Distribution and Trophic Importance of Anthropogenic Nitrogen in Narragansett Bay: An Assessment Using Stable Isotopes

Narragansett Bay has been heavily influenced by human activities for more than 200 years. In recent decades, it has been one of the more intensively fertilized estuaries in the USA, with most of the anthropogenic nutrient load originating from sewage treatment plants (STP). This will soon change as tertiary treatment upgrades reduce nitrogen (N) loads by about one third or more during the summer. Before these reductions take place, we sought to characterize the sewage N signature in primary (macroalgae) and secondary (the hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria) producers in the bay using stable isotopes of N (δ¹⁵N) and carbon (δ¹³C). The δ¹⁵N signatures of the macroalgae show a clear gradient of approximately 4‰ from north to south, i.e., high to low point source loading. There is also evidence of a west to east gradient of heavy to light values of δ¹⁵N in the bay consistent with circulation patterns and residual flows. The Providence River Estuary, just north of Narragansett Bay proper, receives 85% of STP inputs to Narragansett Bay, and lower δ¹⁵N values in macroalgae there reflected preferential uptake of ¹⁴N in this heavily fertilized area. Differences in pH from N stimulated photosynthesis and related shifts in predominance of dissolved C species may control the observed δ¹³C signatures. Unlike the macroalgae, the clams were remarkably uniform in both δ¹⁵N (13.2 ± 0.54‰ SD) and δ¹³C (−16.76 ± 0.61‰ SD) throughout the bay, and the δ¹⁵N values were 2–5‰ heavier than in clams collected outside the bay. We suggest that this remarkable uniformity reflects a food source of anthropogenically heavy phytoplankton formed in the upper bay and supported by sewage derived N. We estimate that approximately half of the N in the clams throughout Narragansett Bay may be from anthropogenic sources.     

Combining Organic Matter Source and Relative Trophic Position Determinations to Explore Trophic Structure

Stable isotope ratios of carbon and sulfur were used to assess organic matter utilization of numerically abundant consumers present in Apalachicola Bay, FL, USA. These results were used to infer nitrogen isotopic enrichment of organic matter sources in an effort to establish baseline δ ¹⁵N enrichment for trophic evaluations. We compared results from concentration-independent and concentration-dependent mixing models and found that the two methods resulted in widely different conclusions about the importance of organic matter sources that varied ninefold in sulfur concentrations. Nitrogen isotopic enrichment was used to determine relative trophic positions of consumer organisms. Source elemental concentrations of nitrogen were also considered in the calculation of relative trophic levels in a concentration-dependent approach. Concentration-independent and concentration-dependent methods of calculating trophic results were compared. While relative trophic levels of individual species varied continuously from approximately 1.7 to 3.5, comparisons of trophic level among consumers indicated four possible trophic groupings. Filter feeders (mussels and oysters) made up the lowest trophic tier while teleost fishes made up the highest trophic tier. Invertebrates sampled were assigned intermediate nondiscrete trophic levels. Because δ ¹⁵N values of important organic matter sources in the system were similar, the concentration-independent and concentration-dependent methods did not result in significantly different conclusions about trophic level for any of the consumers examined. However, a comparison of the two methods applied to a hypothetical case found that differences in base δ ¹⁵N values ranging approximately 4‰ resulted in significantly different trophic-level assignments when comparing the concentration-dependent and concentration-independent methods of trophic-level calculations. Our results confirm that consideration of the elemental concentrations of the base organisms is an important factor in determining source contributions and may affect trophic-level calculations in systems with a sufficient range of base nitrogen enrichment. However, this result depended on the relative isotopic signatures of the chosen sources and their elemental concentrations and should be considered individually for each system.     

Reconstructing the History of eastern and Central Florida Bay using mollusk-shell isotope records

Stable isotopic ratios of carbon and oxygen (δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O) from mollusk shells reflect the water quality characteristics of Florida Bay and can be used to characterize the great temporal variability of the bay. Values of δ¹⁸O are directly influenced by temperature and evaporation and may be related to salinity, δ¹³C values of δ¹³C are sensitive to organic and inorganic sources of carbon and are influenced by productivity. Analyses of eight mollusk species from five short-core localities across Florida Bay show large ranges in the values of δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O, and reflect the variation of the bay over decades. Samples from southwester Florida Bay have distinct δ¹³C values relative to samples collected in northeastern Florida Bay, and intermediate localities have intermediate values.¹³C values of δ¹³C grade from marine in the southwest bay to more estuarine in the northeast. Long cores (>1m), with excellent chronologies were analyzed from central and eastern Florida Bay. Preliminary analyses ofBrachiodontes exustus andTransenella spp. from the cores showed that both δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O changed during the first part of the twentieth century. After a century of relative stability during the 1800s, δ¹³C decreased between about 1910 and 1940, then stabilized at these new values for the next five decades. The magnitude of the reduction in δ¹³C values increased toward the northeast. Using a carbon budget model, reduced δ¹³C values are interpreted as resulting from decreased circulation in the bay, probably associated with decreased freshwater flow into the Bay. Mollusk shell δ¹⁸O values display several negative excursions during the 1800s, suggesting that the bay was less evaporitic than during the twentieth century. The isotope records indicate a fundamental change took place in Florida Bay circulation early in the twentieth century. The timing of the change links it to railroad building and early drainage efforts in South Florida rather than to flood control and water management measures initiated after World War II.     

Eutrophication processes and trophic interactions in a shallow estuary: Preliminary results based on stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N)

Stable isotopes ratios (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) were measured in primary producers and consumers of two bays with contrasting eutrophic conditions in the Patos Lagoon estuary, southern Brazil: the Justino bay, a more pristine ecosystem, and the Mangueira bay, a heavily polluted region that receives the Rio Grande city sewage and effluencts of several industries. δ¹³C values of organisms collected in both subsystems were not different, but δ¹⁵N values had significant statistical differences, ca. 3.5‰ higher in the Mangueira bay. It is likely that primary producers and consumers in this subsystem are greatly influenced by higher nitrogen input due to domestic and industrial sewages. The stable isotope analysis also corroborated several trophic interactions previously established by gut content analysis, and due to its higher sensitivity, it was possible to better determine the contributions of different primary producers and detrital fractions to the consumers' diets. It was confirmed that plant detritus represents the main food source for most organisms. The stable isotope analysis also demonstrated that detritivorous benthic organisms in the same habitat have distinct diet compositions, with differential consumption of C3 and C4 plants. This technique showed that some consumers that eat detritus do not have in their stable isotopic signature any relationship with that of plants. It is likely that these consumers assimilate their carbon and nitrogen from other sources like microalgae or microorganisms that colonize decaying plants.     

Monitoring food web changes in tide-restored salt marshes: A carbon stable isotope approach

Primary producer (angiosperms, macroalgae, submerged aquatic vegetation), suspended particulate matter, andFundulus heteroclitus isotope values (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, δ³⁴S) were examined to assess their use as indicators for changes in food web support functions in tidally-restored salt marshes. Study sites, located throughout the southern New England region (USA), ranged fromSpartina alterniflora-dominated reference marshes, marshes under various regimes and histories of tide restoration, and a severely tide-restrictedPhragmites australis marsh.Fundulus δ¹³C values were greater for fish from referenceSpartina marshes than for fish from adjacent tide-restricted or tide-restored marshes where higher percent cover of C₃ plants, lower water column salinities, and more negative dissolved inorganic δ¹³C values were observed. The difference inFundulus δ¹³C values between a tide-restrictedPhragmites marsh and an adjacent referenceSpartina marsh was great compared to the difference between marshes at various stages of tide restoration and their respective reference marshes, suggesting that food web support functions are restored as the degree of tidal restriction is lessened. While a multiple isotopic approach can provide valuable information for determining specific food sources to consumers, this study demonstrates that monitoringFundulus δ¹³C values alone may be useful to evaluate the trajectory of ecological change for marshes undergoing tidal restoration.     

A comparative study on isotopic composition of precipitation in wet tropic and semi-arid stations across southern India

Isotopic composition of monthly composite precipitation samples from Kozhikode (n = 31), a wet tropic station and Hyderabad (n = 25), a semi-arid station across southern India were studied for a period of four years from 2005 to 2008. During the study period, the Kozhikode station recorded an average rainfall of 3500 mm while the Hyderabad station showed an average rainfall of 790 mm. The average stable isotope values in precipitation at the Kozhikode station were δ ¹⁸O = −3.52‰, d-excess = 13.72‰; δ ¹⁸O = −2.94‰, d-excess = 10.57‰; and δ ¹⁸O = −7.53‰, d-excess = 13.79‰, respectively during the pre-monsoon (March–May), monsoon (June–September) and post-monsoon (October–February) seasons. For the Hyderabad station, the average stable isotope values were δ ¹⁸O = −5.88‰, d-excess = 2.34‰; δ ¹⁸O = −4.39‰, d-excess = 9.21‰; and δ ¹⁸O = −8.69‰, d-excess = 14.29‰, respectively for the three seasons. The precipitation at the two stations showed distinctive isotopic signatures. The stable isotopic composition of precipitation at the Hyderabad station showed significant variations from the global trend while the Kozhikode station almost followed the global value. These differences are mainly attributed to the latitudinal differences of the two stations coupled with the differences in climatic conditions.     

Seasonal and Spatial Effects of Wastewater Effluent on Growth,Survival, and Accumulation of Microbial Contaminants by Oysters in Mobile Bay,Alabama

We measured seasonal effects of wastewater treatment plant (WTP) effluent on growth, survival, and accumulation of microbes in oysters near a major WTP in Mobile Bay, AL. Despite higher nutrients near the WTP, seasonal conditions rather than distance affected chlorophyll a concentration and oyster growth. In summer and fall, when oyster growth was higher, δ¹⁵N‰ in oysters near the WTP changed through time to reflect δ¹⁵N‰ in effluent (approx. −4‰). Microbial indicators (male-specific coliphage, fecal coliforms) were highest in oysters near the WTP in all seasons and correlated with δ¹⁵N‰ in fall and summer. Increased riverine discharge and slower acquisition of δ¹⁵N‰ likely confounded correlations in winter/spring. Although we did not detect gross ecological effects of wastewater exposure for oysters, data indicated wastewater-derived particles entered the local food web and accumulated in oysters. These data highlight the importance of using multiple indicators of wastewater exposure and considering both seasonal and spatial effects when defining wastewater influence on a system or species.     

Stable isotope analyses (δ<Superscript>15</Superscript>N and δ<Superscript>13</Superscript>C) of the trophic relationships of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Callinectes sapidus</Emphasis> in two North Carolina estuaries

The present study focused on detecting variations in trophic relationships among blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) consumers according to water quality along two estuaries in North Carolina. Stable isotope (δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C) analyses of particulate organic matter and bivalve(Rangia cuneata andCorbicula fluminea) food sources were examined in combination with an Isosource mixing model. Results suggest that blue crab δ¹³C values increased significantly with increasing salinity from upper to lower sites along the Neuse River estuary (NRE; R2 = 0.87, p < 0.01) and Alligator River estuary (R² = 0.92, p < 0.01). There was a positive relationship between blue crab δ¹⁵N values and nitrate concentrations for the NRE (R² = 0.48, p = 0.12). This study found that blue crab δ¹³C values increased with salinity from upper to lower regions along both estuaries. Results suggest that blue crab production may have used alternative food sources that were isotopically (δ¹³C) depleted, especially in the upper NRE, and enriched sources in the mid to lower regions of both estuaries. Consumers sampled from the upper NRE may be influenced by higher nitrogen input from urban land use and municipal wastewater.     

Stable carbon isotope characteristics of different plant species and surface soil in arid regions

The stable carbon isotope composition in surface soil organic matter (δ¹³Csoil) contains integrative information on the carbon isotope composition of the standing terrestrial plants (δ¹³Cleaf). In order to obtain valuable vegetation information from the δ¹³C of terrestrial sediment, it is necessary to understand the relationship between the δ¹³C value in modern surface soil and the standing vegetation. In this paper, we studied the δ¹³C value in modern surface soil organic matter and standing vegetation in arid areas in China, Australia and the United States. The isotopic discrepancy between δ¹³Csoil and δ¹³Cleaf of the standing dominant vegetation was examined in those different arid regions. The results show that the δ¹³Csoil values were consistently enriched compared to the δ¹³Cleaf. The δ¹³Cleaf values were positively correlated with δ¹³Csoil, which suggests that the interference of microorganisms and hydrophytes on the isotopic composition of surface soil organic matter during soil organic matter formation could be ignored in arid regions. The averaged discrepancy between δ¹³Csoil and δ¹³Cleaf is about 1.71%in Tamarix L. in the Tarim Basin in China, 1.50% in Eucalytus near Orange in Australia and 1.22% in Artemisia in Saratoga in the United States, which are different from the results of other studies. The results indicate that the discrepancies in the δ¹³C value between surface soil organic matter and standing vegetation were highly influenced by the differences in geophysical location and the dominant species of the studied ecosystems. We suggest that caution should be taken when organic matter δ¹³C in terrestrial sediment is used to extract paleovegetation information (C₃/C₄ vegetation composition), as the δ¹³C in soil organic matter is not only determined by the ratio of C₃/C₄ species, but also profoundly affected by climate change induced variation in the δ¹³C in dominant species.     

Can the nitrogen and carbon stable isotopes of the pygmy mussel,Xenostrobus securis, indicate catchment disturbance for estuaries in northern New South Wales, Australia?

The nitrogen and carbon stable isotope ratios (δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C) of the pygmy mussel,Xenostrobus securis, were determined for three estuaries with varying levels of catchment disturbance in northern New South Wales, Australia. The lower Manning River catchment supported the highest human population densities with 3% residential development and some livestock agriculture (41%); the Wallamba River catchment was mostly livestock agriculture (56%) while the Wallingat River catchment was mostly vegetated (79%). Mussels, estuarine particulate organic matter (POM), and livestock and human-derived waste were collected in two stages during the austral summers of 2001–2002 and 2002–2003 for dual carbon-nitrogen stable isotope analysis. The disturbed Manning and Wallamba River catchment mussels were enriched in¹⁵N by an average of 3.2‰ and 1.5‰, respectively, compared to the vegetated Wallingat River mussels. Mussel δ¹³C values ranged from −24.8‰ to −30.3‰ and showed an estuarine gradient becoming enriched with distance downstream within estuaries, but were unable to distinguish patterns in catchment disturbance between estuaries. The δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values of POM showed a similar pattern to mussels, indicating a direct link between them within each estuary. A multiple regression model of mussel δ¹⁵N using the fractions of land used for livestock agriculture and residential development within 5 km zones from river networks to a distance equivalent to a tidal ellipse from sites explained 67% of the variation in mussel δ¹⁵N with 95% of the differences lying within 1.6‰ of observed values. Increasing fractions of land used for livestock agriculture depleted mussel δ¹⁵N values estimated by the regression equation, indicating the use of cow manure as a nutrient source with a value of 2.0‰. Increasing fractions of land used for residential development enriched estimated mussel δ¹⁵N, indicating the use of human-derived waste with a value of 20.8‰. Pygmy mussels are a useful long-term bio-indicator for the effects of anthropogenic catchment disturbance and nutrient enrichment in estuaries.     

Isotopic Determination of Food Web Origins in Restoring and Ancient Estuarine Wetlands of the San Francisco Bay and Delta

We compared the extent to which ancient and restoring wetlands in three estuary regions of San Francisco Bay support estuarine ecosystems through food web contributions. In comparison to mature marshes, we hypothesized that food webs of increasingly younger restoration sites would display increased dependency upon allochthonous subsidies due to nominal internal production. Using multiple stable isotopes (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, δ³⁴S) in a mixing model, we traced links among primary producers and estuarine consumers. Results indicate that food webs of estuarine marshes are heavily dependent upon autochthonous marsh materials (76 ± 17%), even within the youngest restoration marshes (11 years). Nearly all sampled organisms relied upon autochthonous marsh materials, with the exception of Neomysis kadiakensis, a mysid shrimp, which derived the majority of its support from freshwater-produced phytoplankton. Marsh-derived organic matter (OM) support was consistent both temporally throughout the year and spatially along the three estuary regions, but evidence suggests that the specific type of OM supporting estuarine consumers depends on position along the estuarine gradient and on seasonal shifts in freshwater flow. These results indicate that wetland restoration rapidly provides important contributions to marsh consumers and potentially bolsters food web linkages in shallow-water ecosystems.     

Carbon isotopic composition of fossil leaves from the Early Cretaceous sediments of western India

Stable carbon isotope analysis of fossil leaves from the Bhuj Formation, western India was carried out to infer the prevailing environmental conditions. Compression fossil leaves such as Pachypteris indica, Otozamite kachchhensis, Brachyphyllum royii and Dictyozamites sp. were recovered from three sedimentary successions of the Bhuj Formation, Early Cretaceous in age. A chronology was established based on faunal assemblage and palyno-stratigraphy and further constrained by carbon isotope stratigraphy. The three sampling sites were the Karawadi river bank near Dharesi; the Chawad river bank near Mathal; and the Pur river section near Trambau village in Gujarat. The Dharesi sample was also analyzed to investigate intra-leaf δ ¹³C variability. The mean δ ¹³C of the leaf was − 24.6 ± 0.4‰ which implied negligible systematic change along the leaf axis. The Mathal sample was fragmented in nature and showed considerable variation in carbon isotopic composition. The Trambau sample considered to be the oldest, dating to the middle of Aptian (ca. 116 Ma), shows the most depleted value in δ ¹³C among all of them. The overall δ ¹³C trend ranging from mid Aptian (ca. 116 Ma) to early Albian (ca. 110 Ma) shows a progressive increase in δ ¹³C from −26.8 to −20.5‰. Based on these measurements the carbon isotopic composition of atmospheric carbon dioxide of the Aptian–Albian period is estimated to be between −7.4 and −1.7‰. The ratio of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in leaf to that of the ambient atmosphere calculated based on a model is estimated to be similar to that of the modern plants. This indicates that the Early-Cretaceous plants adapted to the prevailing high carbon dioxide regime by increasing their photosynthetic uptake.     

Genesis of sediment-hosted stratiform copper–cobalt mineralization at Luiswishi and Kamoto, Katanga Copperbelt (Democratic Republic of Congo)

The sediment-hosted stratiform Cu–Co mineralization of the Luiswishi and Kamoto deposits in the Katangan Copperbelt is hosted by the Neoproterozoic Mines Subgroup. Two main hypogene Cu–Co sulfide mineralization stages and associated gangue minerals (dolomite and quartz) are distinguished. The first is an early diagenetic, typical stratiform mineralization with fine-grained minerals, whereas the second is a multistage syn-orogenic stratiform to stratabound mineralization with coarse-grained minerals. For both stages, the main hypogene Cu–Co sulfide minerals are chalcopyrite, bornite, carrollite, and chalcocite. These minerals are in many places replaced by supergene sulfides (e.g., digenite and covellite), especially near the surface, and are completely oxidized in the weathered superficial zone and in surface outcrops, with malachite, heterogenite, chrysocolla, and azurite as the main oxidation products. The hypogene sulfides of the first Cu–Co stage display δ³⁴S values (−10.3‰ to +3.1‰ Vienna Canyon Diablo Troilite (V-CDT)), which partly overlap with the δ³⁴S signature of framboidal pyrites (−28.7‰ to 4.2‰ V-CDT) and have ∆³⁴S_SO4-Sulfides in the range of 14.4‰ to 27.8‰. This fractionation is consistent with bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR). The hypogene sulfides of the second Cu–Co stage display δ³⁴S signatures that are either similar (−13.1‰ to +5.2‰ V-CDT) to the δ³⁴S values of the sulfides of the first Cu–Co stage or comparable (+18.6‰ to +21.0‰ V-CDT) to the δ³⁴S of Neoproterozoic seawater. This indicates that the sulfides of the second stage obtained their sulfur by both remobilization from early diagenetic sulfides and from thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR). The carbon (−9.9‰ to −1.4‰ Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite (V-PDB)) and oxygen (−14.3‰ to −7.7‰ V-PDB) isotope signatures of dolomites associated with the first Cu–Co stage are in agreement with the interpretation that these dolomites are by-products of BSR. The carbon (−8.6‰ to +0.3‰ V-PDB) and oxygen (−24.0‰ to −10.3‰ V-PDB) isotope signatures of dolomites associated with the second Cu–Co stage are mostly similar to the δ¹³C (−7.1‰ to +1.3‰ V-PDB) and δ¹⁸O (−14.5‰ to −7.2‰ V-PDB) of the host rock and of the dolomites of the first Cu–Co stage. This indicates that the dolomites of the second Cu–Co stage precipitated from a high-temperature, host rock-buffered fluid, possibly under the influence of TSR. The dolomites associated with the first Cu–Co stage are characterized by significantly radiogenic Sr isotope signatures (0.70987 to 0.73576) that show a good correspondence with the Sr isotope signatures of the granitic basement rocks at an age of ca. 816 Ma. This indicates that the mineralizing fluid of the first Cu–Co stage has most likely leached radiogenic Sr and Cu–Co metals by interaction with the underlying basement rocks and/or with arenitic sedimentary rocks derived from such a basement. In contrast, the Sr isotope signatures (0.70883 to 0.71215) of the dolomites associated with the second stage show a good correspondence with the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.70723 to 0.70927) of poorly mineralized/barren host rocks at ca. 590 Ma. This indicates that the fluid of the second Cu–Co stage was likely a remobilizing fluid that significantly interacted with the country rocks and possibly did not mobilize additional metals from the basement rocks.     

Limitations in the use of compound-specific stable isotope analysis to understand the behaviour of a complex BTEX groundwater contamination near Brussels (Belgium)

The application of compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) was evaluated to characterise a complex groundwater contamination. For this purpose, δ¹³C and δ²H analysis of benzenes and alkylated derivatives were used to interpret both the impact of different sources on a contaminant plume and the presence of degradation processes. The different contaminant sources could be distinguished based on their combined δ¹³C–δ²H signature of the benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) dissolved in the groundwater. Despite this source differentiation, plume characterisation was not possible due to the complex mixing of the respective contaminant plumes. Furthermore, the original isotope signatures of the sources were not preserved across these plumes. To estimate the level of in situ biodegradation independently from concentration data, the Rayleigh equation was used. Although current literature identifies the application of CSIA as very promising in the frame of characterising organic groundwater pollution, this study has indicated that this approach can be limited with respect to successfully distinguish the different plumes and their relation to the known source zones.     

Do S-type granites commonly sample infracrustal sources? New results from an integrated O, U–Pb and Hf isotope study of zircon

In contrast to I-type granites, which commonly comprise infracrustal and supracrustal sources, S-type granites typically incorporate predominantly supracrustal sources. The initial aim of this study was to identify the sources of three Scottish Caledonian (~460 Ma) S-type granites (Kemnay, Cove and Nigg Bay) by conducting oxygen, U–Pb and Hf isotope analyses in zircon in order to characterise one potential end-member magma involved in the genesis of the voluminous late Caledonian (~430–400 Ma) I-type granites. Field, whole-rock geochemical and isotopic data are consistent with the generation of the S-type granites by melting their Dalradian Supergroup country rocks. While Hf isotope compositions of magmatic zircon, U–Pb data of inherited zircons, and high mean zircon δ¹⁸O values of 9.0 ± 2.7‰ (2SD) and 9.8 ± 2.0‰ for the Kemnay and Cove granites support this model, the Nigg Bay Granite contains zircons with much lower δ¹⁸O values (6.8 ± 2.1‰), similar to those found in Scottish I-type granites. This suggests that the Nigg Bay Granite contains low-δ¹⁸O material representing either altered supracrustal material, or more likely, an infracrustal source component with mantle-like δ¹⁸O. Mixing trends in plots of δ¹⁸O vs. εHf for S-type granite zircons indicate involvement of at least two sources in all three granites. This pilot study of Scottish Caledonian S-type granites demonstrates that, while field and whole-rock geochemical data are consistent with local melting of only supracrustal sources, the oxygen isotopic record stored in zircon reveals a much more complex petrogenetic evolution involving two or more magma sources.     

Determination of food web support and trophic position of the mummichog,Fundulus heteroclitus, in New Jersey smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), common reed (Phragmites australis), and restored salt marshes

The invasion ofPhragmites australis into tidal marshes formerly dominated bySpartina alterniflora has resulted in considerable interest in the consequences of this invasion for the ecological functions of marsh habitat. We examined the provision of trophic support for a resident marsh fish,Fundulus heteroclitus, in marshes dominated byP. australis, byS. alterniflora, and in restored marshes, using multiple stable isotope analysis. We first evaluated our ability to distinguish among potential primary producers using the multiple stable isotope approach. Within a tidal creek system we found significant marsh and elevation effects on microalgal isotope values, and sufficient variability and overlap in primary producer isotope values to create some difficulty in identifying unique end members. The food webs supportingF. heteroclitus production were examined using dual isotope plots. At both sites, the δ¹³C values ofF. heteroclitus were clustered over values for benthic microalgae (BMI) and approximately midway between δ¹³C values ofSpartina andPhragmites. Based on comparisons of fish and primary producer δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and δ³⁴S values, and consideration ofF. heteroclitus feeding habits, we conclude that BMI were a significant component of the food web supportingF. heteroclitus in these brackish marshes, especially recently-hatched fish occupying pools on the marsh surface. A 2‰ difference in δ¹³C betweenFundulus occupying nearly adjacentSpartina andPhragmites marshes may be indicative of relatively less reliance on BMI and greater reliance onPhragmites production inPhragmites-dominated marshes, a conclusion consistent with the reduced BMI biomass found inPhragmites marshes. The mean δ¹³C value ofF. heteroclitus from restored marshes was intermediate between values of fish from naturally occurringSpartina marshes and areas invaded byPhragmites. We also examined the isotopic evidence for ontogenetic changes in the trophic position of larval and juvenileF. heteroclitus. We found significant positive relationships betweenF. heteroclitus δ¹⁵N values and total length, reflective of an increase in trophic position as fish grow.F. heteroclitus δ¹⁵N values indicate that these fish are feeding approximately two trophic levels above primary producers.     

Spatial distribution characteristics of stable carbon isotope compositions in desert plant Reaumuria soongorica (Pall.) Maxim

In order to investigate the distribution characteristics of stable carbon isotope ratios (δ ¹³C) in the desert plant Reaumuria soongorica, the δ ¹³C values of leaves were measured in 407 individuals of 21 populations. Soil physicochemical properties including soil water content, soil total dissolved solids, soil total nitrogen, soil total phosphorus and soil organic content were also analyzed in order to survey the major factors influencing δ ¹³C values on spatial variation. Leaves and soil samples were simultaneously collected from the ten major distribution areas in Northwest China at altitudes from 394 m to 1 987 m above sea level, at latitudes from 36°10′N to 44°33′N, and at longitudes from 81°43′E to 106°37′E. These ten areas include Shihezi, Baicheng, Yiwu areas in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region; Anxi, Zhangye, Baiyin, Lanzhou areas in Gansu Province; Shapotou, Yinchuan areas in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region; and Alashan County in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The results show that the δ ¹³C value of R. soongorica ranges from −22.77‰ to −29.85‰ with an average of −26.52‰. Foliar d13C values in R. soongorica are not significantly correlated with altitude, latitude or longitude, and a spatial distribution trend of d13C values of R. soongorica is not obvious on a large scale. However, when d13C values of two R. soongorica populations under the same climate conditions are compared, δ ¹³C values increase obviously from east to west and from north to south. As none of the soil total dissolved solids, soil total nitrogen, soil total phosphorus, and soil organic content shows a uniform trend from east to west and from north to south, we suppose that the small-scaled spatial distribution pattern of δ ¹³C values of R. soongorica is mainly controlled by the soil water content. Translated from Quaternary Sciences, 2006, 26(6): 947–954 [译自: 第四纪研究]     

Research on the water use efficiency and foliar nutrient status of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus euphratica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tamarix ramosissima</Emphasis> in the extreme arid region of China

Seasonal variations in foliar stable carbon composition (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentrations of Populus euphratica Olivier and Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb, as well as correlations between foliar δ¹³C values and N, P and K concentrations were studied in the Ejina oasis in the lower reaches of the Heihe River, northwestern China. Foliar δ¹³C values, and P and K concentrations significantly differed between species. Foliar δ¹³C signatures in T. ramosissima were significantly more enriched than those in P. euphratica, but P and K concentrations of P. euphratica were higher. The seasonal variations and patterns of these were similar. The total foliar δ¹³C values and N, P and K concentrations in both P. euphratica and T. ramosissima showed a descending trend. There were significantly positive correlations between foliar δ¹³C values and N and P concentration of both P. euphratica and T. ramosissima. For the relationship between foliar δ¹³C and K concentration, there appeared oppositely positive and negative correlations in P. euphratica and T. ramosissima, respectively, but they were not significant. The simple positive correlations of δ¹³C–P% and δ¹³C–N% suggested that N and P in P. euphratica and T. ramosissima behave in a similar manner. This study also showed that there were nutrient deficiencies; N and P nutriments were the co-limiting factors in P. euphratica, while it was P nutriment in T. ramosissima.     

Magmatic zircon oxygen isotopes of 1.88–1.87 Ga orogenic and 1.65–1.54 Ga anorogenic magmatism in Finland

Summary Oxygen isotope ratios of igneous zircon from magmatic rocks in Finland provide insights into the evolution and growth of the Precambrian crust during the Svecofennian orogeny. These data preserve magmatic δ¹⁸O values and correlate with major discontinuities in the lower crust. Oxygen isotope ratios of zircon across the 1.88–1.87 Ga Central Finland granitoid complex (CFGC) range from 5.50‰ to 6.84‰, except for three plutons in contact with the adjacent greenstone and metasedimentary belts (δ¹⁸O(Zrc) = 7.60‰–7.78‰). There is a systematic variation in δ¹⁸O(Zrc) with respect to geographic location in the CFGC, ranging from 6.60±0.23‰ (σ) in the northeast to 5.90±0.40‰ in the west-southwest. These values correlate with a change in crustal thickness and shift in geochemical composition. The oxygen isotope composition of the 1.65–1.54 Ga rapakivi granites and related rocks in southern Finland show a decreasing trend from north to south, independent of their emplacement age. The southern anorogenic granite group has an average δ¹⁸O in zircon of 6.14±0.07‰ and the northern anorogenic group has an average δ¹⁸O in zircon of 8.14±0.59‰. This difference reflects the boundary between island arc terrains accreted during the Paleoproterozoic. Deceased     

Oxygen isotope constraints on the petrogenesis of the Sybille intrusion of the Proterozoic Laramie Anorthosite Complex

The origin of monzonitic intrusions that are associated with Proterozoic massif-type anorthosite complexes is controversial. A detailed oxygen isotope study of the Sybille intrusion, a monzonitic intrusion of the Laramie Anorthosite Complex (Wyoming), indicates that either derivation from a basaltic magma of mantle origin with a metasedimentary component (∼20%) incorporated early in its magmatic history, or a partial melt of lower crustal rocks is consistent with the data. The oxygen isotope compositions of plagioclase, pyroxene and zircon from the Sybille monzosyenite, the dominant rock type in the Sybille intrusion, were analyzed in order to establish the isotopic composition of the source of the magma. Plagioclase δ¹⁸O values range from 6.77 to 9.17‰. We interpret the higher plagioclase δ¹⁸O values (average 8.69 ± 0.30‰, n = 19) to be magmatic in origin, lower plagioclase δ¹⁸O values (average 7.51 ± 0.44‰, n = 22) to be the result of variable subsolidus alteration, and pyroxene δ¹⁸O values (average 6.34 ± 0.38‰, n = 19) to be the result of closed-system diffusional exchange during cooling. Low magnetic zircons, which have been shown to retain magmatic oxygen isotope values despite high grade metamorphism and extensive subsolidus hydrothermal alteration, have δ¹⁸O values (7.40 ± 0.24‰, n = 11) which are consistent with our interpretation of the plagioclase and pyroxene results. Oxygen isotope data from all three minerals indicate that the magmatic oxygen isotope composition of the Sybille intrusion is enriched in ¹⁸O relative to the composition of average or “normal” mantle-derived magmas. This enrichment is approximately twice the oxygen isotope enrichment that could result from closed-system fractionation, rendering a closed-system, comag- matic petrogenetic model between the Sybille intrusion and the mantle-derived anorthositic lithologies of the Laramie Anorthosite Complex improbable. Received: 7 April 1998 / Accepted: 19 January 1999