Sample acidification effects on carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios of macrofauna from a Zostera noltii bed
Anna-Maria Vafeiadou A C , Helena Adão B , Marleen De Troch A and Tom Moens A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Ghent University, Marine Biology Section, Department of Biology, Krijgslaan 281/ S8, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
B University of Évora, School of Sciences and Technology, Biology, CO- CIEMAR c/o NemaLab, Apartado 94, 7002-554 Évora, Portugal.
C Corresponding author. Email: am.vafeiadou@gmail.com
Marine and Freshwater Research 64(8) 741-745 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF12169
Submitted: 26 June 2012 Accepted: 4 April 2013 Published: 21 June 2013
Abstract
Acidification treatment has been used in most stable isotope studies to eliminate inorganic non-dietary carbon, allowing δ13C measurement of organic carbon needed for trophic studies. Because only limited information about the acidification effects on isotopic ratios exists in the literature, we provide an assessment of such effects for a wide range of benthic macroinvertebrates from estuarine intertidal sediments with sparse Zostera noltii Hornem. vegetation. Our results revealed only few significant δ13C shifts for macrobenthos; however, δ13C decrease after acidification was substantial for several species. We conclude that acidification is not necessary for removing calcium carbonate in a majority of macrobenthos, but we also suggest preliminary testing before deciding it can be omitted. The magnitude of the δ15N shifts was substantial for some species and variability in δ15N values of replicate acidified samples exceeded that of non-acidified samples. Therefore, sample acidification should be avoided for δ15N determination. Moreover, acidification effects vary considerably among species belonging to a single class, rendering generalisations from single-species information potentially spurious.
Additional keywords: decarbonation, inorganic carbon, macrobenthos, sample treatment, seagrass.
References
Barrow, L. M., Bjorndal, K. A., and Reich, K. (2008). Effects of preservation method on stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 81, 688–693.| Effects of preservation method on stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18752417PubMed |
Bock, M. J., and Miller, D. C. (1999). Particle selectivity, gut volume, and the response to a step change in diet for deposit-feeding polychaetes. Limnology and Oceanography 44, 1132–1138.
| Particle selectivity, gut volume, and the response to a step change in diet for deposit-feeding polychaetes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Boecklen, W. J., Yarnes, C. T., Cook, B. A., and James, A. C. (2011). On the use of stable isotopes in trophic ecology. Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics 42, 411–440.
| On the use of stable isotopes in trophic ecology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bosley, K. L., and Wainright, S. C. (1999). Effects of preservatives and acidification on stable isotope ratios (15N : 14N, 13C : 12C) of two species of marine animals. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 56, 2181–2185.
| Effects of preservatives and acidification on stable isotope ratios (15N : 14N, 13C : 12C) of two species of marine animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bunn, S. E., Loneragan, N. R., and Kempster, M. A. (1995). Effects of acid washing on stable isotope ratios of C and N in penaid shrimp and seagrass: implications for food web studies using multiple stable isotopes. Limnology and Oceanography 40, 622–625.
| Effects of acid washing on stable isotope ratios of C and N in penaid shrimp and seagrass: implications for food web studies using multiple stable isotopes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXotFGms7c%3D&md5=bf5892aa067affd093fa03bfce206e08CAS |
Carabel, S., Godínez-Domínguez, E., Verísmo, P., Fernández, L., and Freire, J. (2006). An assessment of sample processing methods for stable isotope analyses of marine food webs. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 336, 254–261.
| An assessment of sample processing methods for stable isotope analyses of marine food webs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XnsFyrtrk%3D&md5=7978af637aef3d97433eaed07287d5d8CAS |
Craig, H. (1953). The geochemistry of the stable carbon isotopes. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 3, 53–92.
| The geochemistry of the stable carbon isotopes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaG3sXktV2muw%3D%3D&md5=9eefe8a983ed3d0b1de4b39573b216f9CAS |
DeNiro, M. J., and Epstein, S. (1978). Influence of diet on the distribution of carbon isotopes in animals. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 42, 495–506.
| Influence of diet on the distribution of carbon isotopes in animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE1cXls1WrsbY%3D&md5=9bb120bc0314d4dea673eae40c4bb282CAS |
Fantle, M. S., Dittel, A. I., Schwalm, S. M., Epifanio, C. E., and Fogel, M. L. (1999). A food web analysis of the juvenile blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, using stable isotopes in whole animals and individual amino acids. Oecologia 120, 416–426.
| A food web analysis of the juvenile blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, using stable isotopes in whole animals and individual amino acids.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Goering, J., Alexander, V., and Haubenstock, N. (1990). Seasonal variability of stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of organisms in a North Pacific Bay. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 30, 239–260.
| Seasonal variability of stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of organisms in a North Pacific Bay.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3cXltlyjurw%3D&md5=156ced950102fb8a25f3ec51730ad42fCAS |
Jacob, U., Mintenbeck, K., Brey, T., Knust, R., and Beyer, K. (2005). Stable isotope food web studies: a case for standardized sample treatment. Marine Ecology Progress Series 287, 251–253.
| Stable isotope food web studies: a case for standardized sample treatment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jaschinski, S., Hansen, T., and Sommer, U. (2008). Effects of acidification in multiple stable isotope analyses. Limnology and Oceanography, Methods 6, 12–15.
| Effects of acidification in multiple stable isotope analyses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXlslejur0%3D&md5=bf6381eca427e434ccb3de81cdafcb4fCAS |
Kang, C. K., Kim, J. B., Lee, K. S., Kim, J. B., Lee, P. Y., and Hong, J. S. (2003). Trophic importance of benthic microalgae to macrozoobenthos in coastal bay systems in Korea: dual stable C and N isotope analyses. Marine Ecology Progress Series 259, 79–92.
| Trophic importance of benthic microalgae to macrozoobenthos in coastal bay systems in Korea: dual stable C and N isotope analyses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXpvVCqurw%3D&md5=6145d4be503cc0dfb9e1301a671b12adCAS |
Kennedy, P., Kennedy, H., and Papadimitriou, S. (2005). The effect of acidification on the determination of organic carbon, total nitrogen and their stable isotopic composition in algae and marine sediment. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 19, 1063–1068.
| The effect of acidification on the determination of organic carbon, total nitrogen and their stable isotopic composition in algae and marine sediment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXjslGqsL4%3D&md5=cf96c3a71716369c51881d1f429b3f1aCAS | 15776498PubMed |
Kolasinski, J., Rogers, K., and Frouin, P. (2008). Effects of acidification on carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes of benthic macrofauna from a tropical coral reef. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 22, 2955–2960.
| Effects of acidification on carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes of benthic macrofauna from a tropical coral reef.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXht1Sgu7nE&md5=2fb5b92dd4ea129b6accd756fadcba29CAS | 18727162PubMed |
Mateo, M. A., Serrano, O., Serrano, L., and Michener, R. H. (2008). Effects of sample preparation on stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen in marine invertebrates: implications for food web studies using stable isotopes. Oecologia 157, 105–115.
| Effects of sample preparation on stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen in marine invertebrates: implications for food web studies using stable isotopes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18465146PubMed |
Murtaugh, P. A. (1984). Variable gut residence time: problems in inferring feeding rate from stomach fullness of a mysid crustacean. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 41, 1287–1293.
| Variable gut residence time: problems in inferring feeding rate from stomach fullness of a mysid crustacean.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ng, J. S. S., Wai, T.-C., and Williams, G. A. (2007). The effects of acidification on the stable isotope signatures of marine algae and molluscs. Marine Chemistry 103, 97–102.
| The effects of acidification on the stable isotope signatures of marine algae and molluscs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhtlWqu7bE&md5=9ed41ef3494010a02cc87854aceaab8dCAS |
Peterson, B. J., and Fry, B. (1987). Stable isotopes in ecosystem studies. Annual Review of Ecology Evolution and Systematics 18, 293–320.
| Stable isotopes in ecosystem studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pinnegar, J. K., and Polunin, N. V. C. (1999). Differential fractionation of δ13C and δ15N among fish tissue: implications for the study of trophic interactions. Functional Ecology 13, 225–231.
| Differential fractionation of δ13C and δ15N among fish tissue: implications for the study of trophic interactions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ryba, S., and Burgess, R. (2002). Effects of sample preparation on the measurement of organic carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen concentrations in marine sediments. Chemosphere 48, 139–147.
| Effects of sample preparation on the measurement of organic carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen concentrations in marine sediments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XjvVGjurw%3D&md5=3ca9b174fb895a2fa6bb4def27002be8CAS | 12137051PubMed |
Sarakinos, H. C., Johnson, M. L., and Vander Zanden, M. J. (2002). A synthesis of tissue-preservation effects on carbon and nitrogen stable isotope signatures. Canadian Journal of Zoology 80, 381–387.
| A synthesis of tissue-preservation effects on carbon and nitrogen stable isotope signatures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schubert, C. J., and Nielsen, B. (2000). Effects of decarbonation treatments on δ13C values in marine sediments. Marine Chemistry 72, 55–59.
| Effects of decarbonation treatments on δ13C values in marine sediments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXmtVamsbg%3D&md5=754d67a613d88abfc278b31804e6873aCAS |
Serrano, O., Serrano, L., Mateo, M. A., Colombini, I., Chelazzi, L., Gagnarli, E., and Fallaci, M. (2008). Acid washing effect on elemental and isotopic composition of whole beach arthropods: implications for food web studies using stable isotopes. Acta Oecologica 34, 89–96.
| Acid washing effect on elemental and isotopic composition of whole beach arthropods: implications for food web studies using stable isotopes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Søreide, J. E., Tamelander, T., Hop, H., Hobson, K. A., and Johansen, I. (2006). Sample preparation effects on stable C and N isotope values: a comparison of methods in Arctic marine food web studies. Marine Ecology Progress Series 328, 17–28.
| Sample preparation effects on stable C and N isotope values: a comparison of methods in Arctic marine food web studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Yokoyama, H., Tamaki, A., Harada, K., Shimoda, K., Koyama, K., and Ishihi, Y. (2005). Variability of diet-tissue isotopic fractionation in estuarine macrobenthos. Marine Ecology Progress Series 296, 115–128.
| Variability of diet-tissue isotopic fractionation in estuarine macrobenthos.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXhtFSktbvO&md5=af19ce192a2c96cf046acae20306c2a0CAS |
