matter by 4%, irrespective of depth, indicating that factors other than the feeding on 13 C-rich benthic primary producers may explain the enriched carbon ratios in benthic consumers (e.g., selective feeding on enriched particles). The hypothesis that the high d 13 C ratio in suspension and deposit feeders reflects feeding on benthic primary producers is thus tenuous and requires further investigation.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stable isotopes in subtidal food webs: Have enriched carbon ratios in benthic consumers been misinterpreted?

Nadon

Himmelman

2006

Limnology & Oceanography

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Therefore, data from this locality were analyzed separately. It is likely that the productivity and the hydrodynamic environment, both of which affect fractionation, were responsible for the results at this locality (Simenstad et al 1993). The algae of the same species from Las Cruces and Punta de Tralca were pooled.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consumption of drift kelp by intertidal populations of the sea urchin Tetrapygus niger on the central Chilean coast: possible consequences at different ecological levels

Rodríguez¹

2003

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Drift algae are an important food resource for many intertidal marine invertebrates. This study quantifies the arrival rate of drift kelp on the intertidal zone of central Chile and analyses its nutritional role in maintaining populations of the sea urchin Tetrapygus niger. The analysis was based on stomach contents and on stable isotope ratios of the food and the sea urchin. Gonad development was also evaluated. Lessonia nigrescens was the kelp most commonly observed, and its arrival pattern showed both temporal and spatial variation. The highest levels of drift kelp occurred in late spring, early summer and part of the autumn. Lessonia spp. were the most important food of T. niger, comprising 68% of the diet, and most of the assimilated carbon came from this source. The availability of drift kelp influenced gonad development. Trophic subsidies such as drift kelp are clearly important to intertidal animals of temperate ecosystems and have effects at different levels of biological organization. Two alternative scenarios of community organization are proposed for tidepools, depending on drift kelp availability.KEY WORDS: Drift kelp · Rocky substratum · Tidepools · Sea urchins · Gonad development · Community structure Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher

show abstract

“…Implicit in this methodology is the assumption that the isotopic composition of each of the primary producers is relatively constant, both among different groups of live individuals and between live and detrital forms of the same plant (Stephenson et al 1984). Recent studies have shown this assumption to be questionable for carbon (Fry & Sherr 1984, Stephenson et al 1984, Zieman 1986, Goering et al 1990, Benner et al 1991, Simenstad et al 1993, Zohary et al 1994. The stable isotopic composition of sulfur in primary producers is variable as well.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variability of stable sulfur isotopic ratios in Spartina alterniflora

Stribling¹,

Cornwell²,

Currin³

1998

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ABSTRACT. The sulfur stable isotopic composition of Spartina dlterniflora in a low salinity tidal creek system was related to differences in porewater sulfur chemistry determined by salinity, hydrodynamics, and season. The extent of porewater sulfide accumulation, the reoxidation of sulfide minerals, and sulfate limitation of sulfate reduction were important processes controlling the tj3'S of the sulfur available for plant uptake. The influence of sedimentary sulfate reduction rates on S. alterniflora 634S was demonstrated in the comparison of 2 sites with s~milar sulfate supply but differing hydrology; plant tj3'S values were heavier where sediments were more oxidized relative to plant 634S values from a fl-equently flooded marsh with more reduced sediments. The role of sulfate supply in determining S alterniflora P 4 S values was apparent in the comparison of 3 sites with similar hydrology but differing salinitv; shoot P 4 S decreased with increasing salinity. In low salinity marshes, oxidation of stored sulfide minerals in winter and spring led to lighter shoot 6"s values, while sulfate depletion in late summer was associated with isotopically heavier shoot sulfur. Variability on spatial and temporal scales in sulfur stable isotopic composition of S. alterniflora has implicat~ons for the use of its P 4 S values in studies of trophic dynamics in estuarine marshes. The sulfur chem~stry of the marsh sediments and the sampling season may both influence the stable isotopic signature of this important prlrnary producer.

show abstract

High turnover of inorganic carbon in kelp habitats as a cause of ?13C variability in marine food webs

Cited by 53 publications

References 47 publications

Stable isotopes in subtidal food webs: Have enriched carbon ratios in benthic consumers been misinterpreted?

Stable isotopes in subtidal food webs: Have enriched carbon ratios in benthic consumers been misinterpreted?

Consumption of drift kelp by intertidal populations of the sea urchin Tetrapygus niger on the central Chilean coast: possible consequences at different ecological levels

Variability of stable sulfur isotopic ratios in Spartina alterniflora

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About