渤海及北黄海河流悬浮颗粒碳氮同位素时空分布及源解析

选择流入渤海和北黄海的36条主要河流为研究对象,对比了平水期、丰水期和枯水期水体中悬浮颗粒物和河流表层沉积物的碳和氮稳定同位素的地球化学特征,并对颗粒物有机质碳和氮来源进行分析。结果表明,水体悬浮有机质碳同位素总体上表现为δ13C平水期δ13C丰水期δ13C枯水期的特点,δ15N值呈δ15N丰水期δ15N平水期δ15N枯水期的特点。渤海和北黄海的主要入海河流悬浮颗粒物有机质的来源具有明显的季节性差异,悬浮颗粒有机质碳平水期(春秋季)来源以C3植物、土壤有机质和水生藻类为主,丰水期(夏季)碳的各来源中浮游植物的贡献率明显增大,枯水期(冬季)则表现为陆源C3植物分解和水源性有机质的混合来源;悬浮颗粒态氮的来源与季节性降水量、生活污水、合成化肥及河流内源性水生植物密切相关。     

基于水淘选分级的长江口最大浑浊带附近颗粒有机碳的来源、分布和保存

从分粒级的角度研究大河河口颗粒有机碳的输送特征是深刻理解河口淡咸水混合过程中有机碳的生物地球化学过程的关键。于2011年6月采集了长江口最大浑浊带附近盐度梯度下的表层悬浮颗粒物,采用水淘选方法对其按照水动力直径大小进行了分级分离,分析了这些颗粒物的有机碳含量、稳定碳同位素组成及颗粒物比表面积等参数,讨论了不同粒级颗粒物上有机碳的来源、分布和保存随盐度的变化特点及其影响因素。结果表明,随着盐度的增加和粒径的增大,长江口最大浑浊带附近分级颗粒有机碳逐渐降低,颗粒有机碳含量主要集中在小于32μm的粒级。相对于长江干流,长江口颗粒有机碳含量偏低,可能归因于河口最大浑浊带附近特殊的生物地球化学作用,如细颗粒物絮凝——沉降、微生物分解等。基于蒙特卡洛模拟的三端元混合模型的计算表明长江口分级颗粒有机碳主要来源于河流和三角洲输入,海洋来源贡献较小,三者的平均贡献比例分别为40%、35%和25%。在河口盐度梯度的淡水端,不同粒级颗粒物上三角洲来源的有机碳比例均随着盐度升高而增加,而在咸水端,海源有机碳的贡献比例升高,尤其是在16-32μm粒级,最高达39%。32-63μm粒级的颗粒物单位比表面积有机碳含量均大于1.0mg/m~2,小于32μm的颗粒物单位比表面积有机碳含量均在0.4-1.0mg/m~2的范围之内,符合河流颗粒物的一般特点,同时也说明细颗粒物上的有机碳可能已经发生了一定程度的分解,不过相对于长江口表层沉积物,颗粒物单位比表面积有机碳含量普遍较高,表明这些颗粒有机碳在沉降过程中或沉积之后还要经历进一步的再矿化分解,初步的估算表明,长江所输送的陆源有机碳约71%会在沉积过程中损失掉。本研究有助于深入了解大河河口不同粒级颗粒物在有机碳迁移转化过程中的作用,深化对高浊度河口有机碳生物地球化学过程的认识。     

龙口屺(山母)岛海区重矿物分布——泥砂运移趋势

通过本海区156个表层沉积样品和主要河流自然重砂的鉴定分析,掌握了本区重矿物的分布规律。主要矿物有角闪石、绿帘石、金属矿物;标志性矿物有屑石、石榴石、辉石和自生黄铁矿。根据主要矿物和标志诖矿物含量变化及分布特征,划分五个矿物组合区,各组合区矿物组合特征指明了海区物质来源及泥沙运移趋势。海区物质主要来源于河流,除此,少量的物质来源于岛岸海蚀物质和特殊海区的化学或生物化学沉积。     

鲈鱼新陈代谢过程中的碳氮稳定同位素分馏作用

利用天然存在的碳氮稳定同位素作为示踪剂，研究了在受控条件下驯养的鲈鱼的新陈代谢过程中不同生态因子(水温、摄食水平、体重等)对鲈鱼体内不同组织的碳氮稳定同位素组成的影响。通过鲈鱼新陈代谢过程中的稳定同位素分馏作用，研究了在生态系统食物网中的物质与能量转换规律。     

南黄海表层沉积物微量元素地球化学特征

分析了在南黄海采集的295个站位的表层沉积物样品的微量元素含量和500个站位的粒度参数,研究了南黄海沉积物微量元素含量、平均粒径和判别函数的分布特征及微量元素、沉积物类型和平均粒径的相关性。南黄海沉积物微量元素分布由于物质来源和与沉积物类型相关性的不同,表现出明显不同的分布规律:Sr分布与黄河、长江和生物碎屑碳酸盐的贡献有明显关系;Ba分布与黄河、锦江物质供给有关;东部Rb元素分布反映了韩国河流沉积物对南黄海东部的影响;Co分布反映了长江物质的运移方向。Ba和Cu与沉积物类型相关性不明显,不受沉积物粒度控制;Sr、Co、Rb则可以用于区分黄河、长江和韩国河流沉积物的来源。     

基于碳、氮稳定同位素分析中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)幼蟹溯河洄游期食物来源变化

中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheirsinensis)是我国重要的渔业捕捞和水产养殖对象,但野生中华绒螯蟹溯河洄游过程中的摄食生态尚不明确。本论文以长江野生中华绒螯蟹为研究对象,沿其洄游路线设置3个采样区域,采集不同发育时期的幼体及其潜在的食物来源等样品。通过对比分析幼体及食源样品的碳、氮稳定同位素特征,对中华绒螯蟹溯河洄游期的食物组成及变化进行探讨。结果发现,从大眼幼体到幼蟹,碳稳定同位素(δ~(13)C)呈现逐渐变轻的趋势,氮稳定同位素(δ~(15)N)呈现逐渐变重的趋势。表明中华绒螯蟹从大眼幼体到幼蟹的发育过程中,随着幼体不断向上游江段回溯,食物中陆源物质的比例逐渐增大,食物来源由浮游性食物向底栖性食物转变,且营养级逐渐增高。综合分析证明,在生境多样化、食物来源复杂的河流生态系统中,δ~(13)C值呈现的是食物来源的区域性和特异性,可以识别中华绒螯蟹洄游过程中的食源变化。δ~(15)N值虽受到区域氮源以及生物地球化学过程的影响,仍能体现幼体发育过程中营养级的差异。     

南黄海夏季海水中悬浮体的研究

南黄海夏季表层海水中悬浮体的高值区出现在苏北近岸一带,测得的最高值为7.57mg/L,其次是长江口和调查区的北部.低值区大面积分布在调查区的中部和山东半岛以南,悬浮体含量小于0.5mg/L.远岸的悬浮体垂向分布中有一个极为明显的分层性.在长江口外的悬浮体分布中可看到台湾暖流的影响,它的存在限制了长江入海物质的向东扩散.尽管7月是黄河和长江的丰水期,大量物质被携带入海,但还未能构成悬浮体的主要来源.其主要来源是沉积物的再悬浮,其次才是河流携入的物质,海水中的生物组分居三.现代河流入海物质的影响范围主要是调查区南北两端.在深水区,温度、盐度跃层的形成限制了底层悬浮体向上扩散.海水中物质的运移主要在海水底层进行,以悬浮-沉积-再悬浮-再沉积的方式进行着物质的运移和交换.     

珠江口外近海沉积有机质化学及稳定同位素组成的早期成岩改变

理解早期成岩过程中有机质的化学和同位素分馏对于研究海洋和湖泊环境中的生物地球化学过程是很重要的。将珠江口外近海生物成因有机质分为可水解氨基酸、碳水化合物、脂类和酸不溶四个部分,分析了有机质的化学和同位素组成(δ13C,δ15N),借以讨论沉积有机质在埋藏的早期成岩过程中所发生的化学和同位素改变,结果表明,从浮游生物→悬浮颗粒物→表层沉积物→沉积柱内部,易降解组分可水解氨基酸、碳水化合物、脂类占样品总有机碳的份额依次降低。沉积物及四个有机部分的稳定碳同位素组成在纵向上随深度保持相对恒定,而在不同有机部分之间差异明显。不同类型有机物的分解速率差异在改变有机质化学成分的同时,导致其δ13C发生小幅度负向漂移;细菌有机质的形成和分解对有机质化学成分和同位素组成演化也有重要贡献,并且在一定程度上抵消了上述δ13C的负向漂移,其结果导致沉积有机质的δ13C略低于浮游生物;另一方面,由于异养菌生长过程中的氮同位素分馏系数与可利用氮源的特征和培养基的性质等多种因素有关,导致沉积物的δ15N变化范围增大。在这里δ13C可以可靠地指示该海域沉积有机质的来源,而δ15N变化范围较大且规律不明显,难以用作沉积有机质来源的指示。     

环渤海地区河流河口及海洋表层沉积物有机质特征和来源

2013年8月采集了环渤海地区35条主要河流河口表层沉积物样品,12月采集了渤海与北黄海24个表层沉积物样品,分析了其生物地球化学指标:总有机碳(TOC)、总氮(TN)、有机碳同位素(δ13C)和氮同位素(δ15N),探讨该区域表层沉积物有机质特征及组成。研究表明:河流河口表层沉积物有机碳同位素(δ13C)值在–26.4‰—–21.8‰,平均值为–24.5‰;渤海表层沉积物有机碳同位素(δ13C)值在–23.8‰—–21.7‰,平均值为–22.3‰。河口表层沉积物TOC含量在0.06%—3.87%,平均值为1.31%;渤海表层沉积物TOC含量在0.52%—2.09%,平均值为1.08%。河流δ13C富集较轻,偏向陆源;海洋δ13C富集较重,偏向水生有机质来源。河流河口表层沉积物的δ13C值差异较明显,最大值与最小值相差4.6‰,但是流域地理位置距离近的河流δ13C值差异不大。河流河口表层沉积物δ15N在1.5‰—10.2‰,平均值为5.5‰;渤海表层沉积物δ15N在4.4‰—5.6‰,平均值为5.0‰。河流表层沉积物δ15N范围比渤海表层沉积物δ15N范围广,原因是河流受陆源有机物影响,且陆源有机物来源差异大。海洋表层沉积物δ15N相对均一,说明海洋表层沉积物δ15N受物源影响较小,体现了水体中有机质的转化和微生物活动对氮同位素的影响。本研究中表层沉积物的δ13C与δ15N没有明显的相关性,也体现了陆源有机质输入的影响。根据经典的二元模式计算,35条河流陆源有机质的贡献比例范围为10%—90%,平均值为60%;渤海陆源贡献比例范围为10%—50%,平均值为20%。河流有机质的来源以陆源有机质为主,水生有机质为辅。渤海有机质的来源以水生有机质为主,环渤海河流的陆源输入也有重要贡献。需要指出的是,有机碳同位素(δ13C)、氮同位素(δ15N)和Corg/Ntotal对有机质来源判别有一定局限性,虽然稳定同位素有示踪性,然而其成分仍然不可避免地受到生物地球化学等过程的改造,在使用稳定同位素技术示踪物源时,须小心谨慎。     

中国东部陆架海沉积有机碳研究进展：来源、输运与埋藏

大河影响下的河口陆架区陆海相互作用活跃,是有机碳的主要沉积区,在全球碳的生物地球化学循环中发挥着重要作用。中国东部陆架海包括渤海、黄海和东海陆架,黄河和长江两条大河直接流入该区。从有机碳来源、输运和埋藏保存等方面总结介绍了近年来中国东部陆架海沉积有机碳源汇过程的研究进展。研究表明,土壤有机碳和海洋初级生产力是本区沉积有机碳的主要来源;有机分子标志物和多元统计分析模型的综合应用能更准确地评估近海沉积有机碳的源汇特征;陆架泥质区是长江和黄河陆源沉积有机碳的重要储库;河流输入、沉积再悬浮和远距离物质输运等沉积动力过程显著影响着本区不同来源、不同类型陆源沉积有机碳的输运和归宿;大河物质输入、海洋初级生产力以及陆架沉积作用共同支撑着该区较高的有机碳埋藏能力。本区的研究今后需要从海陆结合的地球系统科学的角度,从整体上研究沉积作用过程与有机碳迁移转化的影响机制和响应关系;结合我国东部陆架海特有的沉积物源汇体系特征,揭示从流域到近海物质输运体系中不同来源有机碳的年龄分布和归宿,并在气候变化和人类活动影响日益显著的背景下,探究不同时空尺度沉积有机碳的输运和埋藏保存及其对大气CO2和全球变化的影响和意义。     

夏季大亚湾悬浮颗粒有机物碳、氮同位素组成及其物源指示

2015年夏季开展了大亚湾悬浮颗粒有机物碳（POC）、氮含量（PN）及其同位素组成的研究,结果表明,δ13C_POC和δ15N_PN的变化范围分别为-25.7‰~-17.4‰和-6.3‰~10.4‰,平均值分别为-20.2‰和8.2‰。大亚湾悬浮颗粒有机物含量及其碳氮同位素组成的空间变化反映了不同有机质来源的影响:喜洲岛附近海域表现出高POC、PN、δ13C_POC和δ15N_PN的特征,指征着浮游植物水华的主导贡献;东北部范和港附近海域具有高POC、PN、低δ13C_POC和高δ15N_PN的特征,反映了河流/河口水生有机物的影响;湾顶白寿湾附近海域的δ13C_POC和δ15N_PN出现低值,体现了陆源有机质和人类污水排放的影响。借助δ13C_POC和δ15N_PN的三端元混合模型,定量出海洋自生有机质、陆源有机质、河流/河口水生有机质等3个来源的贡献平均分别为70%、13%和17%,其中海洋自生有机质是夏季大亚湾悬浮颗粒有机物的最主要来源。从这3种来源颗粒有机物含量的空间变化看,海洋自生有机质含量由湾内向湾外减少,与初级生产力的空间变化相对应;河流/河口水生有机质含量在大亚湾东北部出现高值;陆源有机质含量在表、底层出现不同态势,表层陆源有机物含量在湾中部海域最低,而底层则呈现出自湾内向湾口增加的趋势,主要受控于离岸距离和珠江冲淡水、粤东沿岸上升流输送的影响。     

Variations in paleoproductivity and the environmental implications over the past six decades in the Changjiang Estuary

Total organic carbon and organic carbon stable isotope, biogenic silica, chlorin were measured from a high resolution sediment core to indicate the variation in paleoproductivity and the environmental implications over the past decades (1942 to 1997) in the Changjiang Estuary. Based on these biomarkers, the shift in the phytoplankton community structure in the past decades was discussed in response to the long-term variations in nutrient concentrations and nutrient ratios. The results showed that the δ 13 C values varied from –26.15‰ to –19.5‰, suggesting the combined organic carbon sources of riverine and marine organisms. Based on the biogenic proxies, paleoproductivity changes were categorized into three stages: low production before 1950; an increase in production with the dominance of diatoms during 1950 to 1980, consistent with increasing of nutrient concentrations; a decrease in production after 1980 when the diatom production decreased while the production of non-silicious phytoplankton increased due to high nutrient inputs, and high N/P and P/Si ratios in the Changjiang Estuary. The sedimentation records also indicated that the riverine organic carbon increased since 1980.     

长江口外赤潮多发区近几十年来的古生产力记录及环境意义

选取长江口外赤潮多发区沉积物柱状样,在高分辨率测年基础上,通过有机碳、有机碳同位素(δ13C)、生物硅、绿素等多项指标的分析获得了调查海区古生产力的变化信息。并结合近几十年来营养盐浓度及组成结构的变化探讨了海洋浮游藻类组成结构的变化在海洋古环境中的记录。柱状样年代可追溯到20世纪40年代初。δ13C值在柱中的分布为-26.15×10-3~-19.5×10-3,表明有机碳为陆源与海生的混合。生物标志物在柱状样中的分布可大致分为三个阶段,50年代以前含量均较低;50年代至80年代含量均增加,表明海洋浮游藻类活动强烈且以硅藻为主,与此阶段长江口营养盐浓度迅速增加相对应;80年代以后,生物硅的含量下降至整个柱中最低水平,绿素有所降低,但高于50年代前的水平,而有机碳含量增加,表明在该时段硅藻生物量降低,其他藻类生物量有所增加,这与长江口营养盐氮盐持续增加而硅酸盐逐年降低、氮与磷的含量比值、磷与硅的含量比值迅速增大有关。沉积记录还表明此阶段陆源有机碳的贡献增强。     

Sources and distributions of terrigenous organic matter in a mangrove fringed small tropical estuary in South China

The sources and distributions of terrigenous organic matter (OM) were investigated in a small tropical estuary in the Hainan Island, South China. Plants, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and surface sediments samples in the estuary and coast were collected. Bulk properties [organic carbon (OC%), total nitrogen (TN%), stable carbon isotope (δ13C) and grain size] and lignin phenol concentrations were measured. OC% of mangrove plants was (43.4 ± 2.1)%, which is similar to the values reported for mangrove plants in other regions. OC% of sediment samples ranged from 0.07% to 1.42%, and they were related to the sediment texture. Lignin phenols in the sediment ranged from 5.16 mg/100 mg OC in the uppermost station to 0.51mg/100mg OC in the coast. The molar ratio of organic carbon to total nitrogen (C/N) (～7) and δ 13 C (～-31.1×10-3 ) of riverine SPM revealed that the major OM sources of riverine SPM were aquatic OM (phytoplankton and/or bacteria). Moreover, the lower lignin concentration (Λ8) and higher (Ad/Al)v of lignin phenols suggest that terrestrial OM in riverine SPM were mainly from soil. Furthermore, C/N ratio, δ13C and lignin phenols reveal that mangrove plants were the predominant OM sources of mangrove surface sediment. Based on the δ13C and lignin phenols, it can be concluded that the major OM sources in estuarine and coastal surface sediments were marine phytoplankton, riverine SPM and mangrove surface sediment. In addition, the higher (Ad/Al)v of lignin phenols in those coastal sediments indicate that seagrass might be a potential OM source in coastal sediments, however, the lower (Ad/Al)v in the estuarine sediments in turn suggests that seagrass could not be transported to the mangrove fringed region. A three-end-member model which is based on lignin concentrations and δ13C was applied to evaluate the contribution of mangroves to the organic matter preserved in the surface sediments. Around the mangrove fringed region, mangrove could contribute more than 50% to the sedimentary OM, and this value is much higher than riverine OM. Nevertheless, mangrove OM could not be efficiently transported to the coastal region. Our study suggests that mangrove forest is an important OM source in this small estuary.     

Riverine dominance of a nearshore marine demersal food web: evidence from stable isotope and C/N ratio analysis

The Thukela Bank, KwaZulu-Natal, supports a diverse ecosystem and South Africa’s only prawn fishery. Oceanographic studies suggest riverine input is not important for the biology of this system, whereas biological studies suggest the contrary, with prawn catches increasing with increased fluvial run-off. The aim of this study was to determine (i) the importance of riverine and marine organic matter for the Thukela Bank food web; and (ii) whether there are seasonal changes in the Thukela River stable isotope values, and, if so, whether these are reflected in the isotope values of demersal organisms. Estuarine organic matter, sediments and demersal organisms were collected from several sites across the bank in the wet and dry seasons of 2008, 2009 and 2010. Marine particulate organic matter was also collected in 2010 and analysed for δ13C and δ15N, as well as C/N ratios. There were strong seasonal changes in isotopic values of organic matter and fauna, especially faunal δ13C. There was an apparent time-lag in organisms assimilating riverine organic matter isotopic values, with the isotopic signature of demersal organisms reflecting that of riverine organic matter from the previous season, which is likely the result of tissue turnover time. In 2010, Thukela Bank sediment organic matter was of riverine origin and this maintained the demersal food web. We conclude that Thukela River organic matter is an important input to the food web of the Thukela Bank, indicating that any future damming of the catchment area could have serious consequences for this ecosystem.     

Origin of sedimentary organic matter in the north-western Adriatic Sea

In order to evaluate the origin and the transformation of organic matter on the shallow shelf of the NW Adriatic Sea, organic carbon, total nitrogen and stable isotope ratios of organic carbon were analysed in riverine suspended matter and sediments as well as in marine suspended and sedimentary organic matter, in marine phytoplankton and zooplankton.The deposition of organic matter is influenced by fine sediment concentration. Surface sediments were characterised by highly variable biogeochemical conditions on the sea floor, whereas sub-surface sediments showed a more homogeneous hypoxic/anoxic environment.Low C_org/N ratio and high organic carbon and nitrogen concentrations in riverine suspended organic matter indicate an important contribution of freshwater phytoplankton within rivers, particularly during low flow regimes, which adds to the marine phyto- and zooplankton at shelf locations.In order to evaluate the importance of terrestrial, riverine and marine sources of OM in shelf sediments, a three end-member mixing model was applied to shelf surface sediments using ¹³C/¹²C values for organic matter and N/C ratios. The model showed an elevated contribution of terrestrial organic substances at intermediate depths (10–15 m), mostly corresponding to an area of coarser grain-size, whereas the riverine and marine organic fractions were mainly accumulating near the coast and offshore, respectively.     

长江口海域悬浮颗粒有机物的稳定氮同位素季节分布与关键生物地球化学过程

对2010年2、5、8、11月份长江口海域水体中的悬浮颗粒物进行稳定氮同位素分析。根据不同季节、不同区域内悬浮颗粒有机物的稳定氮同位素组成(δ15 Np)值的变化研究水体中氮的迁移、转化等生物地球化学过程,揭示其环境行为,从而对该海域的氮循环机制进行探索。研究发现:长江口海域悬浮颗粒物的稳定氮同位素组成具有较宽的分布范围,δ15 Np值分布范围为-1.1‰~8.6‰,具有明显的时空分布特点,反映了不同程度的陆源输入和氮的生物地球化学过程的影响。其中,2月份生物反应较弱,δ15 Np分布体现了陆源和海源的混合特征;5月和11月份上层水体δ15 Np随叶绿素a升高而降低,指示了生物的同化吸收作用;8月和11月δ15 Np和总溶解无机氮呈现极显著正相关关系,说明该海域发生了氮的矿化再生。     

Spatial variation in organic matter utilization by benthic communities from Yura River–Estuary to offshore of Tango Sea,Japan

We investigated the distribution of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N of organic matter among benthic communities from the upper estuary of Yura River to offshore of Tango Sea, Japan, to determine spatial variation in utilization of organic matter by benthic communities. The δ¹³C values of benthic animals ranged from −27 to −15‰ in the upper estuary, −21 to −15‰ in the lower estuary, −20 to −16‰ in the shallow coast (5–10 m depths), −18 to −16‰ in the deep coast (30–60 m depths) and −19 to −15‰ in offshore (100–150 m depths) stations. Adapting the dual isotope values to mixing models, we estimated the relative contributions of potential food sources to the benthos diet. Phytoplankton and macroalgae that intruded the estuary in summer were utilized as alternative food aside from the terrestrial-origin organic matter assimilated by the estuarine benthic consumers. Resuspended benthic microalgae were important source of energy in the shallow coastal stations, while abundant supply of phytodetritus fueled the deep coastal and offshore benthic food webs. Spatial difference in the diet of benthic communities depends largely on the shifts in the primary carbon source. Thus, benthic communities are important link of autochthonous/allochthonous production and secondary production in the continuous river–estuary–marine system.     

The Effect of Temporal Changes and Environmental Trophic Condition on the Isotopic Composition (ω13C and ω15N) of Atherina boyeri (Risso, 1810) and Gobius niger (L., 1758) in a Mediterranean Coastal Lagoon (Lake of Sabaudia): Implications for Food Web Structure

Abstract. ω¹³C and ω¹⁵N of organic matter sources and consumers were employed to analyse trophic differentiation between a benthic consumer, Gobius niger (L., 1758) (Pisces, Osteichthyes), and a pelagic consumer, Atherina boyeri (Risso, 1810) (Pisces, Osteichthyes) in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon (Lake of Sabaudia) in winter and summer 1999. Trophic differences between the two species throughout the two sampling periods were related to the environmental trophic condition (i. e. nutrient and phytopigment concentrations). Although these two fish have different habitats, they both exploited benthic organisms, above all in summer. When the nutrient and phytopigment concentrations were higher (summer), the most abundant benthic organisms were the main food sources for both species. In winter A. boyeri apparently shifted its feeding preferences to include zooplankton, confirming its opportunistic feeding strategy. Par-ticulate organic matter and algae seemed to play the main trophic role in the food web structure. Benthic invertebrates used both sources, while zooplankton seemed to rely exclusively on the particulate fraction. The overlapping and very depleted signatures of sedimentary and particulate organic matter highlights a strong link between sediments and water column, rarely observed in other aquatic ecosystems using stable isotopes. Such a finding further substantiates the importance of particulate organic matter as a food source in the study area.